How to Mix Page Orientations in LibreOffice Writer

Managing both portrait and landscape orientations within a single LibreOffice Writer document is achieved by combining Page Styles with Manual Breaks. Rather than applying an orientation setting to the entire document, Writer applies formatting through designated page styles. This guide explains how to insert orientation breaks, switch between portrait and landscape layouts, and return to standard formatting seamlessly.

Step 1: Switch from Portrait to Landscape

To change a specific page or section to landscape orientation:

  1. Place your text cursor at the exact point where you want the new orientation to begin (typically at the very beginning of a new section or heading).
  2. Click Insert in the top menu bar.
  3. Hover over More Breaks and select Manual Break…
  4. In the dialog window that appears, ensure Page break is selected under the Type section.
  5. Open the Page Style dropdown menu and select Landscape.
  6. (Optional) Check the Change page number box if you need to reset pagination.
  7. Click OK.

A new page will be inserted immediately with a landscape layout, while all preceding pages remain in portrait.

Step 2: Switch Back to Portrait

To end the landscape section and return your document to portrait orientation:

  1. Place your cursor at the end of the landscape content where the orientation needs to revert.
  2. Navigate to Insert > More Breaks > Manual Break…
  3. Select Page break as the type.
  4. Open the Page Style dropdown menu and choose Default Page Style (or your designated portrait style).
  5. Click OK.

The subsequent pages will now follow the portrait layout without altering the landscape pages you configured previously.

Customizing Page Styles

If you need unique margins, headers, or footers for specific orientations:

  1. Press F11 (or click View > Styles) to open the Styles sidebar.
  2. Click the Page Styles icon at the top of the sidebar.
  3. Right-click Landscape or Default Page Style and select Modify…
  4. Use the Page, Header, and Footer tabs to customize dimensions and margins for that specific orientation across the document.