How to Add Columns in Microsoft Word

This wikiHow teaches you how to create columns of text (similar to a newspaper or magazine) in Microsoft Word.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Using Column Presets

  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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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Creating Custom Columns

  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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Community Q&A

  • Question
    How do I add columns to the middle of the document without changing the format of the entire document?
    Ps46
    Ps46
    Community Answer
    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
    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

Jack Lloyd
Written by:
Jack Lloyd
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jack Lloyd. Jack Lloyd is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. He has over two years of experience writing and editing technology-related articles. He is technology enthusiast and an English teacher. This article has been viewed 533,092 times.
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Co-authors: 13
Updated: January 31, 2023
Views: 533,092
Categories: Microsoft Word
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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