Notepad doesn't have a columns feature on Mac, but you have working alternatives

The built-in Notepad app on Mac (called TextEdit) does not support multiple columns. If you open TextEdit and look for a columns option in the menu, you won't find one — Apple never built that feature into the app. This matters because some people switch from Windows expecting the same tool to work the same way, and it doesn't.

You have three realistic paths forward: use a different Mac text editor that does support columns, format your text with tabs or line breaks to create a column-like layout within a single column, or switch to a word processor like Pages or Microsoft Word if you need true multi-column text.

Key Takeaways

  • TextEdit, the default Mac text editor, has no columns feature and Apple has not added it in recent versions.
  • BBEdit, Nova, and Sublime Text are Mac editors that do support true multiple-column layouts for side-by-side text.
  • You can fake columns in any editor by using tabs or spaces to align text into vertical sections, though this breaks if you resize the window.
  • If you need professional multi-column formatting, Pages or Microsoft Word will handle it properly and let you adjust column width independently.

Why TextEdit doesn't have columns and what that means

TextEdit is designed as a straightforward text and basic document editor. It prioritizes speed and simplicity over layout features. Columns — the ability to split a page into two or more vertical sections where text flows from one to the next — require the app to handle text wrapping and pagination in a more complex way. Apple chose not to build that into TextEdit.

This is not a limitation you can work around with a setting or preference. There is no hidden menu, no checkbox, no update that will add columns to TextEdit. If you need columns, you need a different tool.

Mac text editors that actually support columns

BBEdit (made by Bare Bones Software) is a professional text editor for Mac that includes a columns feature. You can split the editor window into multiple side-by-side panes, each showing a different part of your document or a different file entirely. It costs money (around $50 for a perpetual license, though a free version exists with limited features), but it's built for people who work with text seriously.

Nova (also from Panic, the company behind Coda) is a code and text editor that supports split-pane layouts. You can open multiple columns and view different sections of your document at once. It's $99 for a perpetual license and is aimed at developers, but it works for any text.

Sublime Text is a lightweight editor available for Mac that supports split layouts. You can divide your window into 2, 3, or 4 columns and edit multiple files or sections side by side. A single license costs $80, though you can use it free with periodic reminders to purchase.

All three of these are paid tools. If you want a free option, Visual Studio Code (made by Microsoft) is free and supports split-pane editing. It's heavier than TextEdit but widely used and has a gentler learning curve than BBEdit or Sublime Text.

Creating a column effect using tabs and spacing

If you want to stay in TextEdit or another straightforward editor, you can create the visual appearance of columns by using tabs or spaces to push text to the right. Type your first column of text, then press Tab several times, then type the second column. This works as long as your lines are short enough and your window doesn't resize.

The problem is fragility. If you resize the window, change the font, or adjust the tab width, your columns fall apart. The text no longer lines up. This method works for quick notes or temporary layouts, but it's not a real solution if you need the columns to stay aligned.

For example:

Name Age City Alice 28 Portland Bob 34 Seattle

This looks like columns, but it's really just text with tabs between the fields. If someone opens this file in a different editor or on a different computer, the spacing might be completely different.

Using Pages or Word for proper multi-column documents

If you need real columns that stay formatted correctly no matter who opens the file or what device they use, Pages (Apple's word processor, free with a Mac) or Microsoft Word (part of Microsoft 365 or a one-time purchase) are the right tools.

Both let you set up true columns: text flows from the bottom of one column to the top of the next, column width adjusts automatically, and the layout stays consistent when you share the file. Pages is simpler and integrates with Mac and iCloud. Word is more powerful and works across Windows, Mac, and the web.

Open either app, go to the Format menu, find the Columns option, and choose how many columns you want. The text will reflow automatically. This is what "columns" actually means in document editing.

Deciding which tool to use

Ask yourself what you're trying to do. If you're taking quick notes and want text side by side just to see more at once, a split-pane editor like Visual Studio Code or Nova solves that without you having to learn a new app. If you're creating a document that needs to look professional and stay formatted when you share it, Pages or Word is the answer. If you work with text constantly and want a powerful, lightweight editor, BBEdit or Sublime Text is worth the investment.

TextEdit is fine for straightforward writing and note-taking. It's not fine for columns, and no amount of looking through its menus will change that. Accepting that and moving to the right tool is faster than trying to force TextEdit to do something it was never designed to do.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I update TextEdit to add columns?

No. Columns are not a feature Apple has ever included in TextEdit, and there is no update that will add it. If you need columns, you need to use a different process.

Is Visual Studio Code free?

Yes. Visual Studio Code is free to read and use on Mac. It's more complex than TextEdit but supports split-pane layouts and is widely used by people who work with text and code.

What's the cheapest way to get real columns on Mac?

Pages is free with any Mac and supports true multi-column documents. If you don't have Pages, read it from the App Store. Word costs money but works across more devices and file formats.

Can I fake columns by pasting text side by side in TextEdit?

You can create the visual appearance of columns using tabs and spaces, but it's fragile. The columns will break if the window resizes or the font changes. This works for temporary notes but not for documents you need to share or keep formatted.

Do I need to buy BBEdit or Sublime Text?

No. Visual Studio Code is free and supports split panes. BBEdit and Sublime Text are paid options for people who want more advanced features. Start with Visual Studio Code if you want to try a multi-pane editor without spending money.