How to column in word

Word 2013

You can format your document in a newspaper-style column layout by adding columns. On the Page Layout tab, click Columns, then click the layout you want.

  1. To apply columns to only part of your document, with your cursor, select the text that you want to format.

  2. On the Page Layout tab, click Columns, then click More Columns.

  3. Click Selected text from the Apply to box.

Word 2016

You can format your document in a newspaper-style column layout by adding columns. On the Layout tab, click Columns, then click the layout you want.

  1. To apply columns to only part of your document, with your cursor, select the text that you want to format.

  2. On the Layout tab, click Columns, then click More Columns.

  3. Click Selected text from the Apply to box.

Need more help?

  1. Image titled Add Columns in Microsoft Word Step 1

    1

    Open Microsoft Word. Its icon resembles a blue background with a white «W» on top.

    • If you’d rather edit an existing document, simply double-click the document in question.
  2. Image titled Add Columns in Microsoft Word Step 2

    2

    Click Blank document. It’s in the top-left corner of the templates page.

    • If you’re editing an existing document, skip this step.

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  3. Image titled Add Columns in Microsoft Word Step 3

    3

    Click the Layout tab. It’s at the top of the Word window, to the right of the Home, Insert, and Design tabs.

  4. Image titled Add Columns in Microsoft Word Step 4

    4

    Click Columns. This option is below and to the left of the Layout tab. Clicking it will prompt a drop-down menu with the following options:

    • One — Default setting for Word documents.
    • Two — Splits the page into two distinct columns.
    • Three — Splits the page into three distinct columns.
    • Left — Concentrates most of the text on the right side of the document, leaving a narrow column on the left.
    • Right — Concentrates most of the text on the left side of the document, leaving a narrow column on the right.
    • If you highlight a part (or all) of your document before clicking a column option, your document will be reformatted to appear in columns.
  5. Image titled Add Columns in Microsoft Word Step 5

    5

    Click a column option. Doing so will apply invisible columns to your document; as you type, you’ll notice that your text jumps to a new line before reaching the standard right-most margin. Once you reach the bottom of the page, your text will continue in the next column until you reach the bottom of the page again, and so on.

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  1. Image titled Add Columns in Microsoft Word Step 6

    1

    Open Microsoft Word. Its icon resembles a blue background with a white «W» on top.

    • If you’d rather edit an existing document, simply double-click the document in question.
  2. Image titled Add Columns in Microsoft Word Step 7

    2

    Click Blank document. It’s in the top-left corner of the templates page.

    • If you’re editing an existing document, skip this step.
  3. Image titled Add Columns in Microsoft Word Step 8

    3

    Click the Layout tab. It’s at the top of the Word window, to the right of the Home, Insert, and Design tabs.

  4. Image titled Add Columns in Microsoft Word Step 9

    4

    Click Columns. You’ll find this option below and to the left of the Layout tab.

  5. Image titled Add Columns in Microsoft Word Step 10

    5

    Click More Columns. It’s at the bottom of the Columns drop-down menu.

  6. Image titled Add Columns in Microsoft Word Step 11

    6

    Click a number of columns. You’ll see options like One, Two, Three, and so on at the top of this window. Clicking an option will apply it to your document.

    • If you highlighted text, your settings will be applied only to the highlighted text.
  7. Image titled Add Columns in Microsoft Word Step 12

    7

    Modify the column width and separation. You can do this by clicking the up or down arrow to the right of «Width» and the «Spacing» values, respectively.

    • You can also uncheck the box next to «Equal column width» in order to make one column wider than the other.
  8. Image titled Add Columns in Microsoft Word Step 13

    8

    Check the box next to «Line between» to draw a divider. Doing so will place a visible line between your columns.

    • If you don’t want a visible divider, leave this option unchecked.
  9. Image titled Add Columns in Microsoft Word Step 14

    9

    Click the «Apply to» drop-down menu. Doing so will allow you to click Selected text or Whole document to apply your column settings to the respective amounts of text.

  10. Image titled Add Columns in Microsoft Word Step 15

    10

    Click OK. This will apply your settings and divide any selected text as per your customized column rules.

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Add New Question

  • Question

    How do I add columns to the middle of the document without changing the format of the entire document?

    Ps46

    In Word, type the lines of text in a single column anywhere in the document. Then, select the lines of text and click the Page Layout tab. In the Page Setup options, click Columns and select the desired number of columns. Word automatically creates continuous section breaks before and after the columns. In some cases, it may be impossible to do without changing the format of the document.

  • Question

    How do I rotate a page in Word?

    Community Answer

    Select the pages or paragraphs whose orientation you want to change. Click Page Layout > Page Setup Dialog Box Launcher. In the Page Setup box, under Orientation, click Portrait or Landscape. Click the Apply to box and click Selected text.

