If you need two parallel columns, you should be using a two-column table
instead of newspaper-style columns. The idea of the latter is to fill the
first column with text that then "snakes" into the second. If you need to
put text in the second column before the first is full, you can insert a
column break (Ctrl+Shift+Enter). See
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/Formatting/UsingColumns.htm

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
Word MVP FAQ site: http://word.mvps.org
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"frustrated" wrote in message
...
I want to create a letter with a section with 2 columns. I have followed
the
help directions and clicked on the column button on the standard tool bar.
I
cannot insert the text into the second column.

I don't know what I am doing wrong or right. Can someone help?