column-span : Column Span Property
The column-span property specifies whether an element should span across all columns in a multi-column layout. This is essential for creating headlines, section dividers, images, and other elements that need to break out of the column flow and span the full width of the container in newsletters, magazines, and professional documents.
Usage
selector {
column-span: value;
}
The column-span property controls whether an element spans across all columns or stays within a single column in multi-column layouts.
Supported Values
none (default)
The element does not span columns and appears within the normal column flow. This is the default behavior for all elements in multi-column layouts.
all
The element spans across all columns, breaking the column flow. Content before the spanning element fills available columns, then the spanning element appears full-width, then content after it continues in the column flow.
Supported Elements
The column-span property can be applied to:
- Headings (
<h1>,<h2>,<h3>, etc.) - Images (
<img>) - Section dividers and horizontal rules
- Block quotes and callouts
- Tables and figures
- Any block-level element within multi-column container
- Elements that need to break out of column flow
Notes
- Column-span only works within multi-column containers
- Only two values are supported:
noneandall - Cannot span a specific number of columns (only all or none)
- Spanning elements create natural break points in column flow
- Content flows to fill columns before spanning element
- After spanning element, content continues in balanced columns
- Particularly useful for headings that introduce new sections
- Images and figures often span columns for emphasis
- Tables frequently span all columns for better readability
- Breaking column flow creates visual hierarchy and organization
- In PDF generation, spanning elements help structure complex documents
- Use sparingly to maintain column layout benefits
- Too many spanning elements can fragment reading experience
Data Binding
The column-span property works with data binding to conditionally create full-width elements based on content importance, document structure, and layout preferences. This enables dynamic document structures with adaptive spanning elements.
Example 1: Conditional spanning based on content importance
<style>
.article {
column-count: 2;
column-gap: 25pt;
padding: 30pt;
text-align: justify;
line-height: 1.7;
}
.section-title {
font-size: 20pt;
font-weight: bold;
color: #1e3a8a;
margin: 25pt 0 15pt 0;
padding-bottom: 10pt;
border-bottom: 2pt solid #e5e7eb;
}
.highlight-box {
background-color: #fef3c7;
border: 3pt solid #f59e0b;
padding: 20pt;
margin: 20pt 0;
}
</style>
<body>
<div class="article">
<h1 style="column-span: ; font-size: 32pt; color: #1e3a8a; margin-bottom: 20pt;">
</h1>
<p></p>
<!-- Conditionally span important callouts -->
<div class="highlight-box"
style="column-span: ">
<strong></strong>
<p></p>
</div>
<!-- Section headers span based on level -->
<h2 class="section-title"
style="column-span: ">
</h2>
<p></p>
</div>
</body>
Example 2: Dynamic spanning for images and tables
<style>
.document {
column-count: 3;
column-gap: 20pt;
padding: 35pt;
font-size: 10pt;
line-height: 1.6;
}
.image-container {
margin: 20pt 0;
text-align: center;
}
.image-caption {
text-align: center;
font-size: 9pt;
color: #6b7280;
font-style: italic;
margin-top: 8pt;
}
.data-table {
width: 100%;
border-collapse: collapse;
margin: 20pt 0;
font-size: 9pt;
}
.data-table th {
background-color: #1f2937;
color: white;
padding: 8pt;
border: 1pt solid #374151;
}
.data-table td {
padding: 6pt;
border: 1pt solid #d1d5db;
}
</style>
<body>
<div class="document">
<h1 style="column-span: all; font-size: 28pt; color: #1e3a8a; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20pt;">
</h1>
<p></p>
<!-- Images span all columns if marked as important -->
<div class="image-container"
style="column-span: ">
<img src="" style="max-width: 100%; height: auto;" />
<div class="image-caption"></div>
</div>
<!-- Tables span based on column count -->
<table class="data-table"
style="column-span: ">
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</body>
Example 3: Configurable spanning for newsletters
<style>
.newsletter {
padding: 40pt;
}
.newsletter-header {
text-align: center;
background-color: #1e3a8a;
color: white;
padding: 30pt;
margin-bottom: 30pt;
}
.newsletter-content {
font-size: 10pt;
line-height: 1.6;
text-align: justify;
}
.announcement-box {
background-color: #dbeafe;
border: 3pt solid #2563eb;
padding: 20pt;
margin: 20pt 0;
text-align: center;
}
.section-divider {
height: 20pt;
margin: 25pt 0;
