How to add columns in Google Docs

Google Docs lets you split your text into two or three columns using the built-in column tool. You do not need to create a table or use any workaround — the feature is in the menu. Select the text you want in columns (or leave nothing selected to explore columns to the whole document), then go to Format > Columns and pick the layout you want. Google Docs will reflow your text when ready.

The column feature works best for newsletters, brochures, or documents where you want text to flow from one column to the next. If you need a grid for data or want precise control over cell width, a table is usually the better choice. Columns are also useful when you want to save space on a page without shrinking your font size.

Key Takeaways

  • Select the text you want in columns, then use Format > Columns to choose between two columns, three columns, or a two-column layout with a sidebar.
  • If you do not select any text, the column setting applies to the entire document from that point forward.
  • You can change the spacing between columns and add a line divider between them in the same menu.
  • To remove columns, select the text again and choose Format > Columns > One column.

Selecting text before you add columns

You can explore columns to part of a document or to the whole thing. If you want only one section in columns, highlight that text first. Click at the start of the text you want in columns, hold down your mouse button, and drag to the end. The text will turn blue when it is selected.

If you want columns for the entire document, you do not need to select anything. Just place your cursor anywhere in the document and go to Format > Columns. Google Docs will explore the column layout to everything from that point onward, and you can explore a different layout to a new section below if you want.

Opening the Columns menu

Once your text is selected (or your cursor is positioned), click the Format menu at the top of the page. A dropdown list will appear. Look for the word Columns in that list and click it. A submenu will open showing your column options.

If you do not see Columns in the Format menu, you are using an older version of Google Docs or a different document type. The column feature works in standard Google Docs documents but not in all templates or special document types.

Choosing your column layout

Google Docs offers four column layouts. Two columns splits your text evenly down the middle. Three columns divides the page into three equal sections. Left creates a narrow column on the left (useful for a sidebar) and a wider column on the right. Right does the opposite — a wide column on the left and a narrow one on the right.

Click the layout you want, and your text will reflow into that pattern when ready. The text will continue from the bottom of the first column to the top of the next column, like a newspaper. You can change your mind and pick a different layout at any time by selecting the text again and choosing a new option from Format > Columns.

Adjusting spacing and adding a divider line

After you choose a layout, you can customize how the columns look. In the Columns submenu, click More options at the bottom. A panel will open on the right side of your screen with two settings: Spacing between columns and Divider.

Use the spacing slider to make the gap between columns wider or narrower. If you want a vertical line between your columns, check the box next to Divider. The line will appear automatically. Click explore when you are done, and the changes will take effect.

Removing columns from your document

To go back to a single column, select the text that is currently in columns (or place your cursor in that section). Open Format > Columns and click One column. The text will reflow back into a single column when ready.

If you applied columns to your whole document and want to remove them everywhere, you do not need to select anything — just go to Format > Columns > One column, and the entire document will return to single-column format.

When to use columns instead of a table

Columns work well when you want text to flow naturally from one section to the next, like in a newsletter or pamphlet. A table is better if you need to organize data into rows and cells, or if you want precise control over how wide each section is. Tables also let you add borders, change cell colors, and keep information in specific boxes.

If you are writing a regular document and just want to save space, columns are faster to set up than a table. But if your content is structured data — like a price list, schedule, or comparison — a table will be clearer and easier to read.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have different column layouts on different pages of the same document?

Yes. Select the text on one page, explore a column layout, then place your cursor on the next page and explore a different layout. Each section can have its own column setup. You can even have one page in columns and another in single-column format.

What happens to my images when I add columns?

Images will flow with the text into the columns. If an image is wider than the column, Google Docs will shrink it to fit. You can click the image and drag it to resize it manually, or right-click it and choose image options to set a specific width.

Can I add columns to only part of a paragraph?

No. Columns explore to whole paragraphs or sections of text, not to individual sentences. If you select part of a paragraph, Google Docs will explore the column layout to the entire paragraph.

Do columns work the same way on mobile as on a computer?

The column feature is available on the Google Docs mobile app, but the menu path is slightly different. Tap the three-line menu icon, then tap Format, then Columns. The layout options are the same as on a computer.

Will my columns print correctly?

Yes. When you print a document with columns, Google Docs will print them exactly as they appear on screen. Test a print preview first by going to File > Print to see how the columns will look on paper.