Formatting Issues

How to Add Three Columns to One Section of a Word Brochure

Muhammad Talha Sep 30, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to apply a three-column layout to only a specific part of a Word brochure without altering the formatting of the rest of the document.

How to Add Three Columns to a Specific Section in a Word Brochure

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Designing a customized brochure where multi-column formatting is needed in a localized area, such as a specific paragraph or inside a text box.
Observed behavior: By default, Word applies column settings to the entire document or section, which breaks the brochure layout unless isolated correctly.

Before you start

Ensure your document's page orientation and margins are properly set up for your overall brochure design before adjusting localized column formatting.

Solution 1Recommended

Apply Columns to Selected Text Using Section Breaks

This is the standard and most efficient method for applying columns to a specific text block without affecting the overall document layout.

In Word, column layouts are a section-level property. To apply columns to just one area, you must isolate that text using section breaks. Fortunately, Word can handle this automatically if you use the 'Apply to selected text' option.

Select the text

Highlight the specific paragraphs you want to divide into three columns.

Open Column Settings

Navigate to the 'Layout' tab on the ribbon, click on 'Columns', and select 'More Columns' at the bottom of the dropdown menu.

Configure and Apply

Choose 'Three' under Presets. At the bottom of the dialog box, ensure the 'Apply to' dropdown is set to 'Selected text', then click 'OK'.

Apply Columns to Selected Text Using Section Breaks

Automatic Section Breaks: Word will automatically insert continuous section breaks before and after your selected text, keeping your other content in a single column.

Solution 2

Insert a Three-Column Borderless Table

Ideal for precise manual brochure layouts, especially when working inside text boxes that do not natively support column formatting.

Professional Document Layout

Create Stunning Brochures with WPS Writer

WPS Writer offers powerful, intuitive page layout tools, allowing you to seamlessly design professional brochures with flexible column formatting, section breaks, and borderless tables.

1. Open your brochure: Launch WPS Writer and open your brochure document.
2. Select your target text: Highlight the specific text you wish to format into a three-column layout.
3. Access Page Layout: Click the 'Page Layout' tab located on the top ribbon.
4. Open Column Settings: Click the 'Columns' button and select 'More Columns' from the dropdown list.
5. Apply three columns: Select '3', make sure 'Apply to' is set to 'Selected text', and click 'OK'.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formats, ensuring your brochures look perfect on any device.Rich selection of free, high-quality brochure templates available in the WPS Template library.Intuitive page layout controls for effortlessly inserting multi-column sections.Lightweight software that runs smoothly across Windows, Mac, and Linux platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I add columns inside a text box in Word?

Standard text boxes in Word do not support the native page column layout feature. To create columns inside a text box, you must use the alternative method of inserting a borderless table with multiple columns.

Will applying columns to selected text mess up the rest of my document?

No. When you set the column settings to 'Apply to: Selected text' via Layout > Columns > More Columns, the software automatically inserts continuous section breaks before and after your selection, safeguarding the rest of your layout.

How do I make the text flow automatically from one column to the next?

If you use the native 'Layout > Columns' feature, text will naturally flow from the bottom of the first column to the top of the next as you type. If you choose the borderless table method, text remains locked within its specific cell.

How do I remove the columns if I change my mind?

Click anywhere inside your multi-column text, navigate to Layout > Columns, and select 'One'. If there are residual formatting issues, you can turn on paragraph marks (Home > Show/Hide) and manually delete the continuous section breaks.

Document & File Issues