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Add a section with two manual columns

With a Two Columns (manual) section the page is divided into two columns across the page just like Two Columns Auto, but there is greater control over the placement of design items and exercise sets in the two columns.

With a math worksheet open, click the Sections down arrow in the Layout group on the ribbon and select Two Columns. A blank two columns manual section is added to the worksheet. Before adding exercise sets to the section you can customize the options available in the right-side options pane.

Before adding exercise sets or design items to this section, click in a column to make it active. An active column is indicated by blue arrows pointing at the column.

Tip

To customize a section that already contains exercise sets, click in a blank space near the section line on the far left-side of the worksheet page to make the section active. An active section is indicated by a solid dark blue line on the far left side of the page. The section options will appear in the right-side options pane.

Column spacing

Column Spacing controls the size of the spacing between the two columns. This is measured in 100ths of an inch, so a setting of 25 equals 1/4 inch and a setting of 40 equals 1 centimeter. Type a number between 0 and 100, or use the up and down arrows to adjust the spacing.

Column width percent

This option sets the width of the first column as a percentage of the page width less the column spacing. The second column is sized accordingly. The range is from 20% to 80%.

Restart numbering

If the worksheet uses Document question numbering (set via Numbering System in the Layout group on the ribbon), Restart Numbering resets the section's question numbers back to 1.

Begin on new page

Begin on New Page provides a way to move the section with all its questions and design items to a new page. This feature can be checked at any time; the section will be forced to the next page whether it is empty or already contains items.

Change the background color

  1. In the options panel, select Background Color.

  2. Click the ellipsis button that appears at the far right of the box (...) to open the color picker.

  3. Choose the color you like.

  4. Click OK to save your choice and apply the new color.

Adjust the padding

This option sets the padding (extra white space) around the item in 100ths of an inch (25 = 1/4 inch, 40 = 1cm).

  1. Select Padding in the options pane to display all of the sides that can be customized.

  2. Select a side (All, Left, Right, Top, Bottom) to change the value for that side.

  3. Type a new value in the input field, or use the up and down arrows to increase or decrease the value. Valid range: 0 to 100.

Tip

Set All to update the four sides to the same value. If All shows -1, one or more of the sides has a different value.

Add a border

To show a border around the section, click the Border option in the options panel. Click on Border Sides Visibility to display all of the sides that can be customized. Check All to check all of the sides (Left, Right, Top, Bottom). Uncheck All or an individual side to remove the border line.

Change the color

  1. In the options panel under Border, select Color.

  2. Click the ellipsis button that appears at the far right of the box (...) to open the color picker.

  3. Choose the color you like.

  4. Click OK to save your choice and apply the new color.

Change the line width

  1. Click Line Width in the options panel.

  2. Type a number between 0 and 10, or use the up and down arrows to adjust the width of the border line.

Round the corners

For a border with rounded corners, select the Rounded check box in the options pane. Select the box again to set the border back to square corners.