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Toolbox for WordPerfect

Macros, tips, and templates for Corel® WordPerfect® for Windows®
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Page updated June 6, 2008
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Using two footers simultaneously (one for page number, the other for separator line and filename, etc.) so that items do not overlap

Some courts require a page number at the bottom of all pages (except on Page 1), with a graphic separator line under it, and then the filename under the line. This presents a small problem in WordPerfect, since you can't selectively suppress the page number (on Page 1) that was inserted in a single footer and still leave the other text and graphics showing. However, you can do this if you use both footers (A and B). However, both types of footers (and headers, too) overlap if used simultaneously. Here's a copy of a message to such a user that may help you set up these structures:

"...when you use two footers (or two headers), one lays on top of the other, so you need to do some spacing in one or the other (or both) if you want to see or print everything that is in both structures.

I assume you want something like this in the footer area (with the page number only suppressed on page 1):

       1
---------------------------
filename.wpd

If so, try this (I'm using WP9, but the same procedure should work in WP8 and earlier versions):

1. Go to the top of your document. Click on Insert|Header/Footer|Footer A|Create. This opens Footer A. Insert a page number code with Format|Page|Insert Page Number, select the type of numbering, then click Insert|Close. You should see the current page number displayed.

2. While still in the footer, go to the left of the page number code (or select it), center justify it, and set any font/size for it that you want. You can also add text around the number, such as "- 1 -". (Note that a smaller font size than the document body text often looks better here.) Now, go to the right side of the page number -- i.e., the end of the line -- and press Enter. This moves the page number up one line on the page by placing a hard return directly under it. Click outside the footer to return to the document.

3. Click on Insert|Header/Footer|Footer B|Create. This opens Footer B. Immediately press Enter to move subsequent text or graphics down a line, then insert a horizontal graphic line with Insert|Line.... Press Enter after the graphic line (i.e., at the end of the graphic) to move the insertion cursor down one more line. Enter a filename code with Insert|Other|Filename (or Path and Filename). Or, enter any other text. You can format the filename (or other text) by selecting it and applying a different font/size or position in the same manner as the page number. Click in the body of the document to return to it.

4. Now you want to suppress printing the page number on page 1. Go to the top of the document and click Format|Page|Suppress and check "Footer A." (You want to suppress the entire footer that contains the page numbering code you just inserted -- i.e., Footer A. Note that checking "Page Numbering" would suppress numbering set up by the Format|Page|Numbering feature -- a method which was not used here -- so you don't need to check that box.)

5. Check the document to see if it looks right to you. You may want to adjust the bottom page margin if the new footers are pushing up the body text too much. Also, if you want to add some space above and/or below the graphic line in Footer B, you could add additional hard returns in the footers with the Enter key, or click the graphic line (select it) an then click Edit|Edit Graphic Line..., then adjust the Space Above (or Below) Line. If you edit the line, you may have to make corresponding changes in the spacing of the other footer."

If this works for you, you could (1) record a macro that would go to the top of the document and create these structures in the same way as above, whenever you need them; or (2) record a style in your template (or the default template) so you can set up documents by selecting a style; or (3) you could just add these structures to a new template so that they are always present. See WordPerfect's Help for more on how to do these things.