Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here: Columns within Text Boxes.
As you are laying out your pages using the features of Word, it is not uncommon to use text boxes. You may have a need, however, to place multiple columns of text within a text box. Should be easy, right? After all, you can create columns within the regular body of a document, right?
Well, it is sort of easy. Fact of the matter is, there is no way to create multiple columns within a text box. However, you can use multiple text boxes, side-by-side, that are linked. This allows your text to freely flow from the left text box to the neighboring right text box, just as text would flow within columns.
Once you have your two text boxes placed next to each other and sized appropriately, you can link them (so the text flows properly) by following these steps:
Enter your text in the left-most text box, as desired. When it reaches the bottom of the text box, it flows to the right text box. You can also format your text boxes so that borders appear as desired. For instance, if you want a single border around the entire two-columns you are creating, then make sure your two "column" text boxes appear within a larger text box. You can remove the borders from the column text boxes, but keep the border on the larger text box. If you then group the three text boxes, you can move them as a complete, single unit.
Another potential solution is to create a two-column, single-row table in your text box. You can then place information in either the left or right column of the table, as desired. The drawback to this approach, of course, is that text will not freely flow from one table column to the other.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (7754) applies to Microsoft Word 2007. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Columns within Text Boxes.
Learning Made Easy! Quickly teach yourself how to format, publish, and share your content using Word 2013. With Step by Step, you set the pace, building and practicing the skills you need, just when you need them! Check out Microsoft Word 2013 Step by Step today!
Add some text boxes to your document, and you might be surprised if they don't appear when you print the document. If ...
Discover MoreWant to change how a text box is oriented on the page? You can't do it, but you can adjust the dimensions of the box ...
Discover MoreDo you find yourself frequently creating text boxes and callouts? This tip describes how to change the default settings ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2017-09-12 15:09:54
Benjamin C. Morin
I use the table feature to create my columns within a Word TextBox. I then format the table separately from the textbox. I remove borders, if needed, shade, etc. My the way, I am also able to sort the table if needed. I use Word 2010.
Just a though.
Benjamin
2016-05-21 11:51:04
Roderick Ramage
This does not work in Office 2013. Right click produces the usual menu (cut, copy etc. There is no context menu and therefore no text box link. I do not particularly want text boxes, but hoped that they might solve my problem.
An alphabetical list in the in two columns section of a Word (~.htm) document displays two columns perfectly when viewed in Word but shows only one column when opened in a browser. These pages are intended for a website.
It would be easy to use a table but a chore to insert a new item in its alphabetical place.
Can, please, columns be made to work in a browser?
2016-02-16 19:44:59
Amy
How do you do this in Word for MAC 2016
2015-04-17 09:30:13
Maryland, USA
If you carefully place the two textboxes together, is it possible to tweak their outlines so they look like a single shaded box?
2015-04-16 05:07:49
Daniel
Thank you Allen,
The trick for 2007, worked perfectly well.
2014-08-26 12:47:32
awyatt
Alex: Yes, you can. Just follow the same steps you used to link the two you have. Full details:
http://wordribbon.tips.net/T011668
-Allen
2014-08-26 12:33:35
Alex
Using Word 2010 I can link two text boxes (whew! what a chore). I need to link 4 boxes to create a 4 column spread. Possible?
2013-09-25 06:48:59
Surendera M. Bhanot
In Word2010 no "Create Text Box Link' shows up in the Context menu when one Right-clicks on the left text box (the one that will form the "left column" of your multi-column layout}.
The solution to this is to click and highlight the left most Text Box. The 'Drawing Tool' appears. In the 'Text' tab of the Drawing Tool bar click 'Create Link'. Rest is the same as in Tip above. When you move the mouse pointer to the right text box (the one that will form the "right column" of your multi-column layout) it changes to a pouring cup, signifying that text could overflow into that column. Click in the right column. The mouse pointer returns to normal.
2013-09-24 12:06:25
Deb Fournier
I have 2010. The link tool is under Drawing Tools, Format, Create Link. I just did it, it's pretty cool. I don't know how I'll use it, but it's nice to know.
2013-09-20 22:36:10
Tony
Thanks for re-directing me. Strange that a 2007 feature would be made more difficult in 2010 and 2013.
2013-09-20 19:47:17
awyatt
Tony,
See one of the links that Bryan provided:
http://wordribbon.tips.net/T007070
-Allen
2013-09-20 17:13:57
Tony
I'm not using an earlier version. What happens with later versions? I can't get it to work on Word 2010. There's no Create Text Box Link in my Context menu.
2013-09-18 07:31:27
Bryan
See also:
* http://wordribbon.tips.net/T007070_Columns_in_a_Text_Box.html
* http://wordribbon.tips.net/T011668_Linking_Text_Boxes.html
Got a version of Word that uses the ribbon interface (Word 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the menu interface.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2024 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here: 
Comments