WPS Split Columns helps you format selected text into multiple columns in Writer; this guide covers 3 core tasks, with 3 available without membership and 0 membership-related items.
At a Glance
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Core tasks | 3 | Matches the number of rows in the How-to Index |
| Available without membership | 3 | Matches the number of Free rows in the index |
| Membership-related items | 0 | Matches the number of membership-related rows in the index |
About This Feature
Overview
Split Columns is a page layout feature in WPS Writer on Windows. It lets you display selected body text in two or more columns, which is useful for newsletters, notices, handouts, and other formatted documents.
Core capabilities include:
- Apply preset columns: quickly format selected text with common column layouts.
- Customize columns: set the number of columns, with support for up to 11 columns.
- Adjust width and separator lines: choose equal column width settings and add a line between columns.
This feature is useful for internal bulletins, promotional pages, teaching materials, and other layout-focused documents. It helps make long text blocks more compact and easier to scan on a page.
System Requirements
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Operating system | A Windows device that can run WPS Office normally |
| App version | It is recommended to use the latest version of WPS Office |
| Network | Split Columns is a local layout feature and does not require a network connection for basic use |
| Other | You need to open or create a WPS Writer document and have permission to edit it |
Download & Installation
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Official download | WPS Office Free Download |
| Check after installation | Open WPS Office → open WPS Writer → confirm that the Columns entry is available on the Page tab |
Source: WPS Download Center
Compare with Alternatives
| Dimension | WPS | Microsoft | Notion | Adobe | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capability Summary | WPS Writer lets you apply preset columns to selected text and use More Columns to set column count, equal width, and separator lines. The source feature guide states support for up to 11 columns. | Word lets you apply columns to a whole document or selected paragraphs, use More Columns to adjust width and spacing, and insert column breaks for layout control. | Google Docs lets you place text into columns, change formatting through More options, and insert a column break. Google notes that this works only in documents using pages format. | Notion supports drag-and-drop page columns and lets you resize or remove them. Its column feature is designed for side-by-side content blocks rather than traditional document page layout columns. | Adobe Acrobat focuses on editing PDF text, formatting, and text boxes. The cited Acrobat help page does not describe a traditional body-text column layout feature for document pages. |
| WPS Advantages | Advantage: WPS provides a direct Page-tab entry for both preset and custom column layout in Writer. Distinct: it combines column count, equal-width control, and separator line settings in one workflow for common document layout tasks. | Compared with WPS: Word also offers full document column layout, width adjustment, and column break controls for desktop document formatting. | Compared with WPS: Google Docs supports basic columns and column breaks, but Google states the feature is unavailable in pageless documents. | Compared with WPS: Notion columns are better suited to arranging blocks on a page and do not focus on page-layout controls such as equal column width or separator lines. | Compared with WPS: Acrobat is centered on PDF editing workflows rather than body-text column layout for writer-style documents. |
| Official Source | — | Create multiple columns in Word | Add or delete columns in a document | Format your page | Edit text in PDFs |
Overall Conclusion: If your main goal is page layout for text documents on Windows, WPS Split Columns offers a direct and practical workflow inside WPS Writer. Microsoft Word also provides strong column controls for traditional document formatting, while Google Docs, Notion, and Adobe each fit different content and platform scenarios.
Use Cases
| No. | Scenario | Suitable for | Main pain point | How it helps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newsletter-style layout | Editors and administrative staff | Single-column text can feel too long and dense | Use preset columns to create a two-column or multi-column layout quickly |
| 2 | Flyer or notice design | Marketing staff and teachers | Multiple pieces of information need to appear side by side on one page | Use custom columns to set the number of columns and apply range |
| 3 | Handout organization | Teachers and trainers | Page space is not used efficiently when content is long | Use equal-width columns for a cleaner layout |
| 4 | Partial layout adjustment | Document editors | Only part of the document should use columns | Select specific text first, then apply column settings |
| 5 | Clear separation between sections | Layout-focused users | Adjacent columns are not visually distinct enough | Add a separator line in custom column settings |
Membership & Benefits
Free vs WPS Premium
| Capability | Free users | WPS Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Split Columns use in Writer | ✅ Available | ✅ Available |
| Basic PDF features | ✅ Access to basic PDF features | ✅ Access to more PDF tools and related capabilities |
| Cloud storage | 1 GB cloud space | 20 GB cloud space on some listed plans |
| Template downloads | Limited template downloads | More templates and expanded benefits |
Source: WPS Office pricing page
Recommendations
| Usage scenario | Recommended plan | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday document layout and occasional column formatting | Free | The Split Columns feature itself is available for regular layout needs |
| Users who also need more PDF tools, templates, or cloud storage | WPS Premium | A better fit if you want broader document tools and added membership benefits |
How to Subscribe
- WPS membership page: Subscribe now
Source: WPS Office pricing page