This command allows you to fill any selected area with any desired number of columns of equal width. When the I-beam insertion point is within one of these columns, tabbing will move the insertion point to the same line in the next column to the right. When the insertion point is already in the right-most column, tabbing will move it to the next line of the first column. Holding down the SHIFT key while tabbing will reverse this process. Holding down the SHIFT key while pressing the RETURN key will move the cursor up one line within the same column.
When you invoke the COLUMN… command, a series of things happen. First a field appears with some directions, along with a button called "Area Okay". The field is automatically selected with the field tool, so that you can resize and relocate it. The size and location you choose for this field will indicate the exact area which you want to fill with columns. When you are satisfied with the area indicated by the field, you choose the browse tool (one simple way: type
COMMAND-TAB, i.e. press the command key and the tab key simultaneously) and click on the button AREA OKAY. Then a series of dialogue boxes will appear, asking how many columns you want; whether you want the style of the columns to be Transparent, Rectangle (i.e. opaque with linear border) or Shadowed (i.e. opaque with a lightly shadowed border); whether you want a 5-pixel space between columns, or no space, or want the columns to overlap slightly; and whether you want their text left-aligned, centered, or right-aligned. The columns are then automatically created to your specifications.
