Page styles in LibreOffice Writer
Designing Headers and Footers
Headers and footers contain information about the document. A page style may have both, or one, and may contain detailed information or only a page number. You can format each page style’s header and footer directly from Insert | Header and Footer. However, to keep design as simple as possible, add page styles rather than direct headers and footers.
Headers and footers each have their own tab, but offer similar options (Figure 3). Once either is turned on, the other options can usually be ignored. There are not too many cases, for instance, when you do not want a header to go from margin to margin or to specify the header height. You may want to click the More… button to add a line to separate a header or footer from the main text. Adding a shadow is a legacy option that should be avoided unless you intend a retro 1990s look. Once a footer or header is created, paragraph styles for each appear that can be customized to complement or contrast with the main text.
Typically, each header or footer has three or less pieces of information. This information can be typed manually on one page that uses a style, or filled automatically with a field. Tabs are often used to position information, but show an annoying tendency to slip. Instead, use a one row table with as many columns as needed. From Insert | Field, you can populate the footer or header of any page style. Probably the most-used fields are Page Number, which can be followed by a period, or Page Count, which can be followed by the total pages. Other common fields include Author, Chapter, and File Name. You can also use Heading paragraph styles to create what are called running headers and set the field Insert | Fields | More Fields |Document | Chapter Name to Level 1 to have the header or footer update automatically whenever the chapter name is changed.With a long document written over a period of time, you might want to use one set of fields while writing and replace them with others in the finished document.
Columns
If a page style has multiple columns, you can set the number on the Columns tab (Figure 4). For most paper sizes, more than three columns can look ragged. Columns can be set to a few standard layouts at the top of the tab or with an exact measurement further down. Separator lines can be added between columns, but tend to look old fashioned. Blank spaces between columns tend to look cleaner.
Footnotes
From the Footnotes tab, footnotes can be designed quickly, with details like the appearance of the line that separates the footnotes from the main text and the distance between the separator from the notes (Figure 5). The radio buttons at the top of the tab dialog, Not Larger Than Page Area and Maximum Note Height, can also be useful in design. You may chose to ignore this tab and use endnotes instead.
« Previous 1 2 3 Next »
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
TUXEDO Computers Unveils Linux Laptop Featuring AMD Ryzen CPU
This latest release is the first laptop to include the new CPU from Ryzen and Linux preinstalled.
-
XZ Gets the All-Clear
The back door xz vulnerability has been officially reverted for Fedora 40 and versions 38 and 39 were never affected.
-
Canonical Collaborates with Qualcomm on New Venture
This new joint effort is geared toward bringing Ubuntu and Ubuntu Core to Qualcomm-powered devices.
-
Kodi 21.0 Open-Source Entertainment Hub Released
After a year of development, the award-winning Kodi cross-platform, media center software is now available with many new additions and improvements.
-
Linux Usage Increases in Two Key Areas
If market share is your thing, you'll be happy to know that Linux is on the rise in two areas that, if they keep climbing, could have serious meaning for Linux's future.
-
Vulnerability Discovered in xz Libraries
An urgent alert for Fedora 40 has been posted and users should pay attention.
-
Canonical Bumps LTS Support to 12 years
If you're worried that your Ubuntu LTS release won't be supported long enough to last, Canonical has a surprise for you in the form of 12 years of security coverage.
-
Fedora 40 Beta Released Soon
With the official release of Fedora 40 coming in April, it's almost time to download the beta and see what's new.
-
New Pentesting Distribution to Compete with Kali Linux
SnoopGod is now available for your testing needs
-
Juno Computers Launches Another Linux Laptop
If you're looking for a powerhouse laptop that runs Ubuntu, the Juno Computers Neptune 17 v6 should be on your radar.