In Office 2003, How Do I Maintain the Integrity of Columns?

Question

What I mean is this: If, for example, I have made two lists on the same page. Column A is flush left and Column B starts midway (halfway) with the center as its flush left margin.

I finished the lists, but I forgot some items, and I want to add them to the first list, Column A. As soon as I type anything, whatever is across the page on the same "line" in Column B, starts to move across the page with each keystroke to Column A. How do I stop this and make it so I can add or subtract items to the first column without any change in the second column?

Phy333: to answer your question, Capt. Bob is right, I am using tabs in Word.
You are all so incredibly knowledgeable and generous. The Humble, you rock!
Obviously, I am self- taught, learning as I go. Word is not a very intuitive word processor. Do any of you have one you think is easier and makes more sense?Thank you all so much. You too, Marie, Sub J,
and Tammi D!

Answer 1

I would not have used columns for this.
I would have created a table, two columns, one row.
Using the table toolbar, I would have opted for no borders - although you could view a light gray outline so you could see where to enter data. If you know how to work with two open files simultaneously, try this:

Open the document you have just typed.
cl on the button for "new" to open a new file
cl File, Save as -- give it a temporary name, like "Temp"
cl Table
cl Insert Table
2 columns, 1 row -- they will appear narrow, but will expand as you type.

select the table
cl View on the menu bar, select Tables and Borders Toolbar
cl the down-arrow in the line style box and select "no border'
cl the down-arrow on the "outside border" button and click on the button that looks like a square with an X inside.

You should see no lined border -- just a light outline (called gridlines). If you don't see this, click Table, click View gridlines.

Open the typed document.
select, then copy the information for the first table column
Open temp
right-click in the first cell, and paste

Return to the typed document
select, then copy the information for the second column
Open temp
right-click in the right-hand column, paste

File,Save
When you want to add a line in either column, put the cursor down immediately to the left of the first character of the line to follow your new entry.
click "Return" or "Enter" to insert a line.
put your cursor in the blank line and type the new entry.

When finished, close both files.
Delete the first.
Right-cl on Temp, choose Rename, then rename it.

You could use some instructions. Try www.amazon.com and look for used books for Office 2003. I have saved a lot of money with used books and all I have received so far have been in excellent condition.

Answer 2

It sounds like you are using tabs to separate your columns. So you need to create your columns with the "Format, Columns" command. When you do that you will see two right and left margins on the ruler bar. After you do that, you should be able to insert a new row in column A by placing the cursor at the end of the item just above where you want the new text and press enter. This will make a blank row in column A. Also column B should move down one row if column A is full. Then type the text for the new item. If you want to enter items into column B before you get to the bottom of the page in column A, put a column break at the end of column A. Unless you need the text to wrap from column A to B, I would use tables and not columns. They are much easier to work with.

Answer 3

It sounds like you are in MS WORD (you wouldn't have this problem in Excel).

Ok, so, to solve your issue, you need to use actual columns. Go to the Format menu, and click on 'Columns'. Then, choose the number of columns that you want...you want two, right? MS Word will automatically format the page with two columns. Type everything...all your 'Column A' and 'Column B' items...in the first column. In order to push the 'Column B' items over into the second column, place your cursor next to the first 'Column B' item. Then, go to the Insert menu and click on 'Break'. Undern 'Break types', choose 'Column break'.

Answer 4

It should not happen that way unless the column b contains a formula using data from col a.

Answer 5

there may be other solutions to get around the microsoft lunacy, but this should work.
undo your column definitions so you're back to one column, make the additions, then redefine the columns

Answer 6

Are you using a Table in Word or are you using columns in Excel? Please let us know.