Why don't I have the "columns" option for Textbox formatting? Please see screenshot.

Question

I searched how to insert columns into a textbox followed the steps and I do not have the option to create columns.

I have the 2210 (Build15726.20202) version of MS Word (O365 for business).

Is it perhaps the version that does not support the option, is there something else that I can do/enable to "get" the option?

Answer 1

Text boxes in Word do not support multiple columns.

You can create the illusion of two columns by inserting two text boxes side by side and link them.

However, it would be easier to insert a couple of section breaks in the main body of the document and format the section in between the breaks as two columns, using the Columns dialog box (Layout tab > Columns > More Columns).

Answer 2

Hi Suzanne,

Thanks for the reply, given that i do not know much about how the functionality of the "help" feature that is found in all MS office apps, I cannot say you are right or wrong.

I can say, I use PPT regularly and column option is on the home ribbon by default.

And lastly, the screenshot I submitted was taken from the help tab's search results in MSWord document I was working on.

Answer 3

The Help topic you display applies to PowerPoint (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/create-columns-of-text-in-a-text-box-or-shape-848a86fd-dc46-4b16-a619-2ad0fcb465ba ). The Text Options dialog for text boxes in Word (as you have found) does not contain any such options.

Answer 4

Otherwise, you could insert a table into a Text Box. Tables need not have borders.

Answer 5

Thanks, i was hoping to avoid having to do that.