Index: scribus/pageitem.h
===================================================================
--- scribus/pageitem.h	(revision 27829)
+++ scribus/pageitem.h	(working copy)
@@ -95,6 +95,32 @@
 #define _unlink unlink
 #endif
 
+struct SCRIBUS_API TextColumnLayout
+{
+	int columnCount { 1 };
+	double columnGap { 0.0 };
+	bool custom { false };
+	QVector<double> widthRatios;
+	QVector<double> gaps;
+
+	bool operator==(const TextColumnLayout& other) const
+	{
+		return columnCount == other.columnCount
+			&& columnGap == other.columnGap
+			&& custom == other.custom
+			&& widthRatios == other.widthRatios
+			&& gaps == other.gaps;
+	}
+
+	bool operator!=(const TextColumnLayout& other) const { return !(*this == other); }
+};
+
+struct SCRIBUS_API TextColumnGeometry
+{
+	double left { 0.0 };
+	double width { 0.0 };
+};
+
 class SCRIBUS_API PageItem : public QObject, public UndoObject, public SaxIO, public SingleObservable<PageItem>, public TextContext
 {
 	Q_OBJECT
@@ -793,6 +819,8 @@
 	double textToFrameDistBottom() const { return m_textDistanceMargins.bottom(); }
 	int columns() const { return m_columns; }
 	double columnGap() const { return m_columnGap; }
+	TextColumnLayout textColumnLayout() const;
+	bool hasCustomTextColumns() const { return m_customColumnLayout; }
 	double gridOffset() const;
 	double gridDistance() const;
 	int verticalAlignment() const;
@@ -802,6 +830,7 @@
 	void setTextToFrameDistBottom(double);
 	void setColumns(int);
 	void setColumnGap(double);
+	void setTextColumnLayout(const TextColumnLayout& layout);
 	void setGridOffset(double);
 	void setGridDistance(double);
 	void setVerticalAlignment(int);
@@ -1349,6 +1378,9 @@
 	bool snapToPatchGrid {false};
 	int m_columns;
 	double m_columnGap;
+	bool m_customColumnLayout { false };
+	QVector<double> m_columnWidthRatios;
+	QVector<double> m_columnGaps;
 	Qt::PenStyle PLineArt; ///< Linestyle
 	Qt::PenCapStyle PLineEnd;
 	Qt::PenJoinStyle PLineJoin;
@@ -1566,6 +1598,7 @@
 	void restoreClearImage(UndoState *state, bool isUndo);
 	void restoreColumns(SimpleState *state, bool isUndo);
 	void restoreColumnsGap(SimpleState *state, bool isUndo);
+	void restoreTextColumnLayout(SimpleState *state, bool isUndo);
 	void restoreConnectPath(SimpleState *state, bool isUndo);
 	void restoreContourLine(SimpleState *state, bool isUndo);
 	void restoreCornerRadius(SimpleState *state, bool isUndo);
Index: scribus/pageitem.cpp
===================================================================
--- scribus/pageitem.cpp	(revision 27829)
+++ scribus/pageitem.cpp	(working copy)
@@ -137,6 +137,9 @@
 	snapToPatchGrid(other.snapToPatchGrid),
 	m_columns(other.m_columns),
 	m_columnGap(other.m_columnGap),
+	m_customColumnLayout(other.m_customColumnLayout),
+	m_columnWidthRatios(other.m_columnWidthRatios),
+	m_columnGaps(other.m_columnGaps),
 	PLineArt(other.PLineArt),
 	PLineEnd(other.PLineEnd),
 	PLineJoin(other.PLineJoin),
@@ -1514,6 +1517,16 @@
 
 void PageItem::setColumns(int newColumnCount)
 {
+	if (m_customColumnLayout)
+	{
+		TextColumnLayout layout = textColumnLayout();
+		layout.columnCount = newColumnCount;
+		layout.custom = false;
+		layout.widthRatios.clear();
+		layout.gaps.clear();
+		setTextColumnLayout(layout);
+		return;
+	}
 	if (m_columns == newColumnCount)
 		return;
 	if (UndoManager::undoEnabled())
@@ -1529,6 +1542,16 @@
 
 void PageItem::setColumnGap(double newColumnGap)
 {
+	if (m_customColumnLayout)
+	{
+		TextColumnLayout layout = textColumnLayout();
+		layout.columnGap = newColumnGap;
+		layout.custom = false;
+		layout.widthRatios.clear();
+		layout.gaps.clear();
+		setTextColumnLayout(layout);
+		return;
+	}
 	if (m_columnGap == newColumnGap)
 		return;
 	if (UndoManager::undoEnabled())
@@ -1542,6 +1565,80 @@
 	m_columnGap = newColumnGap;
 }
 
