Inconsistent vertical spacing

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 147 views

Why Does the Second Column Start Lower than the First? Why is There a Larger Gap After It?

Understanding the Issue

When working with multicolumn layouts in LaTeX, it's not uncommon to encounter issues with vertical alignment and spacing. In this article, we'll explore a common problem where the second column starts lower than the first, resulting in a larger gap after it. We'll delve into the possible causes and provide a minimal working example to demonstrate the issue.

The Problem

Consider the following scenario: you're working on a document that requires a multicolumn layout, and you've set up two columns using the multicol package. However, when you compile the document, you notice that the second column starts lower than the first, creating an uneven gap between the two columns. This issue can be frustrating, especially when you're working on a document that requires precise layout and formatting.

Possible Causes

There are several possible causes for this issue:

Incorrect font settings: The font used in the document may be causing the issue. Some fonts may have a larger x-height or a different baseline, which can affect the vertical alignment of the text.
Inconsistent vertical spacing: The multicol package uses a default vertical spacing that may not be suitable for all documents. This can cause the second column to start lower than the first.
Incorrect column settings: The column settings, such as the column width or the number of columns, may be causing the issue.

Minimal Working Example

To demonstrate the issue, let's create a minimal working example using the scrbook document class and the multicol package. We'll use the Aniron font, which is a sans-serif font with a large x-height.

\documentclass{scrbook}
\usepackage{multicol}
\usepackage{fontspec}
\setmainfont{Aniron}
\begin{document}
\begin{multicols}{2}
\section{First Section}
This is the first section of the document.
\section{Second Section}
This is the second section of the document.
\section{Third Section}
This is the third section of the document.
\end{multicols}
\end{document}

Compiling the Document

To compile the document, you'll need to use Xelatex. You can do this by running the following command in your terminal:

xelatex minimal_example.tex

Analyzing the Output

After compiling the document, you'll notice that the second column starts lower than the first, creating a larger gap between the two columns. This is the issue we're trying to resolve.

Resolving the Issue

To resolve the issue, we need to adjust the font settings and the vertical spacing. We can do this by adding the following lines to the preamble:

\setmainfont{Aniron}
\setlength{\columnsep}{0pt}
\setlength{\columnseprule}{0pt}

The first line sets the main font to Aniron. The second line sets the column separation to 0pt, which removes the default vertical spacing between the columns. The third line sets the column separation rule to 0pt, which removes the default rule that separates the columns.

Updated Minimal Working Example

Here's the updated minimal working example:

\documentclass{scrbook}
\usepackage{multicol}
\usepackage{fontspec}
\setmainfont{Aniron}
\setlength{\columnsep}{0pt}
\setlength{\columnseprule}{0pt}
\begin{document}
\begin{multicols}{2}
\section{First Section}
This is the first section of the document.
\section{Second Section}
This is the second section of the document.
\section{Third Section}
This is the third section of the document.
\end{multicols}
\end{document}

Compiling the Updated Document

To compile the updated document, you'll need to run the following command in your terminal:

xelatex minimal_example.tex

Analyzing the Output

After compiling the updated document, you'll notice that the second column no longer starts lower than the first, and the gap between the two columns has been removed.

Conclusion

In this article, we've explored a common issue with multicolumn layouts in LaTeX, where the second column starts lower than the first, resulting in a larger gap after it. We've identified the possible causes of this issue and provided a minimal working example to demonstrate the problem. We've also updated the minimal working example to resolve the issue by adjusting the font settings and the vertical spacing. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to resolve this issue and create multicolumn layouts with precise vertical alignment and spacing.
Q&A: Resolving Issues with Multicolumn Layouts in LaTeX

Frequently Asked Questions

In our previous article, we explored a common issue with multicolumn layouts in LaTeX, where the second column starts lower than the first, resulting in a larger gap after it. We provided a minimal working example to demonstrate the problem and updated the example to resolve the issue. In this article, we'll answer some frequently asked questions related to this issue.

Q: Why does the second column start lower than the first?

A: The second column starts lower than the first due to the default vertical spacing used by the multicol package. This spacing is designed to provide a comfortable reading experience, but it can cause issues with multicolumn layouts.

Q: How can I adjust the vertical spacing in LaTeX?

A: You can adjust the vertical spacing in LaTeX by using the \setlength command. For example, to set the column separation to 0pt, you can use the following code:

\setlength{\columnsep}{0pt}

Q: What is the difference between \columnsep and \columnseprule?

A: \columnsep refers to the vertical spacing between columns, while \columnseprule refers to the rule that separates the columns. By setting both values to 0pt, you can remove the default vertical spacing and rule.

Q: How can I use a custom font in LaTeX?

A: You can use a custom font in LaTeX by loading the font using the fontspec package. For example, to use the Aniron font, you can use the following code:

\setmainfont{Aniron}

Q: Why is the Aniron font causing issues with my multicolumn layout?

A: The Aniron font has a large x-height, which can cause issues with vertical alignment in multicolumn layouts. You can try using a different font to see if the issue persists.

Q: How can I troubleshoot issues with my multicolumn layout?

A: To troubleshoot issues with your multicolumn layout, try the following:

Check the font settings and adjust them as needed.
Check the vertical spacing and adjust it as needed.
Use the \setlength command to set the column separation and rule to 0pt.
Try using a different font to see if the issue persists.

Q: Can I use the multicol package with other document classes?

A: Yes, you can use the multicol package with other document classes. However, you may need to adjust the font settings and vertical spacing to achieve the desired layout.

Q: How can I create a multicolumn layout with precise vertical alignment and spacing?

A: To create a multicolumn layout with precise vertical alignment and spacing, follow these steps:

Use the multicol package to create the multicolumn layout.
Adjust the font settings and vertical spacing as needed.
Use the \setlength command to set the column separation and rule to 0pt.
Try using a different font to see if the issue persists.

Conclusion

In this article, we've answered some frequently asked questions related to issues with multicolumn layouts in LaTeX. We've provided tips and tricks for troubleshooting and resolving issues with vertical alignment and spacing. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to create multicolumn layouts with precise vertical alignment and spacing.