How to Split Text into Columns on Websites

Learn how to use Helperbird's split text into columns on websites. Complete guide for improving web accessibility and reading support.

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What are Paragraph Columns?

Paragraph Columns splits the text on a webpage into multiple columns, similar to how newspapers and magazines organize content. Instead of one wide block of text, you get narrower columns that are easier to read.

This helps your eyes track from line to line without getting lost.


Who is This For?

This feature is helpful for:

  • People who find wide text blocks hard to read
  • Anyone who loses their place on long lines
  • Students reading long articles
  • People with dyslexia who benefit from shorter line lengths
  • Anyone who prefers a newspaper-style layout

Step 1: Open Helperbird

Click the Helperbird icon in your browser toolbar. It looks like a small owl and is usually in the top-right corner of your browser.

This will open the Helperbird menu.


Step 2: Open the All Features Section

Scroll down to the bottom of the Helperbird menu. You will see a section called All Features.

Click the arrow next to All Features to expand it and show all available features.


Step 3: Find Text Settings

Look through the list of features until you see Text settings.

Click on Text settings to open it.

A panel will appear with several tabs at the top.


Step 4: Open the Border Tab

At the top of the Text settings panel, you will see tabs like Text, Colors, and Border.

Click on the Border tab.


Step 5: Turn on Columns

In the Border tab, find Columns with a toggle switch next to it.

Click the toggle to turn it on. The toggle will turn green when it is enabled.


Step 6: Adjust the Number of Columns

After turning on Columns, a slider will appear.

Move the slider left or right to choose how many columns you want. Sliding right adds more columns, sliding left reduces them.

Tip: Two or three columns work great for wide screens. One column is better for smaller screens or focused reading.


Video Tutorial


Need Additional Help?

If you have any questions or run into any issues, please contact the Helperbird support team. You can reach us at Helperbird support. We are happy to help you get the most out of Helperbird.

What People Are Saying

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This tool helps so many of our students at school - not only those students who have dyslexia, but students and adults who have other learning differences (and those who don't!). It helps ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed in their learning!

Kim Norris

Kim Norris

Helperbird user

Where to start! Firstly, I'd like to thank Robert (the developer) for his generosity - the app is extremely cheap as apps go. It is very apparent that this app is a labour of love - Robert is constantly working on it and improving things, adding new features, etc. As someone with ADHD and ASD, I have always had to piece-meal together the features I need to help me study effectively - half a dozen different apps / extensions, and even then they don't quite meet my expectations. Helperbird, however, offers SO MUCH more, and all in one place - you can finetune your experience to your heart's desire. The features I particularly love are summarise, simplify, sticky notes, highlighting, and the amazing immersive reader with TTS. I can't sing Helperbird's praises enough. Thank you, Robert, for such a thoughtful - and genuinely helpful - app. You are empowering the neurodivergent everywhere.

Firefox user

Firefox user

Helperbird user

omg i can actually read now

Spin F.

Spin F.

Helperbird user

Simplemente increíble. Nunca he tenido una extensión con tantísimas opciones juntas. Como profesor, siempre la recomiendo a las familias de estudiantes con dificultades para mantener la atención, a la hora de leer, y otras necesidades específicas, aunque pienso que puede ser de uso para cualquiera. ¡Un 10!

Firefox user

Firefox user

Profesor / Teacher

It works Amazing!

A Google User

A Google User

Helperbird user

I have been trying to find ways to make my child happy to go to school again, and someone recommended helperbird. She loves helperbird, and she is now much happier about the idea of returning to school. I think this might be a game changer, as they do so much web based schoolwork and research. She says they really understand people with dyslexia

Cris Townley

Cris Townley

Parent

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