background: linear-gradient(to right, #2563eb 0%, #dbeafe 50%, #2563eb 100%);
}
</style>
<body>
<div class="newsletter">
<div class="newsletter-header" style="column-span: all;">
<h1 style="font-size: 40pt; margin: 0 0 10pt 0;"></h1>
<div></div>
</div>
<div class="newsletter-content"
style="column-count: ;
column-gap: pt;">
<!-- Featured announcements span all columns -->
<div class="announcement-box"
style="column-span: ">
<h3 style="margin: 0 0 10pt 0; font-size: 18pt; color: #1e40af;">
</h3>
<p style="margin: 0;"></p>
</div>
<!-- Articles with optional spanning -->
<div style="break-inside: avoid; margin-bottom: 18pt;">
<h3 style="column-span: ;
color: #1e3a8a;
font-size: 14pt;
margin: 0 0 10pt 0;">
</h3>
<p></p>
</div>
<!-- Section dividers based on configuration -->
<div class="section-divider" style="column-span: all;"></div>
</div>
</div>
</body>
Examples
Example 1: Headlines spanning columns
<style>
.article {
column-count: 2;
column-gap: 25pt;
padding: 30pt;
text-align: justify;
line-height: 1.7;
}
.article h1 {
column-span: all;
font-size: 32pt;
font-weight: bold;
color: #1e3a8a;
margin: 0 0 20pt 0;
text-align: center;
}
.article h2 {
column-span: all;
font-size: 20pt;
font-weight: bold;
color: #1e3a8a;
margin: 25pt 0 15pt 0;
padding-bottom: 10pt;
border-bottom: 2pt solid #e5e7eb;
}
.article p {
margin: 0 0 12pt 0;
}
</style>
<body>
<div class="article">
<h1>Document Layout Fundamentals</h1>
<p>Multi-column layouts provide excellent readability by constraining
line length while efficiently using page space. The column-span property
adds flexibility by allowing key elements to break out of columns.</p>
<h2>Using Column Span Effectively</h2>
<p>Headlines and section titles often benefit from spanning all columns.
This creates clear visual hierarchy and helps readers navigate long
documents. The spanning element acts as an organizational landmark.</p>
<p>Notice how the main headline and section headings span the full width,
while body text flows in two columns. This combination provides both
structure and readability.</p>
<h2>Best Practices</h2>
<p>Use column-span strategically for elements that truly need emphasis
or that organize content into logical sections. Overuse can fragment
the reading experience and diminish the benefits of columnar layout.</p>
</div>
</body>
Example 2: Magazine article with spanning images
<style>
.magazine-page {
width: 650pt;
margin: 0 auto;
padding: 45pt;
}
.article-title {
column-span: all;
font-size: 42pt;
font-weight: bold;
color: #1e3a8a;
line-height: 1.1;
margin: 0 0 15pt 0;
text-align: center;
}
.article-subtitle {
column-span: all;
font-size: 16pt;
color: #6b7280;
text-align: center;
margin: 0 0 10pt 0;
}
.byline {
column-span: all;
font-size: 11pt;
color: #9ca3af;
font-style: italic;
text-align: center;
margin: 0 0 30pt 0;
padding-bottom: 20pt;
border-bottom: 2pt solid #e5e7eb;
}
.article-content {
column-count: 2;
column-gap: 30pt;
text-align: justify;
line-height: 1.8;
font-size: 11pt;
}
.article-content p {
margin: 0 0 14pt 0;
}
.feature-image {
column-span: all;
width: 100%;
height: 200pt;
background-color: #dbeafe;
margin: 25pt 0;
display: flex;
align-items: center;
justify-content: center;
color: #2563eb;
font-size: 14pt;
border: 2pt solid #2563eb;
}
.image-caption {
column-span: all;
text-align: center;
font-size: 10pt;
color: #6b7280;
font-style: italic;
margin: -20pt 0 20pt 0;
}
</style>
<body>
<div class="magazine-page">
<div class="article-content">
<h1 class="article-title">The Art of Publication Design</h1>
<div class="article-subtitle">
Creating Professional Documents with Modern Tools
</div>
<div class="byline">By Alexandra Thompson | Photography by James Rodriguez</div>
<p>The principles of effective publication design have evolved over
centuries, but core concepts remain remarkably consistent. Understanding
how to use space, typography, and layout creates documents that are
both beautiful and functional.</p>
<p>One of the most powerful techniques is selective use of column-
spanning elements. By allowing key content to break out of the column
structure, designers create emphasis and organization without
abandoning the readability benefits of multi-column layout.</p>
<div class="feature-image">
[Featured Image: Modern Publication Layouts]
</div>
<div class="image-caption">
Figure 1: Examples of effective column-spanning elements in professional publications
</div>
<p>Notice how the image above spans the full width of the page,
creating a natural break in the content flow. This technique draws
attention to visual elements while maintaining the overall column
structure for text content.</p>
<p>Professional publications use this approach extensively. Magazine
