The Issue with Multicol and Vertical Spacing

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 115 views

Understanding Multicol and Vertical Spacing Issues in LaTeX

When working with LaTeX, especially when using the multicol package to create multiple columns, you may encounter issues with vertical spacing and alignment. 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 will explore the reasons behind this issue and provide a minimal working example to demonstrate the problem and its solution.

The Issue with Multicol and Vertical Spacing

The multicol package is a powerful tool for creating multiple columns in LaTeX. However, it can sometimes lead to issues with vertical spacing and alignment, especially when using certain font sizes or styles. One common problem is when the second column starts lower than the first, resulting in a larger gap between the two columns.

Why Does the Second Column Start Lower than the First?

There are several reasons why the second column may start lower than the first:

Font size and style: The font size and style used in the document can affect the vertical spacing between columns. For example, if you use a larger font size in the second column, it may start lower than the first column.
Line spacing: The line spacing between lines of text can also affect the vertical spacing between columns. If you use a larger line spacing in the second column, it may start lower than the first column.
Vertical spacing commands: LaTeX provides several vertical spacing commands, such as \vspace and \vskip, which can be used to add space between lines of text. However, these commands can sometimes lead to issues with vertical spacing and alignment.
Multicol package settings: The multicol package provides several settings that can affect the vertical spacing between columns. For example, the \columnsep command can be used to set the space between columns, while the \columnseprule command can be used to draw a rule between columns.

A Minimal Working Example

To demonstrate the issue with multicol and vertical spacing, let's create a minimal working example using the Xelatex compiler and the Aniron font.

\documentclass{scrbook}
\usepackage{fontspec}
\setmainfont{Aniron}
\usepackage{multicol}
\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.
\end{multicols}
\end{document}

Compiling the Example

To compile the example, you will need to download the Aniron font and install it on your system. You can then use the Xelatex compiler to compile the document.

xelatex example.tex

The Result

When you compile the example, you should see a document with two columns. However, you may notice that the second column starts lower than the first, resulting in a larger gap between the two columns.

Solving the Issue

To solve the issue with multicol and vertical spacing, you can try the following:

Use the same font size and style: Make sure that the font size and style used in the document are the same for both columns.
Use the same line spacing: Make sure that the line spacing between lines of text is the same for both columns.
Avoid using vertical spacing commands: Avoid using vertical spacing commands, such as \vspace and \vskip, which can sometimes lead to issues with vertical spacing and alignment.
Adjust the multicol package settings: Adjust the multicol package settings, such as the \columnsep and \columnseprule commands, to achieve the desired vertical spacing between columns.

In conclusion, the issue with multicol and vertical spacing in LaTeX can be caused by several factors, including font size and style, line spacing, vertical spacing commands, and multicol package settings. By understanding the reasons behind this issue and using the correct settings and commands, you can create documents with multiple columns that have proper vertical spacing and alignment.

Additional Tips and Tricks

Here are some additional tips and tricks for working with multicol and vertical spacing in LaTeX:

Use the \raggedcolumns command: The \raggedcolumns command can be used to make the columns ragged, which can help to avoid issues with vertical spacing and alignment.
Use the \columnseprule command: The \columnseprule command can be used to draw a rule between columns, which can help to create a clear visual separation between the columns.
Use the \columnsep command: The \columnsep command can be used to set the space between columns, which can help to achieve the desired vertical spacing between columns.
Use the \vspace command: The \vspace command can be used to add space between lines of text, which can help to create a clear visual separation between the columns.

In our previous article, we explored the issue of multicol and vertical spacing in LaTeX, including the reasons behind the problem and a minimal working example to demonstrate the issue. In this article, we will provide a Q&A guide to help you better understand and solve the issue of multicol and vertical spacing in LaTeX.

Q: What is the multicol package in LaTeX?

A: The multicol package is a powerful tool for creating multiple columns in LaTeX. It allows you to create documents with multiple columns, which can be useful for creating brochures, newsletters, and other types of documents.

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

A: The second column may start lower than the first due to several reasons, including font size and style, line spacing, vertical spacing commands, and multicol package settings.

Q: How can I solve the issue of multicol and vertical spacing?

A: To solve the issue of multicol and vertical spacing, you can try the following:

Use the same font size and style for both columns.
Use the same line spacing for both columns.
Avoid using vertical spacing commands, such as \vspace and \vskip.
Adjust the multicol package settings, such as the \columnsep and \columnseprule commands.

Q: What is the \raggedcolumns command?

A: The \raggedcolumns command is used to make the columns ragged, which can help to avoid issues with vertical spacing and alignment.

Q: What is the \columnseprule command?

A: The \columnseprule command is used to draw a rule between columns, which can help to create a clear visual separation between the columns.

Q: What is the \columnsep command?

A: The \columnsep command is used to set the space between columns, which can help to achieve the desired vertical spacing between columns.

Q: What is the \vspace command?

A: The \vspace command is used to add space between lines of text, which can help to create a clear visual separation between the columns.

Q: How can I create a document with multiple columns using the multicol package?

A: To create a document with multiple columns using the multicol package, you can use the following code:

\documentclass{scrbook}
\usepackage{fontspec}
\setmainfont{Aniron}
\usepackage{multicol}
\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.
\end{multicols}
\end{document}

Q: How can I adjust the multicol package settings?

A: To adjust the multicol package settings, you can use the following commands:

\columnsep: sets the space between columns.
\columnseprule: draws a rule between columns.
\raggedcolumns: makes the columns ragged.

Q: What are some common issues with multicol and vertical spacing?

A: Some common issues with multicol and vertical spacing include:

The second column starting lower than the first.
Inconsistent line spacing between columns.
Vertical spacing commands causing issues with alignment.

In conclusion, the issue of multicol and vertical spacing in LaTeX can be caused by several factors, including font size and style, line spacing, vertical spacing commands, and multicol package settings. By understanding the reasons behind this issue and using the correct settings and commands, you can create documents with multiple columns that have proper vertical spacing and alignment.

Additional Tips and Tricks

Here are some additional tips and tricks for working with multicol and vertical spacing in LaTeX:

Use the \raggedcolumns command to make the columns ragged.
Use the \columnseprule command to draw a rule between columns.
Use the \columnsep command to set the space between columns.
Use the \vspace command to add space between lines of text.

By following these tips and tricks, you can create documents with multiple columns that have proper vertical spacing and alignment.