Layout programs, like most software, are similar to a toolbox in the sense that they are scalable to the user. Some people have just a screwdriver around their house for when they occasionally need to tighten their cabinets. Others have a bigger box with every shape tool you can imagine.

…you get the point. Layout programs are nothing more than a set of tools, and some sets have more tools than others. So, naturally, some programs are more able to handle certain design jobs than others. This is when it becomes important to choose a layout program that has enough horsepower to handle yours.

Office suites, such as Microsoft Office and Corel WordPerfect fulfill the requirement for uncomplicated design jobs. They typically allow the user to very simply go in and enter the information without too much trouble. However, once you start adding design constraints, you tend to push these programs to their limits.

Also, these suites are not very conducive for exchanging files. For example, when you send your file, created in Microsoft Word, to your Print Shop, or anyone else for that matter, you will quite often encounter text formatting problems. That is, the line at the bottom of the paragraph on the last page accidentally flows onto another unwanted page.

That is the distinction that is usually drawn between office suites and layout programs. Layout programs, Quark Xpress, Adobe PageMaker, and Adobe InDesign are much more adept at dealing with more complex situations. Not only do they have the ability to consistently control text and objects (i.e. lines, boxes, pictures, etc.), but they also have a full array of tools to allow you manipulate these objects and your document as a whole.