Add Text Columns in PowerPoint [How To!] - Presentation Art (2023)

There are times when you want text to flow in a text box across multiple columns in PowerPoint. At first glance, it may seem a bit difficult to do this. However, there is an easy way to add columns of text in PowerPoint!

To add columns of text in PowerPoint, first select the text box. Then right click and click on the "Format Shape" option. Then click Text Options in the Format Shape panel. Then click "Columns" in the "Text Box" settings. Enter the number of columns you want and click OK.

In this article, we will go deeper into this topic and understand how we can add text columns in a text box in PowerPoint. Also, we will learn how to add and remove columns of text from the text box!

So let's get started!

1. How to add columns in text box in PowerPoint?

Microsoft PowerPoint has many text box features that are similar to other Microsoft programs. In PowerPoint, you can add columns to a text box to make it easier to understand and also for a better appearance.

This is what you need to do to add columns in a text box in PowerPoint:

Method 1: Use the Format Shape option.

There are actually two different ways to add columns to a text box in PowerPoint. The first method is to use the shape format options.

Step 1 – Select the text box and click “Format Shape”.

The first step is"the right button of the mouse"in the text field. Click the button on the dropdown menu"Format form..."Option to open the sidebar on the right side of the screen.

Step 2: Click on "Text Options"

In the next step, click on the"Text Options"NO"shape format"Side bar. EITHER"Text Options"It's the second option at the top of the sidebar.

Step 3: Select the "Text Box" option.

Now just click the button"text field"option which is the third icon below"Text Options".

Step 4: Click on the "Columns" button.

NO"text field"Options, click the button"columns"Button at the bottom of the sidebar (as shown in the image in step 3)

This will open a dialog in the middle of the screen.

Step 5: Enter the preferred number of columns

In the dialog box, click the button"Number"and enter the number of columns you want to add in the text box.

Alternatively, you can click the up arrow repeatedly"Number"Box to achieve the desired number of slides. then click"OK"button to save it.

Method 2: Use the "Home" tab.

Another way to add columns of text to a text box in PowerPoint is to useHome tab in PowerPoint. While this is a much faster method, the only problem is identifying the Add Columns icon on the Home tab.

However, see how to use this method to add the columns in a text box:

The first step is to select the text box where you want to add the columns.

Then click the button "lar"Ribbon. Then look for the Add Columns in a Text Box icon. It should be available in the "volume unit' on the start track (as shown in the image above).

Then click on the icon. You'll see a dropdown menu with a default option to add one, two, or three columns. Choose one based on your preferences.

You can also add more columns if needed by clicking the "More Columns" option and entering the exact number of columns in the popup that opens below.

How do I add 3 columns on a PowerPoint slide?

In Microsoft PowerPoint, the process of adding any number of columns to the text box is similar.

To add 3 columns on a slide, just open the"columns"dialog box and type"3"NO"Number"Possibility. then click"OK"button to create three columns.

2. How to split a column in PowerPoint?

Microsoft PowerPoint does not allow you to split a column within a text box. All columns are placed in a single text box.

However, you can also manually split the text in a text box into a column. To do this, you need to create several text boxes.

I would not recommend this method as it requires a lot of manual adjustment after adding the text. That being said, if you really must have a hard text limit, do the following:

Step 1: "Copy" the text box

You must first click on the text box to select it. So"the right button of the mouse"in the text box and click the button"Copy of"option from the drop down menu.

Alternatively, you can press the button„Force+C“Keyboard keys to copy text fields.

supervision– Check out my other article to learn more about it.Copy and paste in PowerPoint!

Step 2: Click on the “Paste” option.

Now click anywhere on the slide to deselect the text box."the right button of the mouse"again and select it"Use target theme"low"Insert"Possibility.

Alternatively, you can press the button"Ctrl+V"Keyboard keys to insert text fields.

Step 3 - Rearrange the text boxes

Now all you have to do is resize and rearrange the text boxes. This creates two identical columns. Now you can edit the texts in each text box.

3. How to increase the space between columns in PowerPoint?

In Microsoft PowerPoint there are some very simple editing features for columns of text. To increase the space between columns in PowerPoint, just follow 4 simple steps.

Step 1: Open the Format Shape menu.

to open the"shape format"must first menu"the right button of the mouse"in the text box, and then select the"Format form..."option from the drop down menu.

Step 2: Click on the “Text Box” option.

NO"shape format"The menu is on the right side of the screen, click on it"Textoción"Button. then click"text field"icon, which is the third icon below that"Textoción".

Step 3: Click on the "Columns" button.

NO"text field"option, click the button"Columns…"button at the bottom to open the"columns"dialog box.

Step 4: Click on the "Spacing" box.

click not"Distance"in the dialog box and enter your preferred slot number.

Alternatively, you can click the up or down arrows to increase or decrease the spacing. click that"OK"Button to save your preferred distance.

4. How to insert a column break in PowerPoint?

Microsoft PowerPoint does not have the feature to allow column breaks. However, you can manually create a column break within a text box.

To do this, you must first click in the text box where you want to insert the column break. So all you have to do is press the button repeatedly"Tap"on your keyboard until the column break is created.

5. How to add two bulleted columns in PowerPoint?

Microsoft PowerPoint has very limited options for text columns. So adding two bulleted columns in PowerPoint is the same as adding columns in the text box.

All you have to do is add the bookmarks first. If you are not sure how to do this, see my other articlehow to add bullet points in powerpoint.

But here is a shorter version of what you need to do. Select the text box and click the button"Answer"Toolbar icon located in the menu bar at the top of the screen.

Then follow the steps to add columns in the text box mentioned earlier in the article.

6. How to delete columns in PowerPoint?

In Microsoft PowerPoint, you can delete columns similar to adding columns from the text box. All you have to do is follow the 5 simple steps.

Step 1: Select the "Format Shape..." option.

The first step is to open the"shape format"Menu. To do this,"the right button of the mouse"in the text box to open a dropdown menu and select"Format form..."Possibility.

This opens the"shape format"Menu on the right side of the screen.

Step 2: Click on "Text Options"

NO"shape format"menu, click No"Text Options"button at the top of the sidebar. This opens a secondary menu with three icons.

Step 3: Click on the "Text Box" icon.

Now you must click on the button"text field"symbol, which is the third and last symbol below that"Text Options". then click"Columns…"The button is at the bottom of the"shape format"Side bar.

Step 4: Enter "1" in the "Number" field

NO"columns"button click dialog"Number"Box. Now all you have to do is write„1“.

Alternatively, you can click the down arrow repeatedly"Number", until the number of columns decreases to 1. Then click the button"OK"Delete Columns button.

appreciation fordrobotdean(at freepik) for this article's featured image (more edited)