+TextColumnLayout PageItem::textColumnLayout() const
+{
+	TextColumnLayout layout;
+	layout.columnCount = m_columns;
+	layout.columnGap = m_columnGap;
+	layout.custom = m_customColumnLayout;
+	layout.widthRatios = m_columnWidthRatios;
+	layout.gaps = m_columnGaps;
+	return layout;
+}
+
+void PageItem::setTextColumnLayout(const TextColumnLayout& newLayout)
+{
+	TextColumnLayout layout = newLayout;
+	layout.columnCount = qMax(1, layout.columnCount);
+	layout.columnGap = qIsFinite(layout.columnGap) ? qMax(0.0, layout.columnGap) : 0.0;
+
+	bool validCustomLayout = layout.custom
+		&& layout.columnCount >= 2
+		&& layout.widthRatios.size() == layout.columnCount
+		&& layout.gaps.size() == layout.columnCount - 1;
+	double ratioSum = 0.0;
+	if (validCustomLayout)
+	{
+		for (double ratio : std::as_const(layout.widthRatios))
+		{
+			if (!qIsFinite(ratio) || ratio <= 0.0)
+			{
+				validCustomLayout = false;
+				break;
+			}
+			ratioSum += ratio;
+		}
+		for (double& gap : layout.gaps)
+		{
+			if (!qIsFinite(gap))
+			{
+				validCustomLayout = false;
+				break;
+			}
+			gap = qMax(0.0, gap);
+		}
+		validCustomLayout &= qIsFinite(ratioSum) && ratioSum > 0.0;
+	}
+
+	if (validCustomLayout)
+	{
+		for (double& ratio : layout.widthRatios)
+			ratio /= ratioSum;
+	}
+	else
+	{
+		layout.custom = false;
+		layout.widthRatios.clear();
+		layout.gaps.clear();
+	}
+
+	const TextColumnLayout oldLayout = textColumnLayout();
+	if (oldLayout == layout)
+		return;
+	if (UndoManager::undoEnabled())
+	{
+		auto *state = new ScOldNewState<TextColumnLayout>(Um::Columns, QString(), Um::IBorder);
+		state->set("TEXT_COLUMN_LAYOUT");
+		state->setStates(oldLayout, layout);
+		undoManager->action(this, state);
+	}
+	m_columns = layout.columnCount;
+	m_columnGap = layout.columnGap;
+	m_customColumnLayout = layout.custom;
+	m_columnWidthRatios = layout.widthRatios;
+	m_columnGaps = layout.gaps;
+}
+
 int PageItem::verticalAlignment() const
 {
 	return verticalAlign;
@@ -4911,6 +5008,8 @@
 			restoreLineColor(ss, isUndo);
 		else if (ss->contains("VERTICAL_ALIGN"))
 			restoreVerticalAlign(ss, isUndo);
+		else if (ss->contains("TEXT_COLUMN_LAYOUT"))
+			restoreTextColumnLayout(ss, isUndo);
 		else if (ss->contains("COLUMNS"))
 			restoreColumns(ss, isUndo);
 		else if (ss->contains("COLUMNSGAP"))
@@ -6926,6 +7025,23 @@
 	update();
 }
 