articles feature spanning headlines, pull quotes, and images. Annual
reports use spanning section headers and data visualizations. The
pattern works across document types because it respects fundamental
principles of visual hierarchy and organization.</p>
</div>
</div>
</body>
Example 3: Newsletter with spanning callouts
<style>
.newsletter {
padding: 40pt;
}
.newsletter-header {
text-align: center;
background-color: #1e3a8a;
color: white;
padding: 30pt;
margin-bottom: 30pt;
}
.newsletter-title {
font-size: 40pt;
font-weight: bold;
margin: 0 0 10pt 0;
}
.newsletter-date {
font-size: 12pt;
margin: 0;
}
.newsletter-content {
column-count: 3;
column-gap: 20pt;
font-size: 10pt;
line-height: 1.6;
text-align: justify;
}
.newsletter-content h3 {
color: #1e3a8a;
font-size: 13pt;
margin: 0 0 8pt 0;
}
.newsletter-content p {
margin: 0 0 10pt 0;
}
.callout-box {
column-span: all;
background-color: #fef3c7;
border: 3pt solid #f59e0b;
padding: 20pt;
margin: 20pt 0;
text-align: center;
}
.callout-title {
font-size: 18pt;
font-weight: bold;
color: #92400e;
margin: 0 0 10pt 0;
}
.callout-text {
font-size: 12pt;
color: #78350f;
line-height: 1.6;
margin: 0;
}
</style>
<body>
<div class="newsletter">
<div class="newsletter-header">
<div class="newsletter-title">MONTHLY UPDATE</div>
<div class="newsletter-date">October 2025 | Volume 8, Issue 10</div>
</div>
<div class="newsletter-content">
<h3>Industry News</h3>
<p>Technology sector continues strong growth with document automation
leading adoption trends. Companies report significant efficiency gains
from automated generation systems.</p>
<h3>Product Updates</h3>
<p>New features released this month include enhanced column layout
controls and improved spanning capabilities for complex documents.</p>
<div class="callout-box">
<div class="callout-title">Special Announcement</div>
<div class="callout-text">
Join us for our annual conference on November 15th! Early bird
registration now open with special pricing for newsletter subscribers.
</div>
</div>
<h3>Success Stories</h3>
<p>Leading organizations share experiences implementing automated
document systems. Common themes include improved consistency, reduced
costs, and faster turnaround times.</p>
<h3>Tips & Tricks</h3>
<p>This month we explore column-span property for creating emphasis
in multi-column layouts. Strategic use of spanning elements enhances
document organization and visual appeal.</p>
<h3>Looking Ahead</h3>
<p>Upcoming features promise even more sophisticated layout options.
Stay tuned for announcements about new capabilities coming in Q4.</p>
</div>
</div>
</body>
Example 4: Academic paper with spanning tables
<style>
.paper {
width: 600pt;
margin: 0 auto;
padding: 50pt 40pt;
}
.paper-title {
column-span: all;
text-align: center;
font-size: 22pt;
font-weight: bold;
color: #1f2937;
line-height: 1.3;
margin-bottom: 18pt;
}
.author-block {
column-span: all;
text-align: center;
margin-bottom: 30pt;
}
.authors {
font-size: 12pt;
color: #1f2937;
margin-bottom: 8pt;
}
.affiliation {
font-size: 10pt;
color: #6b7280;
font-style: italic;
}
.paper-content {
column-count: 2;
column-gap: 25pt;
text-align: justify;
line-height: 1.7;
font-size: 10pt;
}
.paper-content h2 {
column-span: all;
font-size: 16pt;
font-weight: bold;
color: #1e3a8a;
margin: 25pt 0 12pt 0;
border-bottom: 2pt solid #e5e7eb;
padding-bottom: 6pt;
}
.paper-content p {
margin: 0 0 12pt 0;
}
.data-table {
column-span: all;
width: 100%;
border-collapse: collapse;
margin: 20pt 0;
font-size: 9pt;
}
.data-table th {
background-color: #1f2937;
color: white;
padding: 8pt;
text-align: left;
border: 1pt solid #374151;
}
.data-table td {
padding: 6pt 8pt;
border: 1pt solid #d1d5db;
}
.table-caption {
column-span: all;
text-align: center;
font-size: 9pt;
color: #6b7280;
font-style: italic;
margin: -15pt 0 15pt 0;
}
</style>
<body>
<div class="paper">
<div class="paper-content">
<h1 class="paper-title">
Impact of Column-Spanning Elements on Document Readability
</h1>
<div class="author-block">
<div class="authors">
Dr. Emily Richards, PhD and Prof. David Martinez, DSc
</div>
<div class="affiliation">
Department of Information Design, Institute of Technology
</div>
</div>
<h2>Abstract</h2>
<p>This study examines how column-spanning elements affect reading
comprehension and information retention in multi-column documents.
Results indicate that strategic use of spanning elements improves
navigation and comprehension by 18% compared to uniform column layouts.</p>
<h2>1. Introduction</h2>
<p>Multi-column layouts have proven benefits for readability, but
questions remain about optimal integration of full-width elements.
