# Multiple Columns To make an *entire* document render in two columns, just pass the `twocolumn` parameter to the document class: ``` \documentclass[twocolumn]{article} ``` To achieve finer control over multiple columns, use the `multicol` package. (Extended documentation is [here](https://ctan.org/pkg/multicol?lang=en).) Just add the following to the document's preamble: ``` \usepackage{multicol} ``` The basic use is: ``` \begin{multicols}{3} Lorem ipsum \end{multicols} ``` To include a section which is *not* multiple columns, enclose that text in square brackets: ``` \begin{multicols}{3} [ This line will not be in multiple columns ] This line and all remaining text will be in three columns. \end{multicols} ``` ## Column Separation The distance between the columns is controlled by `\columnsep` in the `\setlength` parameter in the document's preamble: ``` \setlength{\columnsep}{0.5in} ``` ## Unbalanced Columns By default, the `multicol` package will do its best to balance all the columns. If you want *unbalanced* columns, then use `multicols*` instead: ``` \begin{multicols*}{3} This text will have unbalanced columns. Lorem ipsum. \end{multicols} ``` ## Column Rules To insert a vertical line between columns, pass `\columnseprule` to the `\setlength` parameter in the document's preamble: ``` \setlength{columnseprule}{1pt} \def\columnseprulecolr{\color{blue}} ``` In order to add colors, be sure to use the `color` package by adding the following to the document's preamble: ``` \usepackage{color} ```