+void PageItem::restoreTextColumnLayout(SimpleState *ss, bool isUndo)
+{
+	const auto *state = dynamic_cast<ScOldNewState<TextColumnLayout>*>(ss);
+	if (!state)
+	{
+		qFatal("PageItem::restoreTextColumnLayout: dynamic cast failed");
+		return;
+	}
+	const TextColumnLayout& layout = isUndo ? state->getOldState() : state->getNewState();
+	m_columns = layout.columnCount;
+	m_columnGap = layout.columnGap;
+	m_customColumnLayout = layout.custom;
+	m_columnWidthRatios = layout.widthRatios;
+	m_columnGaps = layout.gaps;
+	update();
+}
+
 void PageItem::restoreLeftTextFrameDist(SimpleState *ss, bool isUndo)
 {
 	if (isUndo)
Index: scribus/pageitem_textframe.h
===================================================================
--- scribus/pageitem_textframe.h	(revision 27829)
+++ scribus/pageitem_textframe.h	(working copy)
@@ -114,7 +114,8 @@
 	bool isValidChainFromBegin();
 	void setTextAnnotationOpen(bool open);
 
-	double columnWidth();
+	double columnWidth(int physicalColumn = 0) const;
+	QVector<TextColumnGeometry> columnGeometry() const;
 
 	//enable/disable marks inserting actions depending on editMode
 	void toggleEditModeActions();
Index: scribus/pageitem_textframe.cpp
===================================================================
--- scribus/pageitem_textframe.cpp	(revision 27829)
+++ scribus/pageitem_textframe.cpp	(working copy)
@@ -23,6 +23,8 @@
 
 #include "pageitem_textframe.h"
 
+#include <utility>
+
 #include <QDebug>
 #include <QList>
 #include <QTransform>
@@ -373,10 +375,8 @@
 	QList<GlyphCluster> glyphs;
 	bool     isEmpty { true };
 	int      hyphenCount { 0 };
-	double   colWidth;
-	double   colGap;
-	double   colLeft;
-	double   colRight;
+	double   colLeft { 0.0 };
+	double   colRight { 0.0 };
 	int      column { 0 };
 	bool     startOfCol { true };
 	bool     hasDropCap;
@@ -406,33 +406,38 @@
 	double   maxStretch { 0.0 };
 	ScribusDoc* doc { nullptr };
 	ITextContext* context { nullptr };
+	QVector<TextColumnGeometry> columns;
 
 	/// remember frame dimensions and offsets
-	LineControl(double w, double h, const MarginStruct& extra, double lCorr, ScribusDoc* d, ITextContext* ctx, double colwidth, double colgap)
+	LineControl(double w, double h, const MarginStruct& extra, double lCorr, ScribusDoc* d, ITextContext* ctx, const QVector<TextColumnGeometry>& columnGeometry)
 		: hasDropCap(false)
-		, doc(d), context(ctx)
+		, doc(d), context(ctx), columns(columnGeometry)
 	{
 		insets = extra;
 		lineCorr = lCorr;
 		frameWidth = w;
 		frameHeight = h;
-		colWidth = colwidth;
-		colGap = colgap;
-		colLeft = insets.left() + lineCorr;
-		colRight = colLeft + colWidth;
+		if (!columns.isEmpty())
+		{
+			colLeft = columns.first().left;
+			colRight = colLeft + columns.first().width;
+		}
 	}
 
 	/// move position to next column
 	void nextColumn(TextLayout &textLayout)
 	{
 		startOfCol = true;
-		if (textLayout.story()->defaultStyle().direction() == ParagraphStyle::RTL)
-			colLeft = textLayout.frame()->width() - insets.right() - ((colWidth * (column + 1)) + (colGap * column));
-		else
-			colLeft = (colWidth + colGap) * column + insets.left() + lineCorr;
-		textLayout.addColumn(colLeft, colWidth);
+		const bool rtl = textLayout.story()->defaultStyle().direction() == ParagraphStyle::RTL;
+		const int columnCount = static_cast<int>(columns.size());
+		const int physicalColumn = rtl ? columnCount - column - 1 : column;
+		if (physicalColumn < 0 || physicalColumn >= columnCount)
+			return;
+		const TextColumnGeometry& geometry = columns.at(physicalColumn);
+		colLeft = geometry.left;
+		textLayout.addColumn(colLeft, geometry.width);
 		//now colRight is REAL column right edge
-		colRight = colLeft + colWidth;
+		colRight = colLeft + geometry.width;
 		if (legacy)
 			colRight += lineCorr;
 		xPos = colLeft;
@@ -1341,7 +1346,7 @@
 		QList<GlyphCluster> glyphClusters; // = textShaper.shape();
 		// std::sort(glyphClusters.begin(), glyphClusters.end(), logicalGlyphRunComp);
 