This research addresses that gap through controlled experiments.</p>
<p>We hypothesized that selective use of spanning elements would
enhance document organization without sacrificing the readability
benefits of columnar text. Our findings support this hypothesis.</p>
<h2>2. Methodology</h2>
<p>We tested 400 participants using documents with varying layouts.
Reading speed, comprehension, and navigation efficiency were measured
for each configuration.</p>
<table class="data-table">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Layout Type</th>
<th>Reading Speed (WPM)</th>
<th>Comprehension (%)</th>
<th>Navigation Score</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Uniform Columns</td>
<td>245</td>
<td>72%</td>
<td>6.2/10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Spanning Headers</td>
<td>248</td>
<td>78%</td>
<td>7.8/10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Spanning Headers + Images</td>
<td>242</td>
<td>85%</td>
<td>8.5/10</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<div class="table-caption">
Table 1: Comparative results across layout configurations (n=400)
</div>
<h2>3. Results</h2>
<p>The data clearly demonstrate benefits of strategic spanning element
use. Comprehension improved significantly, particularly for longer
documents where navigation matters most.</p>
<p>Interestingly, reading speed remained relatively constant across
configurations, suggesting that spanning elements enhance organization
without disrupting reading flow—an optimal outcome.</p>
</div>
</div>
</body>
Example 5: Brochure with spanning section headers
<style>
.brochure {
padding: 40pt;
}
.brochure-banner {
background-color: #1e3a8a;
color: white;
text-align: center;
padding: 35pt;
margin-bottom: 35pt;
}
.banner-title {
font-size: 44pt;
font-weight: bold;
margin: 0 0 12pt 0;
}
.banner-subtitle {
font-size: 18pt;
margin: 0;
}
.brochure-content {
column-count: 3;
column-gap: 25pt;
}
.section-header {
column-span: all;
background-color: #f3f4f6;
padding: 18pt;
margin: 25pt 0 20pt 0;
border-left: 6pt solid #2563eb;
}
.section-title {
font-size: 20pt;
font-weight: bold;
color: #1e3a8a;
margin: 0 0 5pt 0;
}
.section-description {
font-size: 12pt;
color: #6b7280;
margin: 0;
}
.feature-box {
break-inside: avoid;
margin-bottom: 20pt;
padding: 15pt;
background-color: white;
border: 2pt solid #e5e7eb;
}
.feature-number {
display: inline-block;
width: 30pt;
height: 30pt;
background-color: #2563eb;
color: white;
border-radius: 15pt;
text-align: center;
line-height: 30pt;
font-weight: bold;
margin-bottom: 10pt;
}
.feature-title {
font-weight: bold;
color: #1e3a8a;
font-size: 12pt;
margin-bottom: 6pt;
}
.feature-text {
font-size: 9pt;
line-height: 1.5;
color: #6b7280;
}
</style>
<body>
<div class="brochure">
<div class="brochure-banner">
<div class="banner-title">Complete Solutions</div>
<div class="banner-subtitle">End-to-End Services for Your Business</div>
</div>
<div class="brochure-content">
<div class="section-header">
<div class="section-title">Consulting Services</div>
<div class="section-description">
Expert guidance for strategic planning and implementation
</div>
</div>
<div class="feature-box">
<div class="feature-number">1</div>
<div class="feature-title">Strategic Assessment</div>
<div class="feature-text">
Comprehensive analysis of current state and future opportunities
</div>
</div>
<div class="feature-box">
<div class="feature-number">2</div>
<div class="feature-title">Roadmap Development</div>
<div class="feature-text">
Detailed planning for transformation initiatives
</div>
</div>
<div class="feature-box">
<div class="feature-number">3</div>
<div class="feature-title">Change Management</div>
<div class="feature-text">
Organizational support throughout implementation
</div>
</div>
<div class="section-header">
<div class="section-title">Development Services</div>
<div class="section-description">
Custom solutions built to your exact specifications
</div>
</div>
<div class="feature-box">
<div class="feature-number">4</div>
<div class="feature-title">System Design</div>
<div class="feature-text">
Architecture planning for scalable, maintainable solutions
</div>
</div>
<div class="feature-box">
<div class="feature-number">5</div>
<div class="feature-title">Implementation</div>
<div class="feature-text">
Expert development using industry best practices
</div>
</div>
<div class="feature-box">
<div class="feature-number">6</div>
<div class="feature-title">Quality Assurance</div>
<div class="feature-text">
Rigorous testing ensuring reliability and performance
</div>
</div>
<div class="section-header">
<div class="section-title">Support Services</div>
<div class="section-description">
