Re: Texinfo.tex, problem with too-long table inside @float

[arnold]

Hi.

Thanks for the response. I do have a number of floats (it's a good-
sized book) but this may be the only table that is so large.
It is important that I refer to the floats from the text with an xref.

Since the \vbox is never actually moved around, maybe just don't
put the enclosed stuff inside one?  That would suit me fine for both
texinfo.tex and makeinfo --latex (which I will use to submit the
book for production).

Thanks!

Arnold

Gavin Smith <gavinsmith0123@gmail.com> wrote:

> On Fri, Dec 01, 2023 at 10:45:14AM +0200, Aharon Robbins wrote:
> > Hi.
> > 
> > Using version 2023-10-19.19 of texinfo.tex, there is a problem if
> > a table inside @float goes over one page.  See the attached file.
> > 
> > If the table is not inside @float, it formats just fine across
> > multiple pages.
>
> Unfortunately, it's inherent in the meaning of the @float command that
> the enclosed material will fit on a single page.  As long as it is output
> inside a \vbox or \vtop, it can't be split across pages.
>
> If I convert your test file to LaTeX with 'texi2any --latex', and then
> process the output with pdflatex, the output PDF has exactly the same
> problem, with the table disappearing off the bottom of the page.
>
> You could use an @anchor to refer to the table, although without
> the automatic numbering of the table, unfortunately.  @float has
> the dual purpose of providing numbering and cross-referencing,
> as well as controlling the formatting of the block.
>
> (It seems that the @float command at one time was intended to change
> the position of the block on the page, but this was never implemented
> in texinfo.tex.)
>
> The float caption would not be satisfactorily placed even if the
> table did split across pages, as it is placed at the end of the
> float, so would not be visible on the first page where the table
> appears.
>
> How important is it to you that you can refer to tables with text
> like "See Table 1"?  Do you have many numbered tables in the document?
>
> Could it be appropriate to place such long tables as these in a section
> of their own which then could be cross-referenced as usual?
>
> > This example is culled from a book I'm working on. I need the @float
> > in order to be able to use an @ref to the table from the inline prose.
> > 
> > Much thanks!
> > 
> > Arnold
>