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About This Article

Article SummaryX

1. Open Microsoft Word or an existing Word document.
2. Click Blank document.
3. Click Layout.
4. Click Columns.
5. Click a number of columns.

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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 533,628 times.

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Содержание

  • Создание колонок в документе Ворд
    • Создание колонок в документе
    • Примеры использования колонок
    • Отмена разбиения на колонки
  • Заключение
  • Вопросы и ответы

Как сделать колонки в Ворде

Одной из задач, с которой можно столкнуться при работе в редакторе Microsoft Word, является необходимость разбиения страницы на колонки (столбцы), с видимой границей или нет – это уже не столь важно. В рамках настоящей статьи расскажем, как это сделать.

Создание колонок в документе Ворд

Существует всего один способ создания столбцов в Word, при этом их количество, ориентация относительно полей страницы, ширина и отступы могут отличаться. Сначала мы рассмотрим то, как их создать, а затем кратко пройдемся по возможным вариантами применения данного навыка.

Создание колонок в документе

Для того чтобы разбить страницы текстового документа на два и более столбцов, необходимо выполнить следующие действия:

  1. Выделите с помощью мышки фрагмент текста или страницу, которую требуется разбить на колонки, или нажмите «CTRL+A» для выделения всего документа.
    Выделить текст в Word

    Читайте также: Как выделить страницу / весь текст в Ворде

  2. Перейдите ко вкладке «Макет» и разверните там меню кнопки «Колонки», которая расположена в группе «Параметры страницы», нажав на нее.
    Кнопка Колонки в Word

    Примечание: В версиях Ворд до 2012 года необходимые для решения поставленной задачи инструменты находятся во вкладке «Разметка страницы».

  3. Выберите в развернувшемся меню желаемое количество колонок. Если указанные по умолчанию значения вас не устраивают, кликните по пункту «Другие столбцы» (или «Другие колонки», в зависимости от используемой версии Microsoft Word).
  4. Выбор колонок в Word

  5. Определите необходимое количество столбцов, выбрав его в блоке «Тип», или введите вручную в строке «Чисто столбцов». В разделе «Применить» выберите один из двух доступных пунктов: «К выделенному тексту» или «До конца документа», если вы хотите разделить на заданное число столбцов текстовый фрагмент или весь документ соответственно.
    Колонны в Word

    Примечание: Если вам необходимо создать две колонки, размер одной из которых будет меньше другой, а ее расположение «привязано» к одному из полей, выберите соответствующее значение в блоке опций «Тип», ориентируясь на два последних макета («Слева» и «Справа»). Ниже, в блоке «Ширина и промежуток», можно задать подходящие размеры (непосредственно ширину текста и отступ между ним) для каждого из столбцов. Эти же значения можно редактировать и для большего числа колонок.

  6. Сразу после нажатия в диалоговом окне кнопки «ОК» выделенный фрагмент текста, страница или страницы будут разбиты на заданное количество колонок, после чего вы сможете писать текст в столбик.
  7. Колонки добавлены в Word

    Для того чтобы добавить вертикальную границу, наглядно разделяющую столбцы (например, показав таким образом линию сгиба), снова кликните по кнопке «Колонки» и выберите пункт «Другие столбцы», после чего установите галочку напротив пункта «Разделитель». В этом же окне выполняются необходимые настройки ширины текста в столбцах и расстояния между ними, о чем мы упомянули в примечании выше.

    Колонны Разделитель в Word

    Для подтверждения внесенных изменений нажмите «ОК».

    разделитель добавлен в Word

    Lumpics.ru

    Если вы хотите изменить разметку в следующих частях (разделах) документа, с которым работаете, выделите необходимый фрагмент текста или страницы, а затем повторите вышеописанные действия. Таким образом вы можете, к примеру, сделать на одной странице в Ворде две колонки, на следующей — три, а затем снова перейти к двум.

    Измененное форматирование в Word

    Совет: Если это необходимо, вы всегда можете изменить ориентацию страницы в документе Word с традиционной книжной на альбомную. О том, как это делается, мы ранее писали в отдельной статье.

    Читайте также: Как в Ворде сделать альбомную ориентацию страницы

Примеры использования колонок

Очевидно, что добавление столбцов в Microsoft Word может потребоваться при создании документов, формат которых отличается от стандартных. К числу таковых можно отнести брошюры, буклеты и книги, которые зачастую не только разрабатываются в текстовом редакторе, но и затем распечатываются на принтере. Еще одна оригинальная задача, которую позволяет решить осваиваемая нами сегодня функция текстового редактора, — это создание шпаргалок. На нашем сайте есть отдельные статьи о работе с нетипичными документами, при которой без умения создавать и изменять колонки не обойтись – рекомендуем с ними ознакомиться.