Ongoing assistance ensuring continued success
</div>
</div>
<div class="feature-box">
<div class="feature-number">7</div>
<div class="feature-title">24/7 Monitoring</div>
<div class="feature-text">
Proactive system monitoring and issue resolution
</div>
</div>
<div class="feature-box">
<div class="feature-number">8</div>
<div class="feature-title">Help Desk</div>
<div class="feature-text">
Responsive support for user questions and issues
</div>
</div>
<div class="feature-box">
<div class="feature-number">9</div>
<div class="feature-title">Optimization</div>
<div class="feature-text">
Continuous improvement and performance tuning
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</body>
Example 6: Report with spanning pull quotes
<style>
.report {
width: 620pt;
margin: 0 auto;
padding: 45pt;
}
.report-title {
column-span: all;
font-size: 32pt;
font-weight: bold;
color: #1e3a8a;
text-align: center;
margin: 0 0 15pt 0;
}
.report-subtitle {
column-span: all;
font-size: 16pt;
color: #6b7280;
text-align: center;
margin: 0 0 30pt 0;
padding-bottom: 20pt;
border-bottom: 3pt solid #e5e7eb;
}
.report-content {
column-count: 2;
column-gap: 30pt;
text-align: justify;
line-height: 1.7;
font-size: 11pt;
}
.report-content h2 {
column-span: all;
font-size: 20pt;
font-weight: bold;
color: #1e3a8a;
margin: 30pt 0 15pt 0;
border-bottom: 2pt solid #e5e7eb;
padding-bottom: 10pt;
}
.report-content p {
margin: 0 0 14pt 0;
}
.pull-quote {
column-span: all;
text-align: center;
font-size: 24pt;
font-weight: bold;
color: #2563eb;
font-style: italic;
margin: 25pt 0;
padding: 20pt 0;
border-top: 3pt solid #dbeafe;
border-bottom: 3pt solid #dbeafe;
background-color: #f0f9ff;
}
.quote-attribution {
display: block;
font-size: 14pt;
color: #6b7280;
font-style: normal;
margin-top: 10pt;
}
</style>
<body>
<div class="report">
<div class="report-content">
<h1 class="report-title">Digital Transformation Strategy</h1>
<div class="report-subtitle">
Roadmap for Modernization and Growth
</div>
<h2>Executive Overview</h2>
<p>Our comprehensive analysis reveals significant opportunities for
digital transformation across core business processes. Strategic
investments in technology infrastructure will enable competitive
advantages and operational efficiencies.</p>
<p>This report outlines recommended initiatives, projected outcomes,
and implementation timelines for systematic modernization efforts.
Our approach balances ambition with pragmatism, ensuring achievable
milestones and measurable progress.</p>
<h2>Current State Assessment</h2>
<p>Legacy systems continue providing value but increasingly constrain
innovation and agility. Manual processes consume resources better
directed toward strategic initiatives. Document generation exemplifies
these challenges, with inconsistent output and substantial time
investment.</p>
<div class="pull-quote">
"Strategic automation investments will yield 35% cost reduction
while improving quality by 42%"
<span class="quote-attribution">— Analysis Summary</span>
</div>
<p>Market conditions favor organizations that can respond quickly to
changing requirements. Current infrastructure limits our ability to
adapt rapidly, creating competitive vulnerabilities that systematic
modernization will address.</p>
<h2>Strategic Recommendations</h2>
<p>We recommend phased implementation beginning with high-impact,
lower-risk initiatives that demonstrate clear value. Early successes
build momentum and stakeholder confidence for subsequent phases.</p>
<p>Document automation represents an ideal starting point: substantial
benefits, manageable complexity, and clear metrics for success. Modern
generation systems enable consistent branding, personalization at scale,
and dramatic time savings.</p>
</div>
</div>
</body>
Example 7: Magazine feature with spanning infographics
<style>
.magazine-feature {
width: 700pt;
margin: 0 auto;
padding: 50pt;
}
.feature-headline {
column-span: all;
font-size: 52pt;
font-weight: bold;
color: #1e3a8a;
line-height: 1;
margin: 0 0 20pt 0;
}
.feature-deck {
column-span: all;
font-size: 20pt;
color: #6b7280;
line-height: 1.4;
margin: 0 0 15pt 0;
}
.byline {
column-span: all;
font-size: 12pt;
color: #9ca3af;
font-style: italic;
margin: 0 0 35pt 0;
padding-bottom: 25pt;
border-bottom: 2pt solid #e5e7eb;
}
.feature-content {
column-count: 2;
column-gap: 35pt;
text-align: justify;
line-height: 1.9;
font-size: 12pt;
}
.feature-content p {
margin: 0 0 16pt 0;
}
.infographic {
column-span: all;
background-color: #f3f4f6;
padding: 30pt;
margin: 30pt 0;
border: 3pt solid #d1d5db;
}
.infographic-title {
text-align: center;
font-size: 20pt;
font-weight: bold;
color: #1e3a8a;
margin: 0 0 20pt 0;
}
.stat-grid {
display: table;
width: 100%;
