[Solved] Create independent columns for entries

[videobruce]

I don't know if I worded that correctly, but to expand on that';
I've run into this problem before, but I was able to work around it, but not this time due to the number of entries in each column. The previous column is not being filled to the bottom of the page.

I want to create multiple columns with data entry independent of the previous column. Example; I have 20 items in column one. I want to start entering data in column two, without continuously tabbing down in column one to the next column. I see if I use the space bar, toggle over to the end of the 1st column it will tab down creating another row which tell one that the columns are isolated from one another, but not.
If it matters, the data in this case are numerical, not text.

So, is there a way without using Calculator to do this in Writer assuming the above makes sense?

[videobruce]

IOW's w/o using the tab bar repeatably to get to the bottom of the 1st column to start the 2nd column, etc.

[FJCC]

It sounds to me like you need to use a table instead of columns. Use the menu Table -> Insert -> Table. You can then choose the number of rows and columns. The choice you make there can be adjusted later

[videobruce]

Attached is what I have already. I setup a 3 column 'table', but when I tried a C&P, all it did was to cover over the first column and paste the list in a blank space the process created.
See the attachments. The 1st attachment was the test using the 1st file.

[MrProgrammer]

I want to create multiple columns with data entry independent of the previous column.

Try a multi-column single-row table.

202401231028.odt

(13.66 KiB) Downloaded 135 times

I want to start entering data in column two …

… when I tried a C&P …

Based on your first post I would have thought you were typing the data. But now it seems as if you are using copy and paste. It is best to make that clear right away, for sometimes the answer will be different. In this case I will suggest that instead of Edit → Paste you use Edit → Paste Special → Unformatted text. It is not possible for me to help you with copy/paste problems unless your reveal the source of the copy.

If this solved your problem please go to your first post use the Edit ☐ button and add [Solved] to the start of the Subject field. Select the green checkmark icon at the same time.

[videobruce]

I originally wanted to do was to format the page w/ the columns first, then type in the data, but since I already added the data, I wanted to see what would happen if I formatted the columns afterwards. Nothing to loose.

The source of the copy is what you see in the 2nd attachment. It's not a 'foreign' format.

[Bill]

The data in the source document is on a 3-column page. AFAIK, there is no way to make Writer convert this directly to a 3-column table. You can select the data then use Table > Convert > Text to Table first to convert the data to a 1-column table. You can then copy each part of the data and paste it into the appropriate column of a 3-column table.

[videobruce]

That 2nd attachment I was talking about, I physically typed in using the 'Enter' key to toggle the cursor down, then to the next column.
Sorry if my descriptions and terminology isn't always correct.

[Bill]

I want to create multiple columns with data entry independent of the previous column. Example; I have 20 items in column one. I want to start entering data in column two, without continuously tabbing down in column one to the next column. I see if I use the space bar, toggle over to the end of the 1st column it will tab down creating another row which tell one that the columns are isolated from one another, but not.

You're adding lines which causes the cursor to move to a new column automatically. Try using Insert > Manual Break > Column Break to move to a new column manually.

[videobruce]

That looks like that may work. I still have to start at the top of the column, but that is where I would normally anyway. Not ideal, but far better than using the 'Enter' key to fill up the existing column.
Kinda a odd way of doing this.