How to make a page landscape in OpenOffice: Step-by-step guide to changing page orientation in OpenOffice Writer

To make a page landscape in OpenOffice, you’ll need to change the page orientation for your document or just for a specific section. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open your document in OpenOffice Writer.
2. Go to the Format menu and select Page Style.
3. In the dialog box, click on the Page tab.
4. Under Paper format, select the Landscape option under Orientation.
5. Click OK to apply. The entire document will now display in landscape orientation.

If you’d only like certain pages to be landscape (for example, to better present a floor plan or design sketch), insert a page break with a different page style. Creating custom styles for different page orientations is a common approach in both professional documents and in my work as an interior designer when presenting layouts to clients. A well-designed document layout, just like a room, should accommodate its content—choosing landscape orientation can make visual elements like diagrams or room planners clearer and more impactful.

Tips 1:

If you switch orientations mid-document, be sure to insert a page break and apply a new style with the landscape setting. This ensures that only the intended pages are landscape, preserving the overall flow and professionalism of your document.

FAQ

Q: Can I set only one page to landscape in OpenOffice?

A: Yes, use a page break with a custom page style set to landscape for that specific page.

Q: Will changing orientation affect my images and tables?

A: Yes, images and tables will reflow according to the new page width—often making them easier to display.

Q: Can I change page orientation back and forth within the same document?

A: Absolutely. Create multiple page styles (portrait and landscape), inserting page breaks as needed before applying a new style.

Q: What if my headers and footers look odd after orientation changes?

A: Edit the headers/footers in the different page styles for uniformity or design according to your document’s needs.

Q: Is landscape orientation better for design layouts?

A: Often yes! Landscape orientation gives more horizontal space, ideal for floor plans and design mockups—much like what I do in my design projects.