border-collapse: separate;
border-spacing: 20pt;
}
.stat-box {
display: table-cell;
text-align: center;
background-color: white;
padding: 20pt;
border: 2pt solid #e5e7eb;
}
.stat-value {
font-size: 36pt;
font-weight: bold;
color: #2563eb;
margin-bottom: 10pt;
}
.stat-label {
font-size: 12pt;
color: #6b7280;
}
</style>
<body>
<div class="magazine-feature">
<div class="feature-content">
<h1 class="feature-headline">The Data Revolution</h1>
<div class="feature-deck">
How organizations are transforming information into competitive advantage
through strategic technology adoption
</div>
<div class="byline">
By Rebecca Thompson | Data Analysis by Marcus Kim | October 2025
</div>
<p>The volume of business data has exploded in recent years, creating
both challenges and unprecedented opportunities. Organizations that
master data-driven decision making gain significant competitive advantages
in increasingly dynamic markets.</p>
<p>Success requires more than technology investment—it demands cultural
change, process refinement, and strategic vision. Leading companies
approach data transformation holistically, addressing people, processes,
and technology simultaneously.</p>
<div class="infographic">
<div class="infographic-title">Impact of Data Transformation</div>
<div class="stat-grid">
<div class="stat-box">
<div class="stat-value">47%</div>
<div class="stat-label">Revenue Growth</div>
</div>
<div class="stat-box">
<div class="stat-value">62%</div>
<div class="stat-label">Efficiency Gain</div>
</div>
<div class="stat-box">
<div class="stat-value">38%</div>
<div class="stat-label">Cost Reduction</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p>These impressive results don't happen overnight. Organizations
typically see benefits emerge over 12-18 months as systems mature and
users develop proficiency. Early wins build momentum and justify
continued investment in capabilities.</p>
<p>Document generation exemplifies data transformation potential.
Automated systems that once generated simple form letters now create
sophisticated, personalized communications incorporating complex data
analysis and dynamic content selection. The results are communications
that resonate with recipients while scaling efficiently.</p>
</div>
</div>
</body>
Example 8: Event program with spanning schedule sections
<style>
.program {
padding: 40pt;
}
.program-cover {
column-span: all;
text-align: center;
background-color: #1e3a8a;
color: white;
padding: 45pt;
margin-bottom: 35pt;
}
.event-title {
font-size: 48pt;
font-weight: bold;
margin: 0 0 15pt 0;
}
.event-details {
font-size: 18pt;
margin: 0;
}
.program-content {
column-count: 2;
column-gap: 30pt;
font-size: 10pt;
}
.day-header {
column-span: all;
background-color: #f3f4f6;
padding: 20pt;
margin: 25pt 0 20pt 0;
border-left: 8pt solid #2563eb;
}
.day-title {
font-size: 22pt;
font-weight: bold;
color: #1e3a8a;
margin: 0 0 5pt 0;
}
.day-subtitle {
font-size: 13pt;
color: #6b7280;
margin: 0;
}
.session {
break-inside: avoid;
margin-bottom: 18pt;
padding: 12pt;
background-color: white;
border: 1pt solid #e5e7eb;
}
.session-time {
font-weight: bold;
color: #2563eb;
font-size: 11pt;
margin-bottom: 6pt;
}
.session-title {
font-weight: bold;
color: #1f2937;
font-size: 11pt;
margin-bottom: 5pt;
}
.session-speaker {
color: #6b7280;
font-size: 9pt;
font-style: italic;
margin-bottom: 5pt;
}
.session-location {
color: #9ca3af;
font-size: 9pt;
}
</style>
<body>
<div class="program">
<div class="program-content">
<div class="program-cover">
<div class="event-title">Tech Summit 2025</div>
<div class="event-details">
October 25-27 | Metropolitan Convention Center
</div>
</div>
<div class="day-header">
<div class="day-title">Friday, October 25</div>
<div class="day-subtitle">Opening Day & Keynotes</div>
</div>
<div class="session">
<div class="session-time">9:00 AM - 10:30 AM</div>
<div class="session-title">Opening Keynote: Future of Technology</div>
<div class="session-speaker">Dr. Sarah Johnson, CEO TechCorp</div>
<div class="session-location">Main Auditorium</div>
</div>
<div class="session">
<div class="session-time">11:00 AM - 12:30 PM</div>
<div class="session-title">Workshop: Document Automation</div>
<div class="session-speaker">Michael Chen, Senior Architect</div>
<div class="session-location">Workshop Hall A</div>
</div>
<div class="session">
<div class="session-time">2:00 PM - 3:30 PM</div>
<div class="session-title">Panel: AI and Machine Learning</div>
<div class="session-speaker">Industry Expert Panel</div>
<div class="session-location">Conference Room 201</div>
</div>
<div class="session">
<div class="session-time">4:00 PM - 5:30 PM</div>
<div class="session-title">Hands-on Lab: PDF Generation</div>
