How to Add Columns to a Microsoft Word Document

You can add columns to a Microsoft Word 97 and 2000 (for PC) and 98 (for Macintosh) document to give it a newsletter or magazine look. The Columns button on the toolbar is the easiest way to insert columns, but you can be more precise with the Columns command in the Format menu.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Microsoft Word

Inserting Columns Using the Columns Button on the Standard Toolbar

1. Go to the View menu and select Page (or Print) Layout.

2. Select the entire document or the text you want to place in columns.

3. Click the Columns button on the Standard toolbar. The Columns button looks like a page with two columns of text on it.

4. In the palette that opens, drag to the right to select the number of columns you want on your page, then let go of the mouse button. The text will now be separated into columns.

Inserting Columns Using the Format Menu

5. Select the text you want to place in columns.

6. Go to the Format menu and select Columns.

7. Select the number of columns you want by clicking on one of the preset buttons or by entering a number in the "Number of columns" box.

8. Select the width and spacing or use the default width and spacing that Word provides.

9. Go to the "Apply to" drop-down menu and select the part of the document to which you want to apply these columns.

10. Click the "Line between" check box to insert a line between the columns.

11. View your selections in the Preview window.

12. Click OK to implement your selections.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't see the Columns button, open the Standard toolbar by going to the View menu and selecting Toolbars, then Standard.