NEXT-COLUMN

Function

Sets the current position on the page to the next column defined with COLUMNS.

Syntax

NEXT-COLUMN [AT-END={NEWLINE|NEWPAGE}]
[GOTO-TOP={num_lit|_var|_col}]
[ERASE-PAGE={num_lit|_var|_col}]

Arguments

AT-END

Takes effect if the current column is the last one defined when NEXT‑COLUMN is invoked.

GOTO-TOP

Causes the current line in the next column to be num_lit|_var|_col. This argument is useful when printing columns down the page.

ERASE-PAGE

Where to begin erasing the page when an AT‑END=NEWPAGE occurs.

Examples

The following example prints columns across the page:

columns 10 50! Define two columns
  begin-select
  name   (0,1,20)
  phone  (0,+3,0) edit (xxx)bxxx-xxxx
  next-column  at-end=newline  ! Print names across the page
  order by name                ! from phonelist within two columns.
end-select

The following example prints columns down the page:

columns 10 50
move 55 to #bottom_line
begin-select
  name   (0,1,20)
  phone  (0,+3,0) edit (xxx)bxxx-xxxx
    if #current-line >= #bottom_line
      next-column  goto-top=1  at-end=newpage
    else
      position (+1,1)
    end-if
  from phonelist
  order by name
end-select