<div class="session-speaker">Alexandra Martinez, Lead Developer</div>
<div class="session-location">Lab 3B</div>
</div>
<div class="day-header">
<div class="day-title">Saturday, October 26</div>
<div class="day-subtitle">Deep Dives & Case Studies</div>
</div>
<div class="session">
<div class="session-time">9:00 AM - 10:30 AM</div>
<div class="session-title">Case Study: Enterprise Transformation</div>
<div class="session-speaker">Robert Williams, CTO GlobalBank</div>
<div class="session-location">Main Auditorium</div>
</div>
<div class="session">
<div class="session-time">11:00 AM - 12:30 PM</div>
<div class="session-title">Advanced Layout Techniques</div>
<div class="session-speaker">Jennifer Lee, UX Director</div>
<div class="session-location">Workshop Hall B</div>
</div>
<div class="session">
<div class="session-time">2:00 PM - 3:30 PM</div>
<div class="session-title">Building Scalable Systems</div>
<div class="session-speaker">David Foster, Systems Architect</div>
<div class="session-location">Conference Room 305</div>
</div>
<div class="session">
<div class="session-time">4:00 PM - 5:30 PM</div>
<div class="session-title">Q&A with Industry Leaders</div>
<div class="session-speaker">Executive Panel Discussion</div>
<div class="session-location">Main Auditorium</div>
</div>
<div class="day-header">
<div class="day-title">Sunday, October 27</div>
<div class="day-subtitle">Closing Sessions & Workshops</div>
</div>
<div class="session">
<div class="session-time">9:00 AM - 10:30 AM</div>
<div class="session-title">Future Trends in Document Design</div>
<div class="session-speaker">Lisa Anderson, VP Product</div>
<div class="session-location">Main Auditorium</div>
</div>
<div class="session">
<div class="session-time">11:00 AM - 12:30 PM</div>
<div class="session-title">Closing Keynote & Awards</div>
<div class="session-speaker">Conference Leadership</div>
<div class="session-location">Main Auditorium</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</body>
Example 9: Directory with spanning alphabetical headers
<style>
.directory {
padding: 35pt;
}
.directory-banner {
column-span: all;
background-color: #1f2937;
color: white;
text-align: center;
padding: 30pt;
margin-bottom: 30pt;
}
.directory-title {
font-size: 36pt;
font-weight: bold;
margin: 0 0 10pt 0;
}
.directory-subtitle {
font-size: 14pt;
margin: 0;
}
.directory-content {
column-count: 3;
column-gap: 20pt;
}
.letter-divider {
column-span: all;
font-size: 32pt;
font-weight: bold;
color: white;
background-color: #2563eb;
padding: 15pt 20pt;
margin: 20pt 0 15pt 0;
}
.directory-entry {
break-inside: avoid;
margin-bottom: 12pt;
padding: 10pt;
background-color: #f9fafb;
border-left: 3pt solid #2563eb;
}
.entry-name {
font-weight: bold;
color: #1e3a8a;
font-size: 10pt;
margin-bottom: 5pt;
}
.entry-title {
font-size: 8pt;
color: #6b7280;
margin-bottom: 3pt;
}
.entry-contact {
font-size: 8pt;
color: #9ca3af;
}
</style>
<body>
<div class="directory">
<div class="directory-content">
<div class="directory-banner">
<div class="directory-title">Staff Directory 2025</div>
<div class="directory-subtitle">Complete Employee Listing</div>
</div>
<div class="letter-divider">A</div>
<div class="directory-entry">
<div class="entry-name">Anderson, Sarah</div>
<div class="entry-title">Sales Manager</div>
<div class="entry-contact">Ext 2101 | sanderson@company.com</div>
</div>
<div class="directory-entry">
<div class="entry-name">Andrews, Michael</div>
<div class="entry-title">Marketing Director</div>
<div class="entry-contact">Ext 2102 | mandrews@company.com</div>
</div>
<div class="directory-entry">
<div class="entry-name">Armstrong, Jennifer</div>
<div class="entry-title">HR Specialist</div>
<div class="entry-contact">Ext 2103 | jarmstrong@company.com</div>
</div>
<div class="letter-divider">B</div>
<div class="directory-entry">
<div class="entry-name">Baker, Robert</div>
<div class="entry-title">IT Manager</div>
<div class="entry-contact">Ext 2201 | rbaker@company.com</div>
</div>
<div class="directory-entry">
<div class="entry-name">Bennett, Lisa</div>
<div class="entry-title">Financial Analyst</div>
<div class="entry-contact">Ext 2202 | lbennett@company.com</div>
</div>
<div class="directory-entry">
<div class="entry-name">Brooks, David</div>
<div class="entry-title">Operations Lead</div>
<div class="entry-contact">Ext 2203 | dbrooks@company.com</div>
</div>
<div class="directory-entry">
<div class="entry-name">Brown, Emma</div>
<div class="entry-title">Customer Success</div>
<div class="entry-contact">Ext 2204 | ebrown@company.com</div>
</div>
<div class="letter-divider">C</div>
<div class="directory-entry">
<div class="entry-name">Carter, James</div>
<div class="entry-title">Product Manager</div>
