Columns

Specifies the number of columns and the column layout for a page style, frame, or section.

To access this command...

Choose Format - Page - Columns tab

Choose Format - Frame and Object - Properties - Columns tab

Choose View - Styles - open context menu Modify/New - Columns tab

Choose Insert - Frame - Frame - Columns tab

Choose Insert/Format - Section(s) - Columns tab


Default settings

You can select from predefined column layouts, or create your own. When you apply a layout to a page style, all pages that use the style are updated. Similarly, when you apply a column layout to a frame style, all frames that use that style are updated. You can also change the column layout for a single frame.

Columns

Enter the number of columns that you want in the page, frame, or section.

You can also select one of the predefined column layouts.

Selection fields

Evenly distribute contents to all columns

Evenly distributes the text in multi-column sections.

Width and spacing

If the Automatic width check box is not selected, enter the width and spacing options for the columns.

(Column number)

Displays the column number, as well as width and distance to the adjacent columns.

Left Arrow

Moves the column display one column to the left.

Icon

Left Arrow

Right Arrow

Moves the column display one column to the right.

Icon

Right Arrow

Width

Enter the width of the column.

Spacing

Enter the amount of space that you want to leave between the columns.

AutoWidth

Creates columns of equal width.

Preview Field

Displays a preview of the current selection.

The column layout preview only shows the columns and not the surrounding page.

Separator line

This area is only available if your layout contains more than one column.

Line

Select the formatting style for the column separator line. If you do not want a separator line, choose "None".

Height

Enter the length of the separator line as a percentage of the height of the column area.

Position

Select the vertical alignment of the separator line. This option is only available if Height value of the line is less than 100%.

Apply to

Select the item that you want to apply the column layout to. This option is only available if you access this dialog by choosing Format - Columns.

Properties

Text direction

Specify the text direction for a paragraph that uses complex text layout (CTL). This feature is only available if complex text layout support is enabled.