Is it possible to insert `content` at any position using `scope: "parent" `with `columns: 2`?

Questions
,
1

Hi, After reading https://typst.app/docs/reference/model/figure/#parameters-scope, I wonder if it is possible to insert content at any position using scope: "parent" with #set page(columns: 2)?
Take a look at Figure or Place which have Parameter scope, I would like to place them anywhere.

#set page(columns: 2, height: 400pt)

1. #lorem(20)
+ #lorem(20)

#colbreak()

3. #lorem(20)
+ #lorem(20)

#place(bottom + center, scope: "parent", float: true)[#rect(fill: blue, width: 100%)]
#lorem(50)

test
test1191×800 121 KB

As shown below, I would like the content I insert to automatically span over all columns, namely scope: "parent" at the beginning. Once the insertion is complete, the two-column layout should then continue as usual.

┌────────────┐   ┌────────────╥────────────┐
│ 1xxx  3xxx │   │            ║ 1xxx  3xxx │
│ 2xxx       │   │            ║ 2xxx  4xxx │
│ ` Figure`  │   │            ║ ` Place`   │
│ 4xxx       │   │            ║ 5xx        │
│ 5xxx       │   │            ║ 6xxx       │
│            │   │            ║            │
└────────────┘   └────────────╨────────────┘

However, it seems that the placement can only be either top or bottom.
And as a fallback option, I could consider:

#set page(height: 400pt)
#columns(2)[
  1. #lorem(20)
  + #lorem(20)
  #colbreak()
  3. #lorem(20)
  + #lorem(20)
]
#lorem(15)
#rect(fill: blue, width: 100%)

test
test1191×800 92.6 KB

Obviously, writing it this way each time is cumbersome, especially when your main content is in a two-column layout.

2

Hello @Collete, I realise this question is very old, so you might have received an answer already.

I am not aware of any way to place a floating element “anywhere” in its parent container. By default, the alignments available are top or bottom plus or minus horizontal alignement. As for the reasons why, I think they are answered in this topic: Why put figures on top or bottom of page?

In practice, if you wanted to put your floating element anywhere, you would first have to break out of the columns layout (the current container), place your figure, then re-enter. That comes with annoying issues like dis-continuity in column balancing.

Additionally, the reading order becomes ambiguous. Are you reading two columns, or four, i.e.,

| A | B |
|  FIG  |
| C | D |

or

| A1 | B1 |
|   FIG   |
| A2 | B2 |

I have not seen any issues on that feature, so if you would like to create one, it would surely be welcome. See typst/issues.

As for your fallback option, I am afraid it is the only solution remaining to both have a multi-column layout with automatic balancing, and wide figures anywhere. You could potentially remove the syntax burden by using a show rule on the whole document.