отправить на печать в Word

Подробнее:
Как в Ворде сделать буклет / книгу / шпаргалку
Печать документов в Microsoft Word

Отмена разбиения на колонки

В случае если необходимость в применении столбцов к текстовому содержимому документа отпадет, для ее отмены выполните следующее:

  1. Повторите действия из пункта №1-2 первой части данной статьи.
  2. Кнопки колонки в Word

  3. Кликнув по кнопке «Колонки», выберите первый пункт в списке доступных — «Одна».
  4. Одна колонка в Word

  5. Разбиение на колонки исчезнет, а документ обретет привычный вид.
  6. Колонок нет в Word

    Читайте также: Как отменить действие в Ворде

Заключение

Теперь вы знаете не только о том, как сделать колонки в Microsoft Word, но и в документах какого типа их применение особенно актуально.

Еще статьи по данной теме:

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Typically, Word documents like books, reports, and letters have paragraphs that occupy the whole page width. In articles, newsletters, flyers, and brochures, all or only parts of the text may be arranged in two or more columns:

Columns in Word 365

You don’t need to create tables to structure text into columns. Tables are useful for displaying translated versions of the legal document side-by-side, but table cells break the text flow and are not recommended for multi-column layouts. It is more convenient to use columns for text formatting in most other cases. Word also allows you to adjust your columns by adding column breaks.

Format text in columns

To format a text into columns, do the following:

   1.   Do one of the following:

  • To use the same number of columns for an entire document, click anywhere in the document (empty or with content).

    If you choose to format text in columns, Word fills the first column with text on the page and then moves to the beginning of the next column. When all columns on one page are filled, the text moves to the next page.

  • To format only a part of the document, select the paragraphs that you want to wrap in columns.

    If you select a part of the text and wrap it in columns, Word inserts section breaks at the beginning and end of the selected text to delineate the area where the column layout is applied:

    Columns in section Word 365

    See more about breaks and how to display them.

To manually specify where the text in each column should end, you can use a column break.

   2.   On the Layout tab, in the Page Setup group, click the Columns button:

Columns button in Word 365

   3.   In the Columns dropdown list, select one of the options:

More Columns in Word 365

  • One (used by default),
  • Two, Three to create two or three columns of equal width,
  • Left, Right to create two columns of unequal width,
  • More Columns… to specify more options in the Columns dialog box:

    Columns dialog box in Word 365

    • In the Presets section, you can choose the same options as in the Columns dropdown list – One, Two, Three, Left, or Right.
    • If you need more columns, type or select the number of columns you need in the Number of columns field. The maximum number of columns may vary depending on the font, font size, margins, etc. E.g., 13.
    • The Line between checkbox inserts a vertical line between columns. This line clearly defines column borders, especially if you want to fit as much content on the page as possible (very handy for cheat sheets).
      See more options below.

Format columns

   I.   It is recommended to justify the paragraphs in columns to give the page a clean and organized appearance. To justify the column text, select it and do one of the following:

  • On the Home tab, in the Paragraph group, click the Justify button:

    Justify button in Word 365

  • Press Ctrl+J.

   II.   To change the width of columns or the space between them, do the following:

   1.   Click anywhere in the columnar text.

   2.   Do one of the following:

  • On the Layout tab, in the Page Layout group, click the Columns button, then choose More Columns…

    In the Columns dialog box, in the Width and spacing section:

    Width and spacing in Columns dialog box Word 365

    In the Width box for any columns, enter or select a new width.

    The Width measurements for the other columns change to match, and the width of all the columns changes.

    See how the columns will be displayed in the Preview section.

  • On the horizontal ruler, drag the margins to change the width of the columns:

    Horizontal ruler for columns in Word 365

   III.   To reduce white space on text lines, you can set up Word to hyphenate the text and break long words into syllables. See how to hyphenate automatically and manually for more details.

Remove columns

To remove column layout for the selected text or entire document, do the following:

   1.   Click anywhere in the columnar text.

   2.   On the Layout tab, in the Page Layout group, click the Columns button, then choose One.

Insert a column break

In the Word document, you can manually break columns. When you break a column, the text after the break moves to the top of the next column:

Column break in Word 365

You can display column breaks as regular nonprintable symbols. Word displays them as Column break in Word 365.

To insert a column break, position the cursor at the beginning of the line you want to start in the new column, and then do any of the following:

  • On the Layout tab, in the Page Setup group, click the Breaks button, and then click Column to insert a column break:

    Column in Page Breaks Word 365

  • Press Ctrl+Shift+Enter.

The column break is inserted, and the cursor moves to the beginning of the next column.

Remove a column break

To remove a column break, click at the left end of the break or select the break and press the Delete key.

