[Moonray]

Do I see it correctly that the only difference between Word Processing mode and Page Layout mode in Pages ’08 is that you don’t have “background text” in Page Layout mode and need text boxes for any text? And if so, can’t I just use Word Processing mode instead of Page Layout mode, put everything in boxes and get the same result?

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[PurpleGiant]

Basically, yes.

The other key difference is that you can rearrange the pages by dragging and dropping them in the sidebar. in Word Processing mode this isn't allowed as it would break all your paragraphs.

[Moonray]

Thanks. I did not think of the possibility of rearranging pages where this distinction would make sense. However if I use section breaks and have no text floating from one page to the other I can rearrange pages in Word Processing mode as well.

I wonder whether this strict separation between the two modes was really necessary.

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[chabig]

This is from Pages Help:

Here are the distinguishing features of a Page Layout template:

Page Layout templates contain floating objects such as images and text boxes that can be easily moved anywhere on the page.

Text in a Page Layout template must either replace placeholder text in a template text box or a text box must be added to the page.

Text can flow between text boxes.

Vertical and horizontal rulers are displayed by default.

Page thumbnails are displayed by default.

and

Here are the distinguishing features of a Word Processing template:

You can add and edit a table of contents in your document.

Text flows from one page to another.

Page thumbnails are hidden by default.

Only a horizontal ruler is available by default.

You can also display the vertical ruler in a Word Processing template.

Word Processing templates contain floating and inline objects

[Moonray]

Originally Posted by chabig 

This is from Pages Help: ...

Well ... that’s where the confusion starts:

Distinguishing features of a Page Layout template: Page Layout templates contain floating objects such as images and text boxes that can be easily moved anywhere on the page.

I can easily move images and text boxes in Word Processing mode as well.

Distinguishing features of a Page Layout template: Text can flow between text boxes.

I just tried and can connect two text boxes to have the text flow between them in Word Processing mode as well. (Finally it’s possible to spread text boxes over different pages)

So in these points I do not see a difference.

The other “distinguishing features” are about what’s displayed or hidden by default or about what’s depending on having background text.

What I really miss is to have inline objects in text boxes.

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[chabig]

The difference is that in page layout mode you can do absolutely nothing until you place a text box. In word processing mode, you can enter text without placing a text box first.

[Amorya]

Originally Posted by chabig 

The difference is that in page layout mode you can do absolutely nothing until you place a text box. In word processing mode, you can enter text without placing a text box first.

Do you guys remember AppleWorks? That was how it did it as well. You could use all Drawing features in Word Processing, and vice versa -- the difference was the background text box in WP mode.