How to Change Column Settings in InDesign

Many times it's easier to change the number of columns on a page created in Adobe InDesign before you begin creating frames. You can also use a different number of columns for the top and bottom halves of the page if, for example, you have two different stories. This may make it easier for the reader.

Instructions

1. Turn on the guides by choosing "View" and "Show Guides" from the InDesign menu.

2. Double-click the appropriate page number icon in the Pages palette to center it in the document window. You may need to click on another page and then back to the one you want to be certain you only highlight one page.

3. Select "Layout" then "Margins and Columns" from the InDesign menu.

4. Type the number of columns under "Number."

5. Create the text or object frames by using the Rectangle tool.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also type the number of columns into the control palette once you have your page in the window.

• Drag the text frame to change its size if you aren't concerned with the frames being evenly spaced.