Sometimes, you need more space on a single page. In Word documents, the best way to do that is to learn how to make columns in Microsoft Word. These give you more space and improve readability.

Intro how to create a column in WordIntro how to create a column in WordIntro how to create a column in Word

Learn more about creating columns in Word in this tutorial. (Background graphic source: Envato Elements.)

There are many options for creating columns in Word. Maybe you want two, three, or even more column Word options. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to create a column in Word and explore all the options.

Why You Should Add Columns in Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word columns are a popular and stylish way to format text. You’ll often see them in printed form, and they’re very easy to create for yourself. I like to add columns in Word to help lay out my documents in an elegant way. 

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to create columns in Word. Like I said, it’s a fast and easy process. Once you learn how, you’ll be creating columns in Word often. 

But before we get started, it pays to ask: why learn how to make columns in Microsoft Word? The advantages are many, so let’s explore them.

How to create columns in WordHow to create columns in WordHow to create columns in Word

Using columns helps you add more content to a page, while keeping it clear and readable. (Image source: Envato Elements.)

By adding column Word designs, you can fit more content onto a page. With columns, you can visually define different sections of your document. Learning how to create columns in Word gives you new options for positioning your content.

Imagine for a moment the front page of your favorite newspaper. Think of how many different topics — in the form of sections and articles — can fit on a single page! Yet, these layouts accomplish this without appearing messy or cluttered. At a glance, you can distinguish unique sections. 

This isn’t the only benefit. When you’re creating columns in Word, you’ll also enjoy:

  • More readable designs. Vast sections of text clustered in paragraphs aren’t visually inviting. With columns, your document layouts are cleaner and easier to read.
  • Foldable layouts. With text in columns, you can fold pages once you print them, to create sleek newsletters and more. 
  • Paper savings. By packing more content onto each page, you’ll create shorter documents. This is especially valuable if you’re planning to print copies. 

As you can see, the benefits of Microsoft Word columns are many. And in moments, you’ll know how to make them for yourself.

The best way to start is with a premium Microsoft Word template from Envato Elements. These expertly-built designs help you build stylish documents in seconds. 

Newsletter Microsoft Word columnsNewsletter Microsoft Word columnsNewsletter Microsoft Word columns

Download the premium Newsletter template from Envato Elements to follow along with our Microsoft Word columns tutorial.

In this tutorial, we’ll be working with the Newsletter | MS Word & InDesign template from Envato Elements. Download it today to follow along.

Now, let’s get started!

The tips in this section were written using macOS and Office 365. If you’ve got a different operating system or a different version of Microsoft Word, your steps may be slightly different.

How to Add Multiple Columns in Word

With the Newsletter template downloaded and open in Microsoft Word, let’s get to work. It’s time to learn how to create columns in Word. We’ll get started by working on a blank page inside the template. Think of this page as a clean slate. On it, you want to feature text in a column layout.

We’ll start by constructing a basic two-column layout in MS Word. Place your cursor on the blank page. This tells Word that you’re ready to edit and add style elements to the selected page. 

Now, you’ll want to find the Layout tab in Word. This sits on the ribbon. If you’re unfamiliar, the ribbon is the row of menus that sits on the upper left side of your Word screen. Find it by looking for the buttons labeled Home, Insert, Draw and more.

Here, click on Layout. The Layout tab is really the hub for your Word document’s visual format. It controls how and where text and content fits onto the page.

With the Layout tab open, you’ll see an array of options available to you. In this case, Columns is the button that you need. Click on it, and a popup menu appears.

Microsoft Word columnsMicrosoft Word columnsMicrosoft Word columns

Add columns by going to the Layout tab and choosing the Columns dropdown.

On this menu, you’ll have several choices for multi-column layouts in Word. Remember, here we want to add a simple two-column layout. Click on Two. Word instantly adds two columns to the selected page and all subsequent pages in your Word doc. 

Keep in mind, on a blank page you won’t see anything happen. But once you start typing, you’ll see that Word splits the text you type into a two-column layout. 

Column WordColumn WordColumn Word

Text will appear in your columns as you type in Microsoft Word.

As you imagine how to use Microsoft Word columns, remember that you’re not limited to only two columns. In fact, Word offers you wide flexibility as you create your own column layouts. 

The best way to explore these features is to again start by working with a blank page in your Word document. Return to the Layout > Columns button and click on it. But this time, choose More Columns from the list of options displayed to you. 

When you click, Word opens the Columns menu. On it, you’ve got a full suite of customization options. 

At the top, you’ll see Presets. These are defined layouts that you can apply with a single click. There are options for one, two, and three columns per page. 

How to create a column in WordHow to create a column in WordHow to create a column in Word

The More Columns menu in Word gives you full design and stylistic control over your column Word layouts.

