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Tips.Net > WordTips Home > Formatting > Columns > Changing the Number of Columns in the Middle of a Document

Changing the Number of Columns in the Middle of a Document

Summary: Formatting part of a document so that it contains columns can help in the layout of some documents. This formatting trick is easy to do if you remember to set off the text in columns so it is in its own section. This tip presents the steps to follow to get the desired multi-column result. (This tip works with Microsoft Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, and Word 2003.)

For some document layouts, columns can be used to present your information clearly and concisely. What if you already have a document and you want to format only part of it in columns? As an example, let's assume you have a five-page document, and you want to format the center part of page two as three columns. You want the rest of the document to remain a single column. To accomplish this formatting challenge, you can follow these steps:

  1. Place the insertion point at the beginning of the text that will appear in the columns.
  2. Choose Break from the Insert menu. Word displays the Break dialog box. (Click here to see a related figure.)
  3. Choose the Continuous radio button.
  4. Click on OK. Word inserts a continuous section break in your document.
  5. Place the insertion point at the end of the text that will appear in the columns.
  6. Repeat steps 2 through 4 to insert another continuous section break.
  7. Place the insertion point anywhere within the text that will appear in the columns.
  8. Choose the Columns option from the Format menu. You will see the Columns dialog box. (Click here to see a related figure.)
  9. In the Number of Columns field, specify the number of columns you desire.
  10. In the Apply To drop-down list, make sure it says This Section.
  11. Click on OK.

Tip #984 applies to Microsoft Word versions: 97 | 2000 | 2002 | 2003


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