page-layout-setup

name	page-layout-setup
description	Configure page layout for common document types — margins, orientation, paper size, headers, footers, and page numbers as a coordinated setup. Use when the user asks to "set up the page", "format as a letter", "make it landscape", "set margins", "create a professional layout", or mentions any document template format (report, memo, letter, resume, proposal). Coordinates set_page_setup, set_header_footer, and insert_page_numbers into a single coherent layout.
metadata	{"author":"talk2view-word","version":"1.1"}
compatibility	set_page_setup requires Word desktop; other layout tools work in Word Online.

Page Layout Setup

When to use

• User asks to "set up the page" or "change the layout"
• User asks to "make this a letter format" or "set up a report template"
• User mentions margins, orientation, or paper size
• User asks for a "professional layout" or "standard formatting"
• User wants to set up headers, footers, and page numbers together
• Starting a new document and the user specifies a document type

The core problem

Page layout involves three tools that must work together without conflicting:

• set_page_setup — margins, orientation, paper size (desktop only)
• set_header_footer — header and footer text
• insert_page_numbers — dynamic page numbers

Both set_header_footer and insert_page_numbers clear their target before writing. Combine brand text with page numbers in one call via insert_page_numbers(prefix_text, suffix_text) — see the headers-footers-page-numbers skill for the full conflict rules.

Key rules

1. Plan the layout before calling any tool

Decide upfront what goes where:

Layout plan:
  Page: portrait, 1-inch margins, letter size
  Header: "Company Name — Document Title"
  Footer: page numbers (Page X of Y), centered

Golden rule: text and page numbers go in DIFFERENT locations.

2. Execute in order: page setup → header → footer/page numbers

1. set_page_setup (if needed)
2. set_header_footer for header text
3. insert_page_numbers for footer (or vice versa)

3. set_page_setup is desktop-only

set_page_setup uses WordApiDesktop 1.3 — it does NOT work in Word Online. If it fails, inform the user: "Page margins and orientation require the Word desktop app. Headers, footers, and page numbers still work."

4. Use header_footer_type for first-page differences

Many documents need a different first page (title page with no header, or a different header):

set_header_footer(type="header", text="Title Page Header", header_footer_type="firstPage")
set_header_footer(type="header", text="Standard Header", header_footer_type="primary")

Standard layouts

Professional report

set_page_setup(orientation="portrait", top_margin=72, bottom_margin=72, left_margin=72, right_margin=72)
set_header_footer(type="header", text=" ", header_footer_type="firstPage")
set_header_footer(type="header", text="Report Title — Company Name")
insert_page_numbers(location="footer", alignment="center", format="Page {PAGE} of {NUMPAGES}")

Business letter

set_page_setup(orientation="portrait", top_margin=72, bottom_margin=72, left_margin=72, right_margin=72)
// Letters typically have no header/footer — skip unless requested

Memo

set_page_setup(orientation="portrait", top_margin=72, bottom_margin=72, left_margin=72, right_margin=72)
set_header_footer(type="header", text="MEMORANDUM")
insert_page_numbers(location="footer", alignment="right", format="{PAGE}")

Landscape data sheet

set_page_setup(orientation="landscape", top_margin=54, bottom_margin=54, left_margin=54, right_margin=54)
set_header_footer(type="header", text="Data Sheet — Confidential")
insert_page_numbers(location="footer", alignment="center", format="{PAGE} / {NUMPAGES}")

Resume / CV

set_page_setup(orientation="portrait", top_margin=54, bottom_margin=54, left_margin=54, right_margin=54)
// Narrow margins to maximize space — no header/footer needed

Proposal with title page

set_page_setup(orientation="portrait", top_margin=72, bottom_margin=72, left_margin=72, right_margin=72)
set_header_footer(type="header", text=" ", header_footer_type="firstPage")
set_header_footer(type="header", text="Proposal — Company Name")
set_header_footer(type="footer", text="Confidential", header_footer_type="firstPage")
insert_page_numbers(location="footer", alignment="center", format="Page {PAGE} of {NUMPAGES}")

Step-by-step: Set up a page layout

1. Ask the user (if not clear) what type of document they want.

2. Read the document for context:

   get_document()
   

   Check section count and whether content already exists.

3. Plan the layout. Decide margins, orientation, header text, footer text, page number placement.

4. Set page layout (desktop only):

   set_page_setup(
     orientation="portrait",
     top_margin=72,
     bottom_margin=72,
     left_margin=72,
     right_margin=72
   )
   

   If this fails with "not available in Word Online", continue with headers/footers (those still work).

5. Set header:

   set_header_footer(type="header", text="Header Text Here")
   

6. Set page numbers in footer:

   insert_page_numbers(
     location="footer",
     alignment="center",
     format="Page {PAGE} of {NUMPAGES}"
   )
   

7. For different first page (optional):

   set_header_footer(type="header", text=" ", header_footer_type="firstPage")
   

8. Confirm to the user what was set up.

Margin reference

Common margin sizes in points (72pt = 1 inch):

Margin style	Points	Inches
Normal	72	1.0"
Narrow	36	0.5"
Moderate	54 top/bottom, 54 left/right	0.75"
Wide	72 top/bottom, 144 left/right	1.0" / 2.0"

Gotchas

• set_page_setup is desktop-only. On Word Online, this tool returns an error. Headers, footers, and page numbers still work — only margins and orientation are affected.
• Don't put text and page numbers in the same location. If header has text, page numbers must go in footer (or vice versa). Each tool CLEARS its target before writing.
• insert_page_numbers is called ONCE. Multiple calls overwrite — you don't get duplicate page numbers.
• Header/footer types (firstPage, evenPages) may not display differently on Word Online even though the content is set.
• Multi-section documents need headers/footers set per section. Check get_document() for section count and use section_index to target each one.

Common mistakes

Mistake	Why it's wrong	Fix
Putting header text and page numbers both in footer	insert_page_numbers overwrites the footer text	Put text in header, page numbers in footer (or vice versa)
Calling set_page_setup on Word Online	API not available — throws an error	Skip page setup or inform user they need desktop Word
Setting margins without specifying all four	Unset margins keep their current value (which may be inconsistent)	Set all four margins together for consistency
Calling insert_page_numbers multiple times	Each call overwrites the previous	Call exactly once
Not checking section count	Page setup applies to section 0 only by default	Use get_document() to check sections; set each section if needed