Also, you can add left and right columns. As shown in the previews, these are two-column layouts with unique widths. The Left option adds a narrow left column and a wide right column. Choosing Right delivers the opposite result. 

Below, in the Manual group, you’ll find that Word gives you full control over column layouts. Here, it’s possible to set a custom number of columns to display on each page. For example, you can type 4 into the box, and Word adds four columns. The Line Between checkbox helps you add a visual delineation between each of the new columns. 

Here are other settings that help you harness complete control of creating columns in Word:

  • The Width and Spacing section controls the dimensions of each individual column.
  • At first, this section is grayed out, as Equal Column Width is automatically checked. To work with this group, uncheck the Equal Column Width box.
  • With the section active, you can adjust the dimensions and proportions of each column.
  • The Width boxes control the specific columns. The Spacing boxes control how far apart columns are from each other.
  • Finally, you’ve got the option to choose where to apply your column settings. Choose between the Whole Document and This Point Forward. The latter applies settings to your file only after the point where your cursor is placed. 

Once you’ve made your selections, click OK to apply the settings that you’ve chosen. Now, you’re ready to start working with Microsoft Word columns.

From here, you can add text and other content just like you normally do in Microsoft Word. Start by typing in your own words. As words flow, you’ll see that Word drops them neatly into place using the column layout that you’ve chosen. 

Similarly, other content that you add fits into the columns. For example, let’s add an image. Place your cursor in a column spot where you want to place a photo. Find the Insert tab, and then click Pictures > Picture From File. Select a photo on your computer, and then click Insert. 

Creating columns in WordCreating columns in WordCreating columns in Word

You can add text, photos, and more to column Word layouts. (Image source: Envato Elements.)

Word inserts the photo, perfectly placed into your column. The width adjusts to fit neatly into the space that you’ve specified. This also works for charts, graphics, and more. When you design a column layout, Word’s features place and scale content in the columns.

As you can see, it’s easy to learn how to create a column in Word. With a few clicks, you can split the text into two or more columns on any page. From there, you can easily add text, photos, graphics, and more.

Word helps you size and scale all of your content into column format. This creates an attractive, engaging document for readers to enjoy. 

How to Add Columns from Existing Text in Word

We’ve learned how to create columns in Word. But as you saw in the above examples, we practiced using blank pages. What happens if you already have text on a page, and then decide that you want to put it in column format? 

Fortunately, Word has you covered. You can create column Word designs with text that you already have in place. There’s no need to delete or retype anything! Let’s learn how.

Imagine for a moment that you’ve got a page in your premium template with text on it. Now, you want to display the text in columns, rather than the single, full-page paragraphs that it’s in now. 

To place this text in Microsoft Word columns, you’ll first need to select the text. To do so, click and drag your cursor over the text that you want to move into columns. You’ll see Word select it, signified by pale blue shading.

How to make columns in Microsoft WordHow to make columns in Microsoft WordHow to make columns in Microsoft Word

To convert existing text into columns, begin by selecting the text with your cursor.

Then, repeat the steps that we followed earlier to add columns. With the text still selected, find the Layout tab, and open the Columns drop-down. Choose the number of columns you want (or use the More Columns option, if you need to customize the design). 

How to create columns in Word from existing textHow to create columns in Word from existing textHow to create columns in Word from existing text

Word will split existing text into columns with the words selected.

Word adds the columns that you select. Your selected text will re-format, appearing in one or more of the new columns, depending on length. From here, you can make the same adjustments to column width and more, using the More Columns feature in MS Word. 

The Best Microsoft Word Templates for Column Designs (With Unlimited Downloads) 

You’ve learned how to create columns in Word. And you know that premium templates are the best way to get started. The best source for these is Envato Elements. 

Elements is a creative powerhouse with a winning offer: unlimited downloads. For a low, flat rate, you can download as many stunning premium MS Word templates as you want. With your membership, you also have access to fonts, stock photos, and so much more. 

Explore Microsoft Word Templates

Envato Elements Microsoft Word columnsEnvato Elements Microsoft Word columnsEnvato Elements Microsoft Word columns

Envato Elements: thousands of templates, one low price.

When you choose a premium MS Word template from Envato Elements, you’ll enjoy these key benefits:

  • Studio-quality layouts. Designs are built by creative experts. That means you’ll gain the advantage of styles that you can’t build by yourself. 
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Now You Know How to Make Columns in Microsoft Word

Just like that, you’ve learned how to create a column in Word. It’s a powerful stylistic tool that you can use in seconds! You can create more space for your content now that you know how to create a column in Word to do just that.

With multiple columns, you’ve got a new design dimension in Word documents. Try it out now to create a compelling, readable document. 

