section break issue in Word Solved

Question

Hello,

I have a small problem with section breaks in Word. I am currently writing my thesis and I need to insert two columns in a normal text, then continue with normal text afterwards. To do this, I create section breaks, but the problem is that when I request continuous section breaks, the subsequent text is still placed on the next page, which results in a page with the two-column text (which should generally only occupy a quarter of a page), leaving almost a blank page while the introduction and the following text are on the previous and next pages. How can I insert columns in the middle of a page and continue with standard text? Should I not choose "continuous page break" but something else? Or is there a bug in Word regarding this?
Thank you in advance! I have just spent three hours trying everything and I have no solutions. Unfortunately, I must insert these columns; I cannot choose another layout.

Namaryllis

Configuration: Mac OS X Firefox 1.5.0.7

Raymond PENTIER · Accepted Answer

Hello, namaryllis (what a beautiful username!)

Try modifying the breaks:
Select the entire document [Ctrl+A] and go to Format/Paragraph/Breaks, then uncheck the 4 Pagination boxes.
With a little (a lot) of luck, this could solve your problem.
Best wishes.
--
A retiree in the sunshine of the Caribbean :-)
Raymond

fourvin · Answer

Yes, there can be bugs: in particular, the multi-column layout may introduce a difference in margin/page width, which Word cannot do on the same page, so it forces the shift to the next one.

Check if the margins imposed by the multi-column layout (Format > Columns, I believe) are leaving the same outer margins (left and right) as those defined in the previous section.

If necessary, adjust the column margins to obtain the correct left and right margins of the page, then go to File > Page Setup, last tab, and reimpose that the section be continuous. In principle, it should work!

namaryllis · Answer

Hello, hello!!!

I’m back. I had rewritten a message but I don’t know where it went. I must have made a mistake! Thank you very much for your two responses but to my great regret!!! It didn’t work.
I’m going to try to clarify because here’s the real problem now. I am writing a thesis where I need to insert, among a normal critical text, a comparison between a Latin poem and a French poem. Then I continue with my normal writing. I’d like it to look something like this:

"writing of the normal critical text and introduction of the two poems:
***
Left column for the Latin text Right column for the French text
... ....
.... ....
.... ....
....
.... (French text often + longer than Latin)
And a completely normal continuation of my writing with an analysis of the texts I just mentioned"

The problem lies at the *** since despite a continuous section break to introduce the columns, they automatically place on the next page (leaving a gap often too long to be subtle!). But the text following the columns places itself as I want. So there! I really don’t understand what’s going on!

Do you have any idea? I really don’t know what to do!

namaryllis · Answer

Well, I'm sorry the post didn't take the layout I provided to illustrate the issue, so I'll simplify it because otherwise, I don't think it's very clear. The desired layout is:

1. Normal text across the entire width of the page then:
2. Left column / Right column
3. And finally a return to normal text across the entire width

When I finish 1 and move on to 2, Word automatically changes the page, and that's not right!

I hope this is a bit clearer!

fourvin · Answer

It's indeed clearer with these explanations, which allows me to advise you to drop the columns, as they will complicate your life in terms of both balancing and the overall layout.

It will be much simpler and more flexible to use a one-row table with 2 columns: you put the Latin in the left cell, the French in the right cell, and you continue with your normal text outside the table. You will then have no more problems with sections, no more margin issues, and your French text can be as long as necessary, which will push back the start of the normal text.

If during the translation you need to realign the Latin and French, meaning that the same text starts on the same line, you create a new table row (place yourself on the last cell in the bottom right, then press the tab key).

lolée · Answer

Indeed, the simplest thing is to insert a table with 2 columns and 1 row! Then, drag the Latin text into the left cell and drag the French text into the other cell of the table. For the presentation, remove the borders except for the one in the middle!

Good luck!!!...

namaryllis · Answer

Here's a great idea.
My thesis director asked me to arrange it in columns and I, without a second thought, started looking to make columns!
Well, I just made a table and it looks very good!!! I hadn't even thought of that!!! When it's actually much simpler!
As an apprentice researcher, I’m a bit frustrated not to understand the why and how of my section jumps that aren't working, but after a few hours on it, I give up! It's not the first time I won't unravel the mystery of computing!!! I shouldn't have insisted but been clever!!!
Thank you very much for the valuable advice. I'll finally be able to continue!

Raymond PENTIER · Answer

namaryllis,  while rereading your initial request more carefully (I should have done it right from my first intervention), I notice that in the 7th line you mention the command "continuous page break," which does not exist; but in line 3 you do refer to "continuous section break." I suppose you are using Word 2003? Then make sure to execute the following sequence: * Insert/Break/Continuous section break/ * Format/Columns/Two/ * Enter the Latin text and then insert a column break to enter the French text. * Insert/Break/Continuous section break/ * Format/Columns/One/ On my machine, it works perfectly. If your texts are too long, you will have a bit of gymnastics when you reach the bottom of the page: redo a column break so that the continuation of the French text moves to the right. But if your machine is resistant, the table solution proposed by fourvin and Iolée is quite appropriate. -- A retiree in the sun of the Antilles :-) Raymond

Anonono · Answer

There are still people who never understood how to use the web and who always want to be right, even in retirement...

Google is our friend. And it gives us this page when we type the keywords "section break issue."

Anyway, it will always interest someone...

In any case, a big thank you to this user for taking the time to post the solution for others, even after months. Few people would have done the same... proof of it!

nieme_doctorant · Answer

Hi friends, here is the real solution: https://support.microsoft.com/fr-fr/help/292074/section-break-causes-an-unexpected-page-break-in-word  And good luck to all future docs!!!

galijo · Answer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXGodg9Yzgo

sriviere · Answer

Can you start a new discussion to explain your problem? I can't see your table on YouTube, at least, I can't see it. Thank you.

IronDom · Answer

Additional information for Mac users: A section break (next page), when I delete it, converts the previous section break (continuous) into (next page). Word for Mac 2008.

However, I eventually managed to convert this section break (next page) into (continuous) by proceeding as follows:

Format > Document >
Tab Margins/Layout: Layout
Section start: Continuous
Apply to: Whole document
Ok

If it doesn't work, do cmd+a on the document beforehand to preselect all the text before carrying out the above operation.

ancé · Answer

Thank you! I just had the same problem, proves that it’s always useful, thanks.

Melimelodie · Answer

I also encountered this issue with columns due to footnotes (yes, the topic is old, but when you look for a solution, you end up here => it can help others). In fact, if it bugs when creating columns after inserting the footnotes, there is absolutely no problem when you create the columns first and add the footnotes afterward (even if it requires some organization...).

Section break issue in Word

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