<div class="entry-contact">Ext 2301 | jcarter@company.com</div>
</div>
<div class="directory-entry">
<div class="entry-name">Chen, Lisa</div>
<div class="entry-title">Marketing Lead</div>
<div class="entry-contact">Ext 2302 | lchen@company.com</div>
</div>
<div class="directory-entry">
<div class="entry-name">Collins, Daniel</div>
<div class="entry-title">Engineering Manager</div>
<div class="entry-contact">Ext 2303 | dcollins@company.com</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</body>
Example 10: Complex layout with multiple spanning elements
<style>
.publication {
width: 680pt;
margin: 0 auto;
padding: 50pt;
}
.masthead {
column-span: all;
text-align: center;
border-bottom: 4pt solid #1e3a8a;
padding-bottom: 25pt;
margin-bottom: 30pt;
}
.publication-name {
font-size: 48pt;
font-weight: bold;
color: #1e3a8a;
margin: 0 0 10pt 0;
}
.issue-info {
font-size: 13pt;
color: #6b7280;
margin: 0;
}
.main-content {
column-count: 2;
column-gap: 32pt;
text-align: justify;
line-height: 1.8;
font-size: 11pt;
}
.main-headline {
column-span: all;
font-size: 38pt;
font-weight: bold;
color: #1e3a8a;
line-height: 1.2;
margin: 0 0 15pt 0;
}
.subhead {
column-span: all;
font-size: 16pt;
color: #6b7280;
line-height: 1.5;
margin: 0 0 10pt 0;
}
.byline {
column-span: all;
font-size: 11pt;
color: #9ca3af;
font-style: italic;
margin: 0 0 25pt 0;
}
.main-content p {
margin: 0 0 14pt 0;
}
.section-break {
column-span: all;
height: 30pt;
background: linear-gradient(to right, #2563eb 0%, #dbeafe 50%, #2563eb 100%);
margin: 25pt 0;
}
.section-title {
column-span: all;
font-size: 24pt;
font-weight: bold;
color: #1e3a8a;
margin: 30pt 0 15pt 0;
padding-bottom: 10pt;
border-bottom: 3pt solid #e5e7eb;
}
.featured-quote {
column-span: all;
background-color: #f0f9ff;
border-left: 8pt solid #2563eb;
padding: 25pt;
margin: 25pt 0;
font-size: 20pt;
font-style: italic;
color: #1e3a8a;
text-align: center;
}
</style>
<body>
<div class="publication">
<div class="main-content">
<div class="masthead">
<div class="publication-name">DESIGN PERSPECTIVES</div>
<div class="issue-info">October 2025 | Vol. 12, Issue 10</div>
</div>
<h1 class="main-headline">Mastering Multi-Column Layouts</h1>
<div class="subhead">
A comprehensive guide to creating professional publication-quality
documents using modern CSS techniques and best practices
</div>
<div class="byline">
By Victoria Sterling | Design by Marcus Kim | October 14, 2025
</div>
<p>The art of document layout has evolved significantly, but core
principles remain constant. Understanding how to effectively combine
columnar text flow with strategic full-width elements creates documents
that are both functional and beautiful.</p>
<p>Column-spanning elements serve multiple purposes: they create visual
hierarchy, organize content into logical sections, and provide emphasis
for key information. Used thoughtfully, they enhance rather than
disrupt the reading experience.</p>
<div class="featured-quote">
"Strategic use of spanning elements improves document navigation
and comprehension by up to 18%"
</div>
<p>Research supports what designers have long known intuitively: readers
navigate documents more effectively when clear visual landmarks mark
section boundaries and organizational structure. Full-width headers,
images, and callouts serve as these crucial waypoints.</p>
<div class="section-break"></div>
<h2 class="section-title">Implementation Strategies</h2>
<p>Successful implementation requires balancing competing concerns.
Too many spanning elements fragment the layout and dilute their impact.
Too few fails to provide adequate organization and visual interest.</p>
<p>Professional publications typically employ spanning elements for
major headlines, section dividers, significant images or infographics,
and occasional pull quotes or callouts. This measured approach maintains
column benefits while providing structural clarity.</p>
<div class="section-break"></div>
<h2 class="section-title">Best Practices</h2>
<p>Consider these guidelines when designing multi-column layouts with
spanning elements: Use spans for genuine organization, not decoration.
Maintain consistent styling for similar element types. Ensure adequate
spacing around spanning elements to prevent visual crowding.</p>
<p>Remember that every spanning element creates a break in the reading
flow. Make these breaks count by using them to mark meaningful
transitions in content or to highlight truly important information.</p>
</div>
</div>
</body>
See Also
- column-count - Set number of columns
- column-gap - Set spacing between columns
- column-width - Set ideal column width
- display - Control element display type
- style - Inline style attribute