Sectioning and Vertical Alignment

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 67 views

Understanding Multicol Layouts: Why the Second Column Starts Lower than the First

When working with multicol layouts in LaTeX, it's not uncommon to encounter issues with vertical alignment and spacing. One common problem is when the second column starts lower than the first, resulting in a larger gap between the two columns. In this article, we'll explore the reasons behind this phenomenon and provide a minimal working example to demonstrate the issue.

Consider the following minimal working example:

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

Compile this example using XeLaTeX, and you'll notice that the second column starts lower than the first, resulting in a larger gap between the two columns.

The reason behind this issue lies in the way LaTeX handles vertical spacing and alignment in multicol layouts. When LaTeX breaks a page into multiple columns, it needs to adjust the vertical spacing between the columns to ensure proper alignment. However, this adjustment can sometimes result in the second column starting lower than the first.

Sectioning and Vertical Alignment

One key factor contributing to this issue is the way LaTeX handles sectioning commands, such as \section. When LaTeX encounters a sectioning command, it inserts a vertical space before the section title. This vertical space is not always evenly distributed between the columns, leading to the second column starting lower than the first.

Multicol and Vertical Spacing

Another factor contributing to this issue is the way LaTeX handles vertical spacing in multicol layouts. When LaTeX breaks a page into multiple columns, it needs to adjust the vertical spacing between the columns to ensure proper alignment. However, this adjustment can sometimes result in the second column starting lower than the first.

To avoid this issue, you can use the following techniques:

Use \raggedcolumns: Adding the \raggedcolumns command before the multicols environment can help to reduce the vertical spacing between the columns.
Use \setlength{\columnsep}{0pt}: Setting the \columnsep length to 0pt can help to eliminate the vertical spacing between the columns.
Use \vspace{-\baselineskip}: Adding a negative vertical space before the section title can help to adjust the vertical alignment between the columns.

Here's an updated minimal working example that demonstrates these techniques:

\documentclass{scrbook}
\usepackage{fontspec}
\setmainfont{Aniron}
\usepackage{multicol}
\begin{document}
\begin{multicols}{2}
\raggedcolumns
\setlength{\columnsep}{0pt}
\section{First Section}
\vspace{-\baselineskip}
This is the first section.
\columnbreak
\section{Second Section}
This is the second section.
\end{multicols}
\end{document}

Compile this example using XeLaTeX, and you'll notice that the second column no longer starts lower than the first, and the vertical spacing between the columns is reduced.

In conclusion, the issue of the second column starting lower than the first in multicol layouts is a common problem that can be caused by a combination of factors, including sectioning commands and vertical spacing. By using techniques such as \raggedcolumns, \setlength{\columnsep}{0pt}, and \vspace{-\baselineskip}, you can help to reduce the vertical spacing between the columns and ensure proper alignment.
Multicol Layouts: Frequently Asked Questions

In our previous article, we explored the issue of the second column starting lower than the first in multicol layouts and provided a minimal working example to demonstrate the problem. In this article, we'll answer some frequently asked questions about multicol layouts and provide additional tips and techniques for working with these layouts.

Q: What is the difference between `multicol` and `twocolumn`?

A: The multicol package and the twocolumn document class are two different ways to create two-column layouts in LaTeX. The multicol package provides a more flexible and customizable way to create two-column layouts, while the twocolumn document class is a built-in way to create two-column layouts.

Q: How do I adjust the vertical spacing between columns?

A: You can adjust the vertical spacing between columns by using the \setlength{\columnsep}{length} command, where length is the desired spacing between columns. For example, \setlength{\columnsep}{0pt} will eliminate the vertical spacing between columns.

Q: How do I center the columns?

A: You can center the columns by using the \centering command before the multicols environment. For example:

\begin{multicols}{2}
\centering
\section{First Section}
This is the first section.
\columnbreak
\section{Second Section}
This is the second section.
\end{multicols}

Q: How do I use multiple columns with different widths?

A: You can use multiple columns with different widths by using the \columnwidth command to specify the width of each column. For example:

\begin{multicols}{3}
\columnwidth{0.33\textwidth}
\section{First Section}
This is the first section.
\columnbreak
\columnwidth{0.33\textwidth}
\section{Second Section}
This is the second section.
\columnbreak
\columnwidth{0.33\textwidth}
\section{Third Section}
This is the third section.
\end{multicols}

Q: How do I use multiple columns with different column breaks?

A: You can use multiple columns with different column breaks by using the \columnbreak command to specify the column break. For example:

\begin{multicols}{2}
\section{First Section}
This is the first section.
\columnbreak
\section{Second Section}
This is the second section.
\columnbreak
\section{Third Section}
This is the third section.
\end{multicols}

Q: How do I use multiple columns with different vertical spacing?

A: You can use multiple columns with different vertical spacing by using the \vspace command to specify the vertical spacing. For example:

\begin{multicols}{2}
\section{First Section}
\vspace{1cm}
This is the first section.
\columnbreak
\section{Second Section}
\vspace{2cm}
This is the second section.
\end{multicols}

In conclusion, multicol layouts can be a powerful tool for creating complex and visually appealing documents. By understanding the basics of multicol layouts and using the techniques and tips provided in this article, you can create stunning two-column layouts that will impress your readers.

For more information on multicol layouts, we recommend checking out the following resources:

The LaTeX manual: This is the official LaTeX manual, which provides a comprehensive guide to using LaTeX.
The multicol package documentation: This is the official documentation for the multicol package, which provides a detailed guide to using the package.
Online LaTeX communities: There are many online LaTeX communities, such as the LaTeX Stack Exchange and the LaTeX subreddit, where you can ask questions and get help from experienced LaTeX users.

We hope this article has been helpful in answering your questions about multicol layouts. If you have any further questions or need additional help, please don't hesitate to ask.