How to Add Columns in Word (2026)
Columns flow text into side-by-side blocks, newspaper-style. Word can apply them to a whole document or just a selected section, with a divider line and manual breaks if you need them. Here’s how.
1. Add Columns to the Whole Document (Windows & Mac)
- Go to the Layout tab.
- Click Columns.
- Choose Two, Three, Left, or Right.
Text reflows automatically — it fills the first column, then continues at the top of the next.
2. Apply Columns to Only Part of the Document
- Select the text you want in columns.
- Layout > Columns > choose a layout.
Word wraps the selection in section breaks so the rest of the document stays single-column.
3. Customize Width and Add a Line Between
- Layout > Columns > More Columns.
- Set the Number of columns, adjust Width and spacing, and check Line between for a divider.
- Choose Apply to: Whole document or This point forward, then OK.
4. Force Text to the Next Column (Column Break)
To push text to the top of the next column before it fills:
- Click where the break should go.
- Layout > Breaks > Column.
5. Word for the Web
Word for the web supports columns via Layout > Columns in current builds. For fine width control and “Line between,” use the desktop app.
6. Troubleshooting
My whole document went into columns, not just the part I picked
You didn’t have text selected, or chose Apply to: Whole document. Select the passage first and set Apply to: Selected text.
One column is much longer than the other
Add a Column break where you want the text to jump, or insert a Continuous section break at the end so Word balances them.
I can’t get back to one column
Place your cursor in the columned section and choose Layout > Columns > One.
Text overlaps or spacing looks cramped
Open More Columns and increase the Spacing between columns.
Related Word guides: How to create a table · How to insert a text box · How to remove a page break · How to double space · How to add a table of contents
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