## How WordPerfect Parallel Columns Convert to Word

Q107681

The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Word for Windows, version 6.0

## SUMMARY

Parallel columns can be used in WordPerfect versions 5.1 for MS-DOS and 5.1 and 5.2 for Windows to group text across columns (side-by-side) in rows. This feature is most closely associated with Word 6.0's table feature and is converted to such in most cases. Uneven (variable) column widths and space between measurements are mapped to appropriate table column widths.
Exceptions to this rule exist due to model differences in the two products; primarily the fact that frames cannot exist within a table in Word. These include the following scenarios:

- When a figure box (frame) exists within a WordPerfect parallel column layout
- When a paragraph-anchored box (frame) exists on the same page as a parallel column layout

In either case the parallel column layout is converted to a newspaper style (snaking) column layout in which balanced appearance is preserved with continuous section breaks in Word.
All parallel columns are converted to balanced snaking (newspaper) style columns in previous versions of Word. Previous versions of Word do not support uneven (variable-width) columns, and uneven parallel columns therefore revert to equal column widths.

## MORE INFORMATION

WordPerfect versions 5.1 for MS-DOS and 5.1 and 5.2 for Windows support parallel and parallel-with-block-protect column layouts. The difference between parallel columns and parallel columns with block-protect is that with block-protect active, each row of block-protected columns is designed to stay together on a page. If one column in a row becomes so long that it moves across a page break, the entire row of columns moves to a new page. Without block-protect active, a single column can span one or more page breaks prior to breaking to the next column.
When Word 6.0 encounters a parallel column layout without block-protect in which a single column spans one or more page breaks, Word expands the resulting table cell to span the page break and retain appearance.
WordPerfect supports a maximum of 24 parallel columns, and this limit is fully accommodated in conversion to Word.
The WordPerfect products mentioned here are manufactured by a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance or reliability.
For more information or support with WordPerfect, contact WordPerfect Customer Support at (800) 228-1029.

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Last Reviewed: November 4, 2000 © 2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.