How to Make Columns in Google Slides (2, 3 or More)

Google Slides doesn’t have a “columns” button like Google Docs does, which is why so many people get stuck splitting a list into two neat columns. There are three good ways to do it: a built-in two-column layout, side-by-side text boxes, or a table. Here’s how to make two (or more) columns in Google Slides, and which method to use when.

Short answer: the fastest way is a layout: click Slide → Apply layout → Title and two columns. You get two text boxes side by side, ready to type in. For three or more columns, copy a text box (Ctrl + C, Ctrl + V) and line the boxes up with Arrange → Distribute → Horizontally. For data in rows and columns, use Insert → Table.

Applies to: Google Slides on the web (Windows, Mac and Chromebook), October 2026. The phone apps can edit columns made this way, but layouts and arranging are easier on a computer.

Which method should you use?

Method	Best for	Columns
Title and two columns layout	Comparing two lists, pros and cons	2
Side-by-side text boxes	Three or four short lists, full control over width	2 or more
Table	Data, schedules, anything that must line up row by row	Up to 20

Method 1: Use the “Title and two columns” layout

1. Select the slide (or click Slide → New slide).
2. Click Slide → Apply layout (or the Layout button in the toolbar).
3. Choose Title and two columns.
4. Type in the left box, then the right box.

The two boxes match your theme’s fonts and spacing, so it’s the cleanest option for simple two-column slides.

Method 2: Make columns with text boxes

1. Start with a slide that has one text box, or click Insert → Text box and draw one.
2. Make it narrower by dragging a side handle.
3. With the box selected, press Ctrl + C then Ctrl + V (⌘ + C, ⌘ + V on Mac) to make a copy. Repeat for each extra column.
4. Drag the boxes into a row.
5. Select them all (hold Shift and click each), then click Arrange → Align → Top, and Arrange → Distribute → Horizontally so the gaps are equal.
6. Replace the text in each box.

Tip: select all the boxes and press Ctrl + Alt + G (⌘ + Option + G on Mac) to group them, so they move together.

Method 3: Use a table for columns

1. Click Insert → Table and drag across the grid to pick the number of columns and rows.
2. Type into the cells. Text wraps inside each cell.
3. To hide the grid lines so it looks like plain columns, select the table, click the border button in the toolbar and set the border width to 0 pt or the color to transparent.

Right-click the table to add or delete columns and rows.

Split an existing list into two columns

If you already have a long bullet list in one box:

1. Apply the Title and two columns layout (Method 1), or add a second text box.
2. Select the bottom half of the list and press Ctrl + X to cut it.
3. Click in the second box and press Ctrl + V to paste.

The bullet style comes along with the text.

Columns look uneven? Fixes

• Different widths: select a box and set the exact width in Format options → Size & rotation, then copy that width to the others.
• Text starts at different heights: select the boxes → Arrange → Align → Top.
• Text spills over: right-click → Text fitting → Shrink text on overflow. More in how to wrap text in Google Slides.

Related guides

• How to wrap text in Google Slides
• How to print speaker notes in Google Slides
• How to undo strikethrough in Google Docs

The short version

For two columns, use Slide → Apply layout → Title and two columns. For three or more, copy a text box, line the copies up and use Arrange → Distribute → Horizontally. For data, use Insert → Table and hide the borders if you want plain columns.

Sources

• Spreadsheet Point: How to make columns in Google Slides
• Google Docs Editors Help: Change how text fits in text placeholders and text boxes
• SlidesAI: How to make columns in Google Slides