Editing Add a column (section)

= How to Add a Column to Your Campaign =

Adding a column to your email campaign can enhance your messaging by organizing content more effectively. Whether you want to create a more structured layout or simply want to add more visual interest, knowing how to add a column is an essential skill when using ActiveCampaign’s email design tools.

In this article, you'll learn how to add a column to your campaign using both the Email Designer and the Classic Designer in ActiveCampaign. This feature is available for all plan types: Starter, Plus, Pro, and Enterprise.

== How to Access This Feature ==

You can access this feature by starting a new campaign or editing an existing one. Navigate to the **Content** tab within your campaign to get started with adding columns to your design.

== Step-by-Step Instructions ==

=== Adding a Column Using the Email Designer ===

1. **Select the Content Tab**: Under the **Content** tab in your campaign, locate the option to click and drag a new '''Structure''' into your campaign.
   
2. **Choose Your Structure**: You can select a '''Structure''' with the number of containers you'd like. Container options allow you to determine how many columns will be present. 

3. **Highlight the Structure**: If you need to add additional containers after your structure is placed, click inside the structure until it is highlighted in green.

4. **Add Additional Containers**: In the right sidebar, click the plus (+) sign next to the container to add more containers as needed.

5. **Adjust Container Sizes**: You can modify the size of the containers by clicking on the equal symbol to maintain uniformity across all containers or use the plus and minus buttons to customize their sizes to your liking.

6. **Drag Blocks into Containers**: After determining the size and number of containers, click and drag the desired blocks into the containers to finalize your layout. 

=== Adding a Column Using the Classic Designer ===

1. **Drag a Content Block**: Click and drag a new content block to the edge of an existing content block of your choice.

2. **Highlight the First Column**: Move the newly added content block around until only the edge of the content you want to be your first column is highlighted.

3. **Adjust Column Size**: Optionally, adjust the size of the column by clicking on that content block, hovering over the side, and dragging it to your desired width.

== Configuration Options and Settings ==

While adding a column to your campaign, you will encounter several key configuration options:

- **Structure**: This is where you can define how many columns you want to add.
- **Containers**: These are the individual segments within your structure where you can place content blocks.
- **Equal Symbol**: An important feature used to ensure that all containers are identical in size.
- **Plus and Minus Buttons**: Utilize these buttons to modify the size of your containers for a customized design.

== Best Practices and Tips ==

- **Plan Your Layout**: Before beginning, sketch out or plan what information you wish to include in each column. This helps in selecting how many containers you need.
- **Keep It Simple**: Aim for a layout that is easy to read. Avoid overcrowding a column with too many elements, as this can confuse your audience.
- **Use Visual Hierarchy**: Differentiate columns through size, background colors, or spacing to help guide the reader's eye.
- **Preview Your Design**: Utilize the preview option to see how your email will appear on different devices.

== Common Use Cases with Examples ==

1. **Promotional Offers**: Use columns to display multiple promotional offers side by side, allowing recipients to compare quickly.
  
2. **Product Features**: Showcase product features in a two-column layout, providing visual separation for enhanced readability.

3. **Newsletters**: Organize your newsletter content by using columns to separate articles, announcements, and highlights efficiently.

== Troubleshooting ==

If you encounter any issues while adding columns, consider the following:

- **Column Resizing Problems**: If you cannot resize containers, ensure that you are clicking on the correct portion of the container and dragging appropriately.
- **Highlighting Not Working**: If structures or containers are not highlighting when clicked, try refreshing the page or checking for any updates or browser issues.

== Related Features ==

- [[Email Designer]]
- [[Content Blocks]]
- [[Classic Designer]]

== FAQ ==

=== How many columns can I add? ===
You can select multiple columns depending on the chosen structure when adding a column in the Email Designer.

=== Can I adjust the width of columns? ===
Yes, you can easily adjust the width of containers by clicking and dragging along the side of the content block.

=== Do I need an upgraded plan to access this feature? ===
No, the column feature is available on all plan types: Starter, Plus, Pro, and Enterprise.

=== What if my design doesn’t look right on mobile? ===
Always use the preview option to check how your email will appear on mobile devices before sending it out.

=== Is there a limit to the number of content blocks I can add? ===
While there is no hard limit to content block additions, ensure your design remains clear and organized to avoid overwhelming recipients.

=== Can I revert back if I make a mistake? ===
You can undo your last actions in the editor, but be sure to save your design frequently to prevent loss of progress.

=== Where can I learn more about email design best practices? ===
For more insights on effective email design, refer to the [[Email Design Guidelines]] section in ActiveCampaign’s documentation.

By following the guidelines above, you can effectively add columns to your active campaigns, improving the structure and clarity of your email communications.
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