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I believe that life is too short to do just one thing. In college, I studied Accounting and Finance but continue to scratch my creative itch with my work for Envato Tuts+ and other clients. By day, I enjoy my career in corporate finance, using data and analysis to make decisions.

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Updated: 01/18/2023 by

Microsoft Word

Columns are a great organizational tool. In a document, they can divide a page to present specific content in an orderly fashion. Microsoft Word accommodates 1 to 13 columns on one page. The following sections show you how to create, add, and delete columns in Word documents.

Creating columns

  1. Open the Word document where you want to add columns.
  2. In the Ribbon, click the Layout tab.
  3. In the Page Setup section, click the down arrow under Columns, then select More Columns.
  4. For Number of columns, you can type in a number or use the up and down arrows to select a number. If the Equal column width option is checked, Word automatically sets the columns to be evenly spaced.
  5. Click OK to add the columns to the Word document.

Word columns

  1. In Image 1 below, you can see how the text «The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog» looks with three columns. In Image 2 below, you can see what the same text looks like with the maximum 13 columns.

Image 1

Word columns 3

Image 2

Word columns 13

Inserting column breaks

After creating a document with multiple columns, it may be necessary to enter column breaks into the text to move text to the next available column.

To insert a column break, move your cursor to where you want to insert the break and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter shortcut key. Alternatively, you can go to the Layout tab on the Ribbon, click Breaks, and then select Column.

Removing columns

If you need to delete columns in a Word document, follow the steps below.

  1. Open the Word document where you need to remove columns.
  2. In the Ribbon, click the Layout tab.
  3. In the Page Setup section, click the down arrow under Columns, then select More Columns.
  4. For Number of columns, you can type in a number or use the up and down arrows to select a number. The number entered or selected must be less than the current number of columns, if you want to remove columns.
  5. Click OK to remove the columns in the Word document.

Tip

If you don’t want the document to have any columns, click Layout, Columns, and select One.

Home > Microsoft Word > How to Add Columns in Microsoft Word? All You Need to Know

(Note: This guide on how to add columns in Word is suitable for all MS Word versions including Office 365)

Columns are used in newspapers, magazines, academic journals, and newsletters. They improve the document’s organization and its readability. Word allows you to adjust columns by including page breaks to utilize all of the available space on the page. You can format the document in a newspaper-style column by adding columns. 

You’ll Learn:

  • Add Columns in Word
  • Adding Column Breaks
  • Remove Columns
  • Customize Columns
  • Navigating Between Columns
    • Through the Menu
    • Through Keyboard Shortcut
  • Show Text Boundaries
  • Inserting Multiple Columns in a Document
  • Insert a Line Between Two Columns
Add columns in word
Add columns in word

Select the Layout tab, then choose from the options available. You can make your text appear in two, three, left-aligned, or right-aligned.

Applying two columns
Applying two columns

Add Columns in Word

Select the text where you wish to apply the column formatting. Choose any of the formats from the drop-down menu and click it. The two-column format splits your column into two or more columns.

More Columns option
More Columns option

If you wish to have customized columns, select More Columns. Here, you can choose your width and spacing or use one of the preset methods.

There are four basic types of columns that can be applied to the text.

  • Book – the text continues from one column to the next on reaching the bottom of a page.
  • Newspaper – the text continues elsewhere in the article if it is not completed on a page.
  • Table – the vertical field of cells within a table or a database.
  • Tabbed – these columns are used in a menu to display an item on the left and its details on the right. The tabbed column can have more than just two columns. When it has more details, it appears as the third or fourth column spaced by tabbing to a specific measurement.

Adding Column Breaks

A column break inserts a hard break in the inserted location and forces the rest of the text to appear in the next column. It controls the flow of text from one column to the next.

Adding column breaks

Adding column breaks

Position your cursor at the place where you wish the column break to appear. Then click on Layout -> Breaks -> Column. In the example above, the cursor was placed before the subheading “Post Hashtags” and then the column page break was clicked.

Applying column breaks to the text
Applying column breaks to the text

After applying that option, you find that the subheading is pushed to the next column and the text follows it as shown below.

After applying column break

After applying column break

Related Reads:

  • How to Find and Replace in Word? 7 Simple Methods
  • How to Superscript in Word? 4 Easy Methods
  • How to Double Space in Word? 4 Easy Ways

Remove Columns

To remove the columns in the text, select the entire text and click on One column and it removes the formatting that was applied to it.

Remove column
Remove column

Customize Column

To customize the columns, click on More Columns. By default, the Presets has automatically formatted columns with equal spacings between the columns. You can check the box Line between if you wish to have a line between two columns.

If you don’t wish to have equal spacings between two columns, uncheck the box Equal column width at the bottom of the dialog box.

