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Department of Engineering |
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LaTeX and multi-column output
The odd package fails in a multi-column setting, but for the most part
there shouldn't be too many problems with multi-column output.
Two column output
Most classes take a [twocolumn] option (e.g. \documentclass[twocolumn]{article} is possible). The \onecolumn command
switches to single column output and the \twocolumn command switches
back, but both commands start a new page.
Putting page-wide items
into a two column document can pose problems
- Figures and tables - See the FAQ entry.
There are alternative versions of the float environments - in two-column documents, figure*
provides a floating page-wide figure (and table* a page-wide table).
The "*"ed float environments can only appear at the top of a page, or on a whole page - h or b float placement directives are simply ignored.
Unfortunately, page-wide equations can only be accommodated inside float environments. You could include them in figure environments, or use
the float or ccaption package to define a new float type.
- Titles and Abstracts -
See the FAQ.
In twocolumn mode, \newpage and \pagebreak start
a new column whereas \clearpage and \cleardoublepage always
start new pages.
In a twocolumn document, the ftnright package puts
footnotes only under the right columns.
Switching between different formats - multicol
The multicol package lets you change the number of columns in
mid-page and its effect can extend over several pages. The columns on the
final page are balanced (equal height) by default.
Here's an example of getting 3-column output.
\begin{multicols}{3}{
Put the text here. Maths, tabulars, pictures etc are all ok (but not
figures and tables). Remember to load in the \texttt{multicol}
package at the top of your document.
}
\end{multicols}
Figures present a problem in a multicol environment. See the
multicol hints page for details.
Balancing columns at the end of a document
See the
LaTeX FAQ.
Details
The gap between columns is controlled by \columnsep.
The width of the column rule is controlled by \columnseprule.
