How to Make Two Columns in Microsoft Word

Creating two columns in Microsoft Word is a straightforward process. Here’s how you can do it:

Method 1: Using Columns Button (for continuous sections)

1. Place Cursor:
   • Position your cursor where you want the columns to begin.
2. Layout Tab:
   • Go to the “Layout” or “Page Layout” tab in the Ribbon.
3. Columns Button:
   • Look for the “Columns” button in the Page Setup group.
   • Click on it, and a drop-down menu will appear.
4. Select Number of Columns:
   • Choose “Two” from the options. If you want more than two columns, you can select the desired number.

Method 2: Using More Columns Option (for custom settings)

1. Place Cursor:
   • Position your cursor where you want the columns to begin.
2. Layout Tab:
   • Go to the “Layout” or “Page Layout” tab in the Ribbon.
3. Columns Dialog Box:
   • Click on the small arrow next to the “Columns” button in the Page Setup group. This will open the “Columns” dialog box.
4. Custom Settings:
   • In the dialog box, you can customize the number of columns, the width and spacing, and whether you want to apply the settings to the whole document or from the current point forward.
5. OK:
   • After adjusting the settings, click “OK” to apply the changes.

Method 3: Using Section Breaks (for different column layouts)

1. Place Cursor:
   • Position your cursor where you want to start the new column layout.
2. Layout Tab:
   • Go to the “Layout” or “Page Layout” tab in the Ribbon.
3. Breaks:
   • Click on “Breaks” in the Page Setup group.
4. Continuous Section Break:
   • Choose “Continuous” under “Section Breaks.” This will start a new section without changing the page.
5. Repeat for Other Sections:
   • Repeat the process for any additional sections where you want a different column layout.
6. Apply Columns Settings:
   • After adding section breaks, use one of the methods mentioned earlier to apply the desired columns within each section.

Remember, if you want to remove columns from part of the document, place the cursor where you want to end the columns, go to the “Layout” tab, click on “Columns,” and choose “One” or “More Columns” depending on your preference.

These steps should work for most versions of Microsoft Word. However, the exact location of buttons or options might vary slightly based on the version you are using.