Customize column
Customize column

Under the Width and spacing option, you can preset the column width and the spacing between them for the columns that you have in the document. This formatting can be applied to either the selected text, selected section, or the whole document.  

Select the place from where customized column has to appear
Select the place from where the customized column has to appear

Navigating Between Columns

It is tricky to navigate from one column to another. Sometimes, you have to type in the first column and end it to start typing in the second column. To do that, insert column breaks before the text from where you want the text to appear in the second column. If you are using a table, it is easy to navigate between the cells just by making use of the Tab key.

Through Menu

Page breaks can be applied by clicking on the layout tab first, then clicking breaks and choosing columns.

Through Keyboard Shortcut

Place the cursor near the text that you want to display in the new column. Press Ctrl + Shift + Enter simultaneously and you can find the further text shifting to the second column.

Show Text Boundaries

Text boundaries are dotted lines that appear in the document to mark the limits of text elements. When you use text boundaries, dotted lines appear around the margins of your text, around the headers, footers, footnotes, etc.

Select File -> Options -> Advanced -> Show document content -> Show text boundaries to apply text boundaries.

Show text boundaries
Show text boundaries

After you apply these options, the text appears like this. This feature is useful if you work often with Print Layout View.

Columns showing boundaries
Columns showing boundaries

Suggested Reads:

  • How to Make a Checklist in Word? 3 Simple Steps
  • How to Track Changes in Word? A Step-by-Step Guide
  • How to Delete a Page in Word?

Inserting Multiple Columns in a Document

While typing in a new document, you can include two or more columns and later decide that you want to stick onto a single paragraph itself. Place the cursor at the place where there’s no further text and click on Layout -> Columns -> More Columns. At the bottom of the dialog box, you will notice a drop-down menu Apply to. Choose This point forward to make the text that follows the two-column paragraph appear in a single paragraph.

Insert multiple columns in a document

Insert multiple columns in a document

Insert a Line Between Two Columns

When you add columns in word, you can insert a line between the columns to show the division between the columns. A line can be drawn between two or three columns by clicking on the options Layout -> Columns -> More Columns -> Line between.

Insert line between two columns
Insert line between two columns

You can see a line between the two columns after you select the check box. You must remember that this checkbox gets enabled only if you have a text to appear as two or three columns. You can see that the option is not enabled if it is a single paragraph.

A line inserted between the two columns
A line inserted between the two columns

You have the text split into two columns and a line dividing them. Now, you wish to change the column width and the spacing between them. You can do that by unchecking the checkbox Equal column width at the bottom of the dialog box. After you click OK, you can see the column width of column 1  has increased.

Change the width of the columns

Change the width of the columns

More Reads:

  • How to Add Page Numbers in Word? 3 Easy Examples
  • How to Create Professional Documents in Microsoft Word – Recorded Webinar
  • How to Convert PDF to Word

Closing Thoughts

Adding columns in Word improves the document’s readability and appearance. You can fit a little more text when you lay it out in the columns rather than laying it out in a single line. The shorter lines are easier to read as the reader’s eyes need not travel to the end of the page to read it.

In this article, we saw how to add column breaks, customize a column, and modify its width and spacings. You can explore every option in the Columns menu and try using it in your document.

For more high-quality guides on MS Word or Excel, please visit our free resources section.

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Chris “Simon” Calder was working as a Project Manager in IT for one of Los Angeles’ most prestigious cultural institutions, LACMA.He taught himself to use Microsoft Project from a giant textbook and hated every moment of it. Online learning was in its infancy then, but he spotted an opportunity and made an online MS Project course — the rest, as they say, is history!

Easily create columns in a Word document using these simple instructions.

  • Kazim Ali Alvi

Mar 25, 2021
4 min read

How to Make Columns in Word

Have you ever wondered how to write text in columns like magazines or books? If so, this article is for you. You can make columns in Microsoft Word and add text in the columns seamlessly.

Making Columns in Word

To make columns in word, open an existing or a new document in Word. In the ribbon, click on the ‘Layout’ tab.

You will see ‘Page Setup’ options. Click on the ‘Columns’ icon to open the various options.

Select the number of columns you want to create from the first three options in the drop-down menu. Also, you have two options at the bottom, Left and Right. If you select ‘Left’, the width of content in the right column will be more while in the case of ‘Right’, the width of content in the column on the left will be more. If you want to create more than three columns, click on ‘More Columns…’

A ‘Columns’ dialog box will open. Enter the number of columns you need to create in ‘Number of columns’ value box and click ‘OK’.

The text in the document will now transform according to the number of columns you created. If your document is new, you can type the text which will be aligned in the columns automatically.

