Autype provides several elements to control how content is positioned on pages in the exported document.
Page breaks
Simple page break
A horizontal rule (---) is treated as a page break in the rendered document:
Content on page 1.
---
Content on page 2.
Explicit page break with orientation
Change page orientation with the explicit page break syntax:
---pagebreak{orientation="landscape"}---
---pagebreak{orientation="portrait"}---
Example: Mixed orientations
# Introduction
Regular portrait content here.
---pagebreak{orientation="landscape"}---
## Wide Data Table
| Col 1 | Col 2 | Col 3 | Col 4 | Col 5 | Col 6 | Col 7 | Col 8 |
|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|
| Data | Data | Data | Data | Data | Data | Data | Data |
---pagebreak{orientation="portrait"}---
## Conclusion
Back to portrait for the conclusion.
Page sections
Page sections let you position content at specific vertical locations on a page. This is essential for title pages, certificates, and custom layouts.
Syntax variant 1: Dash syntax
---page{align=center}---
# Centered Content
This content is vertically centered on the page.
---/page---
Syntax variant 2: Directive syntax
:::page{align=center}
# Centered Content
This content is vertically centered on the page.
:::
Vertical alignment
| Value | Description |
|---|
top | Content starts at the top of the page |
center | Content is vertically centered |
bottom | Content is aligned to the bottom |
Absolute positioning with startY
Position content at an exact vertical position (in points from the top):
---page{align=top startY=100}---
Content starting at 100 points from the top.
---/page---
Attribute reference
| Attribute | Values | Description |
|---|
align | top, center, bottom | Vertical alignment on the page |
startY | Number (points) | Absolute Y position from top of page |
Example: Title page
---page{align=center}---
# Annual Report 2024
## Acme Corporation
*Confidential*
---/page---
---
# Table of Contents
::toc{maxLevel=3}
Example: Certificate
---page{align=center}---
# Certificate of Completion
This certifies that **{{recipientName}}** has successfully completed the course.
**Date:** {{date/D. MMMM YYYY}}
---/page---
Columns layout
Create multi-column layouts similar to LaTeX two-column papers. Content flows automatically from one column to the next.
Basic two-column layout
---columns{count=2}---
Content in the first column flows here. When the column is full,
text continues automatically in the second column.
## Section Title
All element types work inside columns — headings, paragraphs, lists, images, tables, math, and more.
---/columns---
Three-column layout
---columns{count=3 space=0.8}---
Content flows across three columns with 0.8 cm spacing between them.
---/columns---
With separator line
Add a vertical line between columns:
---columns{count=2 space=1.5 separate=true}---
Left column content here...
Right column content here...
---/columns---
Attribute reference
| Attribute | Values | Default | Description |
|---|
count | 1–4 | 2 | Number of columns |
space | Number (cm) | 1.27 | Gap between columns |
separate | true, false | false | Show vertical separator line between columns |
Example: Academic paper style
<h1 align="center">Research Paper Title</h1>
<p align="center">Author Name — Institution</p>
## Abstract
This is a single-column abstract paragraph.
---
---columns{count=2}---
## 1. Introduction
The introduction text flows across two columns, just like a typical academic paper layout.
## 2. Methods
Describe your methodology here. Tables, math blocks, and images all work within the column layout.
$$E = mc^2$$
## 3. Results
| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Score | 95.2 |
## 4. Conclusion
Final remarks in two-column format.
---/columns---
Columns are a section-level property — all content between ---columns{...}--- and ---/columns--- flows across the specified number of columns. In PDF/DOCX export, this uses native document column support for accurate rendering.
Spacers
Add vertical spacing between elements:
Custom height
Lines (default unit):
This adds 2 lines of vertical space.
Pixels:
---spacer{height="50px"}---
Height values
| Format | Description | Example |
|---|
| Number | Lines of space | height=2 → 2 lines |
String with px | Pixels of space | height="50px" → 50 pixels |
| (omitted) | Default: 1 line | ---spacer--- |
Spacers are useful for fine-tuning layout on title pages or between sections where the default paragraph spacing isn’t enough.
