Google Docs Columns Not Working (How to Fix It in 2025)

In this article, we will show you exactly how to fix it when Google Docs columns are not working in just a few simple steps. Read on to learn more.

Fix Column Problems in Google Docs

Here’s how to troubleshoot column issues in Google Docs:

1. Open the “File” Menu

Start by opening the “File” menu at the top of your screen. This menu provides access to essential document settings, including page setup, which can influence how columns appear in your document.

2. Access “Page setup” Options

In the “File” menu, select “Page setup”. This option opens a dialog box where you can adjust the layout, which may resolve column display issues in your document.

3. Apply Changes to the Entire Document

In the “Page setup” dialog box, make sure that “Pages” is selected. Selecting this ensures that layout changes apply across the whole document, helping columns display correctly throughout.

4. Save and Close “Page setup”

Click “OK” in the “Page setup” window to save your settings. This applies any layout adjustments and closes the dialog box, which might fix the column issue.

5. Verify Column Feature Availability in the “Format” Menu

Open the “Format” menu to confirm if the column feature is now accessible. This check will help ensure that any adjustments you made have activated the column feature for your document.

6. Select and Apply “Columns” Layout

Within the “Format” menu, hover over “Columns” to view layout options. Choose the layout you need, such as one, two, or three columns, to organize the document as desired.

We hope that you now have a better understanding of fixing the column layout issues in Google Docs. If you enjoyed this article, you might also like our articles on how to distribute columns evenly in Google Docs and how to calculate the sum of a column in Google Docs.