Setting Custom Width and Spacing

There are options to create columns according to the width or spacing you want in Word. Click on the ‘Layout’ tab → Click on ‘Columns’ → Select ‘More Columns…’

In the ‘Columns’ dialog box that appears, enter the number of columns you want to create. Then change the values according to your need in ‘Width’ and ‘Spacing’ columns and Click ‘OK’.

The columns you created with custom width will have equal width on every column. For example, if you have created three columns with custom width of 3.8 cm, then the three columns in the document will have same width.

If you need to create columns with different widths, uncheck the ‘Equal column width’ checkbox in the ‘Column’ dialog box and enter the values against each column and click ‘OK’.

Making Columns from Specific Point/Section

There may be a need to make columns in a specific point/page of a document. If you are creating a cover page, creating columns to the whole document will be of no use.

To create columns from a specific point, place the cursor at the starting point from where you need columns and click on the ‘Layout’ tab in the ribbon → Click on ‘Columns’ in the Page Setup section → select ‘More Columns..’ → Enter the number of columns you want in ‘Number of columns’ value box.

Now, click on the drop-down button beside ‘Apply to:’ and select ‘This point forward’ if you want to create columns from a specific point or select ‘This section’ if you want to create columns for a specific section and click ‘OK’.

Enabling ‘Show Text Boundaries’

Many users prefer text boundary as it helps them distinguish and easily identify the various text columns, thus eliminating the chances of confusion. Text boundary is by default disabled in Word and you can easily enable it from the ‘File Menu’. Also, it can be enabled both, when you start with the document or after you are done.

Select and open the ‘File’ menu from the ribbon at the top.

Now, you will see the various settings and details for the current document. In the list of icons at the left, click on ‘Options’.

The ‘Word Options’ window will open, now select the ‘Advanced’ tab on the left.

In the ‘Advanced’ tab, scroll down to ‘Show document content’, tick the checkbox for ‘Show text boundaries’ and then click on ‘OK’ at the bottom to apply the change.

Once you have enabled the text boundaries, you will notice lines around the text in your document which will help identify the various columns and paragraph breaks.

This will help you in making columns for the whole document or from a specific point in Microsoft Word and customize them according to your need.

You may find yourself needing to separate your document, or at least part of it, into parallel columns, the good thing is Word makes it easy to do so. When separating the text into columns, it flows from one column and continues to the other one next to it. You can also separate just a part of your text. This is useful for writing a newsletter, a scientific paper, or just separating your content and making it easier to read.

So, in this guide, you will learn how to create columns in Word using different methods.

How to make two columns in Microsoft Word

With this method, you will be able to split your Word document into two separate columns.

  1. First, we have to open the document we want to edit. It can be a blank document but it needs to have some text first to separate it into columns.
  2. Select the text that you want to separate into columns.
    how to make columns in word
  3. Click on the Layout tab (Formerly Page Layout for Word 2007 and 2010)
    page layout
  4. Click the Columns button on the Page Setup section
    Page setup
  5. This opens up a list that lets you select the number of columns you want to separate your text. We will choose two columns.
    column numbers
  6. Once you have selected two columns, Word will separate your text into two columns.
    select two columns
  7. The text you write in will go from the left column to the right.

How to make three columns or more in Microsoft Word

Sometimes you are in the need of separating your text into more than two columns. The amazing thing about Word is that it lets you separate it into three or more columns. Here are the steps for doing so:

  1. Open up the document you want to edit
  2. Select the text you want to separate into columns
    select text
  3. Click on the Layout tab (Formerly Page Layout for Word 2007 and 2010)
    layout tab
  4. Click the Columns button on the Page Setup section
  5. If you need to separate the text into three columns, click on Three, and the text will be separated into 3 columns.
    select more columns
  6. If you need to have more than 3 columns, click on More columns
  7. There you will be able to manually enter the number of columns you want. 
    enter column numbers
    Pro tip: In this section, you can also specify the Width and Spacing of the columns
  8. You can select if you want to apply the columns to the selected text only, the whole document, or from a specific point forward.
    apply selected to columns

Now you may be asking, “how do I control where the column ends?”. Well, Microsoft Word has a function that lets you do that, and it’s called Break. Let’s break it down

How to make a column break on Microsoft Word

If you are using columns and want the text you have to start atop the next column, you can use a column break. Here are the steps

  1. Click on the beginning of the text you want to start the next column
    how to make column breaks in word
  2. Click the Layout tab (formerly known as Page Layout for Word 2007 and Word 2010)
    layout tab
  3. In the Page Setup section, you will find the Break button. This will show you the different options for Page breaks and section breaks. In the Page break portion, click on Column
    page breaks in word
  4. Now the column will start at the point you have selected
    column

And that’s it! You are now a pro at creating columns in Microsoft Word. You can repeat these steps anytime you need them.

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