565: Using wide tables and graphics in double columns

Document 565

Using wide tables and graphics in a two-column format

Version: 3.x, 4.x, 5.x - Scientific WorkPlace & Scientific Word

If your document has two columns, tables and graphics that are wider than a single column present a problem. You can include them in your document with two LaTeX environments: table* and figure*. Although the two environments aren't directly supported by SWP and SW, you can modify the fragment for tables that float so that your table or graphic will span both columns of text.

If you use the multicol package to create your document, you can use the table* and figure* environments in place of the usual floating environments. Be sure to read the package documentation available through the program's online Help. The file OptionsPackagesLaTeX.tex in the SWSamples directory of your program installation contains a link to information. You can find additional information in Typesetting Documents in Scientific WorkPlace and Scientific Word.

Follow these steps to enter a table or graphic that spans two columns:

  1. Place the insertion point where you want the table to appear.

  2. Enter the Table - (4x3, floating) fragment. In Version 5, the fragment appears as

    Table - (4x3, floating) fragment

    In earlier versions, the fragment appears as

    Table - (4x3, floating) fragment

  3. Modify the table:
    • If you want to enter a table, replace the sample table with the table you want in your document.
    • If you want to enter a graphic,
      1. Replace the sample table with the graphic.
      2. Select the graphic and choose Properties.
      3. In the Placement area of the Layout tab, select In Line and choose OK. This change avoids LaTeX errors.
  4. Select the B TeX field at the beginning of the fragment and choose Properties.
    The field contains this code: \begin{table}[tbp] \centering.
  5. Modify the field:
    1. If you're entering a table, replace \begin{table} with \begin{table*} and choose OK. The field now contains \begin{table*}[tbp] \centering
    2. If you're entering a graphic, replace \begin{table} with \begin{figure*} and choose OK. The field now contains \begin{figure*}[tbp] \centering
  6. Select the E TeX field at the end of the fragment and choose Properties.
    The field contains this code: \end{table}
  7. Modify the field:
    1. If you're entering a table, replace "\end{table}" with \end{table*} and choose OK.
    2. If you're entering a graphic, replace "\end{table}" with \end{figure*} and choose OK.
  8. Typeset preview the document to make sure the tables span the columns correctly.

Added 10/04/02; revised 10/20/04, 07/19/05

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