Template:Multicol
Usage
[edit source]{{Multicol}} is used to start a multi-column section of a page. Between each block of column text insert {{Multicol-break}}, between each section (which will keep the same colum spacing) add {{Multicol-section}} and close the last column with {{Multicol-end}}. For example:
{{Multicol}}
This text appears in the first column.
{{Multicol-break}}
This text appears in the second column.
{{Multicol-break}}
This text appears in the third column.
{{Multicol-end}}
You can have any number of columns. Each column will be the same width, equally dividing the available horizontal space. Each column has a small right margin (20 pixels), creating a "gutter" that prevents text in one column from touching text in the column to its right. See franl's user page for examples of how this template can be used.
Parameters
[edit source]This template has four optional parameters
- Template:Parameter, Template:Parameter: The overall width of the set of columns (use auto to shrink to content)
- Template:Parameter: Alignment of the overall set of columns
- Template:Parameter: Interstitial line format.
- Template:Parameter, Template:Parameter: The width of the gutter
Overall width
[edit source]The overall width of the set of columns is set in {{multicol}} as the first parmeter. It can be an absolute value (e.g., 40em) or a percentage of the available page width (e.g., 50%). This parameter defaults to 100%. For example, to create a multi-column section that is only 50% the width of the page:
{{Multicol|50%}}
This text appears in the first column.
{{Multicol-break}}
This text appears in the second column.
{{Multicol-break}}
This text appears in the third column.
{{Multicol-section}}
This text appears in the next row, first column.
{{Multicol-break}}
This text appears in the next row, second column.
{{Multicol-end}}
Alignment
[edit source]The multi-column region is positioned on the left side of the containing block by default. To change this, adjust the "align" parameter in {{multicol}} to "center" or "right"
{{Multicol|50%|align=center}}
...
{{Multicol-end}}
Margins
[edit source]The margins can easily be changed by adjusting the second parameter in {{multicol}} or the first in {{multicol-break}}. You do not specify it in {{multicol-end}}. The margins occur on the left and right of the block, so you should specify half the actual separation you want.
{{Multicol||40px}}
This text appears in the first column.
{{Multicol-break|40px}}
This text appears in the second column.
{{Multicol-end}}
Line format
[edit source]The third parameter controls a line between the blocks. This parameter is named "line" and cannot be accessed using positional arguments. It must be specified in {{multicol}} and {{multicol-break}}. The line format is given in the CSS way, eg "1px solid black", "2px dashed red", etc.
{{Multicol|line=1px solid black}}
This text appears in the first column.
{{Multicol-break|line=1px solid black}}
This text appears in the second column.
{{Multicol-end}}
Other style
[edit source]the |style= parameter may be used to define other styles not covered above.
Technical notes
[edit source]This template uses a table to achieve the columns. Consider using a table if it is clearer in context than using this template.