Layout a Book with OpenOffice Org: Full Guide

To lay out a book with Apache OpenOffice Writer, you set up page styles for front matter and chapters, define margins and headers/footers, and then export to PDF. This guide walks you through the entire process, from document setup to final export, covering both fiction and non-fiction layouts.

Why Use OpenOffice for Book Layout?

Apache OpenOffice Writer is a free, open-source word processor that can handle book-length documents. It is a solid choice for authors who want full control over their layout without paying for professional software like Adobe InDesign or Affinity Publisher. While it lacks some advanced typesetting features, it provides all the essential tools: page styles, automatic table of contents, headers/footers, and PDF export. For a simple novel or a text-heavy non-fiction book, OpenOffice is more than sufficient. It is also cross-platform, running on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and it saves files in the open ODT format, which is widely supported.

Setting Up the Page Size and Margins

Before you write or import your content, set up your page dimensions. Most trade paperbacks in the US are 6″ x 9″ (15.24 x 22.86 cm), but you can choose any size. In OpenOffice, go to Format > Page Style. On the Page tab, set the width and height. For margins, a common starting point is 0.8″ (2 cm) on the top, bottom, and outside, and 1″ (2.5 cm) on the inside (the binding edge). If you are printing double-sided, you need to use Mirror margins (also called “book fold” in some software). This ensures that the inside margin is wider on both pages so the text doesn’t disappear into the spine. To do this, in the same Page Style dialog, under Layout settings, change Page layout from “Right and left pages” to “Mirrored”. This will automatically swap the left and right margins on alternating pages.

Using Page Styles for Front Matter and Chapters

OpenOffice uses page styles to apply different formatting to different parts of your book. You need at least two styles: one for the front matter (title page, copyright page, table of contents) and one for the body chapters. The default style is called “Default”. You can create a new style by right-clicking on the “Default” style in the Styles sidebar (press F11 to show it) and selecting New. Name it “Body” or “Chapter”. Set its page size and margins as described above. For the front matter, you might want a style with no page numbers or with Roman numerals. To apply a style to a page, place your cursor on that page, then double-click the style in the Styles list. You can also insert a manual page break with a style change: go to Insert > Manual Break, choose Page break, and select the style you want for the next page.

Creating Headers and Footers with Page Numbers

Headers and footers are essential for a professional book. They can contain the book title, chapter title, and page numbers. To add a footer, go to Insert > Footer and choose the page style you are using (e.g., “Default” for the body). Then click in the footer area and go to Insert > Page Number. This inserts a field that automatically updates. For a header, do the same with Insert > Header. To have the chapter title in the header, you can use a field: Insert > Fields > Other, then on the Document tab, select Chapter and choose the appropriate level. This will automatically display the current chapter name. For front matter, you might want no header or a different footer with Roman numerals. You can achieve this by creating a separate page style for front matter and giving it its own footer with a different number format (Format > Page Style > Footer tab > Edit > Format > choose Roman numerals).

Building a Table of Contents

A table of contents (TOC) is a must for non-fiction and helpful for fiction. OpenOffice can generate one automatically if you use heading styles (Heading 1, Heading 2, etc.) for your chapter titles and section headings. To insert a TOC, place your cursor where you want it (usually after the title page), then go to Insert > Table of Contents and Index > Table of Contents, Index or Bibliography. In the dialog, you can choose how many levels to show and whether to right-align page numbers with dot leaders. After you make changes to your document, you need to update the TOC: right-click on it and select Update Index. This is a huge time-saver compared to manually typing page numbers.

Exporting to PDF for Print or Ebook

Once your layout is complete, you need to export to PDF. Go to File > Export As > Export as PDF. In the PDF Options dialog, you can set the quality for images. For print, choose “Lossless” or high quality. For an ebook, you might want a smaller file size. For print, you also need to ensure that your PDF has the correct page size and that fonts are embedded. OpenOffice embeds fonts by default, which is good. For a print-ready PDF, you should also check the “PDF/A-1a” option if your printer requires it (this is an archival standard). For an ebook, you might prefer to export as EPUB instead: File > Export As > Export as EPUB. This creates a reflowable ebook file. Note that EPUB export requires that you use proper heading styles for chapters.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Here are some frequent issues and their solutions:

• Page numbers not showing: Ensure you inserted the page number field in the footer of the correct page style. If you have multiple styles, each needs its own footer.
• Margins are not mirrored: Go to Format > Page Style and under Layout settings, select “Mirrored”. Also, make sure you are editing the correct page style.
• Table of contents shows “Error”: This usually means you haven’t used the built-in heading styles. Apply Heading 1, Heading 2, etc., to your chapter titles and sections.
• Images are cut off: Check the image anchor. Right-click on the image, go to Picture > Type, and set the anchor to “As character” or “To paragraph”. Also, ensure the image fits within the text area.
• Blank pages appear unexpectedly: This is often due to manual page breaks or empty paragraphs. Turn on formatting marks (Ctrl+F10) to see them and delete any extra breaks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use OpenOffice for a print-on-demand book?

Yes, you can. Most print-on-demand services (like Amazon KDP or IngramSpark) accept PDF files. You need to ensure your PDF has the correct page size, margins, and that fonts are embedded. OpenOffice exports PDFs with embedded fonts by default, which is what you need. However, you should always check the specific requirements of the service you use, as they may have specific margin or bleed requirements.

How do I make a book cover in OpenOffice?

OpenOffice Writer can be used for a simple cover, but it is not ideal for full-bleed covers with images that extend to the edge. You can create a single page with your cover image and text, then export it as a PDF. For a full wrap cover (back, spine, front), you would need to calculate the spine width and create a single large page. It is often easier to use a dedicated graphics program like GIMP or a free online tool for covers.

What is the difference between a page style and a paragraph style?

A page style controls the physical page: size, margins, headers/footers, and number of columns. A paragraph style controls the formatting of text within a paragraph: font, size, spacing, indentation. You use both together. For example, you might have a “Chapter” page style for the first page of each chapter, and a “Chapter Title” paragraph style for the heading text on that page.

Can I import a Word document and keep the layout?

OpenOffice can open .docx files, and it will attempt to preserve the layout. However, complex Word formatting may not translate perfectly. You may need to adjust page styles and headings after import. It is usually best to set up your page styles in OpenOffice first, then copy and paste your content from Word into the formatted document, using “Paste Special” and choosing “Unformatted text” to avoid carrying over unwanted formatting.

How do I add a bleed to my PDF for printing?

Bleed is the area outside the final page size that gets trimmed off. To add bleed in OpenOffice, you would need to set your page size larger than the final trim size (e.g., 6.125″ x 9.25″ for a 6″ x 9″ book) and extend your background images to the edge. OpenOffice does not have a built-in bleed feature, so you must manually account for it. Many authors prefer to use a separate tool for this step.

Is OpenOffice good for a photo-heavy book?

OpenOffice can handle images, but it is not a desktop publishing program. For a photo-heavy book like a cookbook or a coffee table book, you may find it limiting. You can place images and wrap text, but fine control over image positioning and captions is more limited than in dedicated layout software. For text-heavy books, it is perfectly fine.

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