Chapter VI.1. Creating Documents with Pages

In This Chapter

  • Using document templates

  • Creating text

  • Formatting text

  • Using text boxes

  • Working with graphics

  • Polishing a document

Pages is a combination word processor and desktop publishing program. As a word processor, Pages lets you type, edit, and format text quickly and easily. As a desktop publisher, Pages lets you arrange graphics and text boxes on a page to create business cards, menus, newsletters, or brochures.

Because Pages offers a dual personality as a word processor and a desktop publishing program, you can switch between the features you need in a single program. You can start writing and then decide to design your pages. Halfway through designing your pages, you might feel the urge to write again.

Note

Pages is part of the iWork suite — and it ain't free. Your Mac might have a trial version of Pages that lets you play with the program to see whether it meets your needs. If your Mac doesn't have the trial version of Pages already installed, you can download it free from Apple's Web site (www.apple.com/iwork).

Working with Document Templates

To help you get started writing, Pages supplies a variety of document templates. By choosing a document template, you can just enter new text or customize the appearance of the template so you don't have to create everything from scratch.

Pages offers two types of templates: Word Processing and Page Layout. Word Processing templates are designed mostly for writing (relatively) plain and simple, while ...

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