first, i hope this is the correct forum, and i apologize in advance if it
isn't. i'm a newbie.

my group uses word 2000 sp-3 (a few use 2003). we have word docs that make
up our training manual for various apps. they are screenshot-heavy, where the
text wraps around the graphics. i've redesigned the doc to create
"marginalia" on the right side - an inch or so of ruled-off vertical space,
top to bottom, where quick hits and tips will go, and to allow users to make
notes. but i've been fighting for some time to create a template that my
colleagues can use to simply drop in the material and avoid layout tweaking.
i've tried columns and tables, but something always trips us up - inserting a
graphic blows the form off the page or pushes everything off the page, or
blows out the bottom of the table, or the graphic jumps around wherever it
wants, etc. we've tried linked text boxes (for the marginalia) . . .
everything. what are we missing? isn't there some way to set up columns or
tables (or something else) and lock them down so that no amount of
manipulating text and art will destroy the framework? a three-column table
has worked the best so far (first column is 5.5" for the body text, second
column is essentially the gutter, third column of 1.25" is the marginalia),
but we still encounter blowouts of the bottom of the table box to the next
page, and the doc just keeps pushing down and growing in page numbers without
allowing us to place the text and art where we want. i've searched high and
low for advanced instructions and/or a template, to no avail. any
suggestions are welcome. thank you.