Intermediate Microsoft Word Training
Technology 4
Summer 2007
Nebo Elementary School
Instructor: Mr. Michaud

Tech 4 Index Next Topic: Tabs
Columns:

Columns divide the "main body" page into sections similar to the layout of a newspaper or pamplet.  While Text Boxes and Tables are in the "second stream" of data, Columns divide the page on where the "main body" text rests.  Columns are usefull in Newspaper, Brochure, or Pamphlet type layouts.  A section of Text will "carry over" from one column to the next automatically.  Text in Text Boxes of Table Cells will remain locked into the box or cell.  Think of using Columns for long sections of prose like a newspaper article.  Tables are used for shorter paragraphs or lists of words.

Column Exercise:

For this exercise you will need a long body of text.  To save typing time (unless you have a short story you are dying to write!) I suggest going to the Internet and copying a body of text.  I will use "The Gift of the Magi" by O'Henry for my example.

1. Find your text on the Internet. 
(I recommend a short story in the public domain.)
2. Highlight the text and select "Edit-Copy" from the menu bar.
3. Open a Blank Word Document.
4. Select "Format-Columns"
5. Select 3 Column format. Click "OK."
6. Select "Edit-Paste" to place your text.
(If your columns disappear:
  • Do an "Edit-Undo"
  • Hit "Enter" once
  • Select "Edit-Paste" again.

7. The text should line itself up in three columns (and several pages if long enough).
Notice how the text automatically continues from one column to the next.

Experiment with font size and paragraph spacing to balance the look and readability of your text.

(I did adjust the font size to 10 and set the paragraph format to add space after each paragraph to make the text look clearer.)


Tech 4 Index Next Topic: Tabs