Create Columns & Dividers

Learn how to create multi-column layouts and add visual dividers in Notion to enhance content organization, improve readability, and create professional-looking pages. This guide covers both basic column creation and advanced layout techniques.

When to Use Columns and Dividers

Columns and dividers serve multiple purposes in organizing your Notion content:

• Create visual hierarchy by organizing related content side-by-side
• Maximize screen real estate for better content presentation
• Create comparison layouts for pros and cons, before and after scenarios
• Add visual separation between different content sections
• Build dashboard-style layouts with multiple information blocks

How Columns Work in Notion

Notion uses a drag-and-drop system for creating columns. When you drag one block to the right or left edge of another block, Notion automatically creates a column layout. Columns are responsive and will adjust to different screen sizes, stacking vertically on smaller screens.

Creating Your First Column Layout

1

Begin by creating the content blocks you want to arrange in columns. In this example, we're working with a page about text colors and backgrounds, which includes headings and explanatory content.

2

Click on the content area where you want to create your column layout. This activates the editing mode and allows you to manipulate content blocks.

3

Make any necessary edits to your content. You can add headings, bullet points, or other formatting elements that will work well in a column layout. Notice how the content is being restructured to include clear sections like "When to Use Text Colors and Backgrounds".

4

Click on the content block you want to move into a column position. This could be a paragraph, heading, list, or any other content type. The block will become selected and ready for dragging.

5

Continue developing your content with clear, organized sections. This step shows the refinement of the content structure, with the "When to Use Text Colors and Backgrounds" section being clearly defined and ready for column formatting.

6

Click on the Divider option to add a horizontal line that visually separates your content sections. Dividers are essential for creating clear boundaries between different parts of your layout.

Creating Columns with Drag and Drop

The most intuitive way to create columns is through Notion's drag-and-drop functionality:

1. Hover over the content block you want to move and click the six-dot drag handle that appears on the left
2. Drag the block to the right or left edge of another block
3. Look for the blue vertical line that indicates where the column will be created
4. Release the mouse button to create the column

Working with Dividers

Dividers are horizontal lines that help organize your content visually. They're particularly useful in column layouts to separate different sections clearly.

Adding Dividers

• Type /divider and select the Divider block
• Use the / menu and search for "divider"
• Click directly on the divider option when it appears in your block menu

Advanced Column Techniques

Creating Multiple Columns

You can create up to 5 columns in a single row by continuing to drag additional blocks to the edges of existing columns. Each new block will create another column division.

Nested Columns

For complex layouts, you can create nested columns by using toggle blocks or callout blocks as containers, then creating columns within those containers.

Responsive Behavior

Notion columns automatically adjust for different screen sizes:

• Desktop and tablet: Columns display side-by-side
• Mobile devices: Columns stack vertically for better readability

Best Practices

• Keep column content balanced - avoid having one column significantly longer than others
• Use dividers strategically - too many can clutter your page
• Consider mobile users - remember that columns will stack on small screens
• Test your layout at different screen sizes to ensure readability
• Use consistent spacing between elements within columns

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Examples of Effective Column Layouts

Here are some common use cases where columns and dividers work particularly well:

• Project dashboards with status, timeline, and notes columns
• Comparison charts showing pros and cons or different options
• Team member profiles with photos and information side-by-side
• Documentation pages with examples and explanations in parallel
• Resource libraries organized by category or type

Next Steps

Now that you understand how to create columns and dividers, you can significantly improve your page layouts and content organization. Start with simple two-column layouts and gradually experiment with more complex arrangements as you become comfortable with the drag-and-drop mechanics.

Practice creating columns with different types of content blocks to see how they interact and find the combinations that work best for your specific use cases.