-		LineControl current(m_width, m_height, m_textDistanceMargins, lineCorr, m_Doc, context, columnWidth(), m_columnGap);
+		LineControl current(m_width, m_height, m_textDistanceMargins, lineCorr, m_Doc, context, columnGeometry());
 		current.nextColumn(textLayout);
 
 		lastLineY = m_textDistanceMargins.top();
@@ -5109,15 +5114,64 @@
 	m_Doc->scMW()->setCopyCutEnabled(false);
 }
 
-double PageItem_TextFrame::columnWidth()
+QVector<TextColumnGeometry> PageItem_TextFrame::columnGeometry() const
 {
-	double lineCorr;
+	double lineCorr = 0.0;
 	if (lineColor() != CommonStrings::None)
 		lineCorr = m_lineWidth / 2.0;
-	else
-		lineCorr = 0;
-	return (m_width - (m_columnGap * (m_columns - 1)) - m_textDistanceMargins.left() - m_textDistanceMargins.right() - 2 * lineCorr) / m_columns;
-//	return (Width - (ColGap * (Cols - 1)) - m_textDistanceMargins.left() - m_textDistanceMargins.right() - lineCorr) / Cols;
+
+	const int columnCount = qMax(1, m_columns);
+	const double contentLeft = m_textDistanceMargins.left() + lineCorr;
+	const double rawContentWidth = m_width - m_textDistanceMargins.left()
+		- m_textDistanceMargins.right() - 2.0 * lineCorr;
+	const bool useCustomLayout = m_customColumnLayout
+		&& m_columnWidthRatios.size() == columnCount
+		&& m_columnGaps.size() == columnCount - 1;
+	QVector<TextColumnGeometry> result;
+	result.reserve(columnCount);
+	if (!useCustomLayout)
+	{
+		const double width = (rawContentWidth - m_columnGap * (columnCount - 1)) / columnCount;
+		for (int column = 0; column < columnCount; ++column)
+			result.append(TextColumnGeometry { contentLeft + (width + m_columnGap) * column, width });
+		return result;
+	}
+
+	const double contentWidth = qMax(0.0, rawContentWidth);
+	const QVector<double>& ratios = m_columnWidthRatios;
+	const QVector<double>& gaps = m_columnGaps;
+
+	double gapTotal = 0.0;
+	for (double gap : std::as_const(gaps))
+		gapTotal += qMax(0.0, gap);
+	const double minimumColumnWidth = qMin(0.01, contentWidth / columnCount);
+	const double maximumGapTotal = qMax(0.0, contentWidth - minimumColumnWidth * columnCount);
+	const double gapScale = gapTotal > maximumGapTotal && gapTotal > 0.0
+		? maximumGapTotal / gapTotal : 1.0;
+	const double widthsTotal = qMax(0.0, contentWidth - gapTotal * gapScale);
+
+	double left = contentLeft;
+	double usedWidth = 0.0;
+	for (int column = 0; column < columnCount; ++column)
+	{
+		double width = widthsTotal * ratios.at(column);
+		if (column == columnCount - 1)
+			width = qMax(0.0, widthsTotal - usedWidth);
+		result.append(TextColumnGeometry { left, width });
+		usedWidth += width;
+		left += width;
+		if (column < gaps.size())
+			left += qMax(0.0, gaps.at(column)) * gapScale;
+	}
+	return result;
+}
+
+double PageItem_TextFrame::columnWidth(int physicalColumn) const
+{
+	const QVector<TextColumnGeometry> geometry = columnGeometry();
+	if (geometry.isEmpty())
+		return 0.0;
+	return geometry.at(qBound(0, physicalColumn, static_cast<int>(geometry.size()) - 1)).width;
 }
 
 /*
@@ -5159,9 +5213,6 @@
 	p->setFillMode(ScPainter::Solid);
 	p->setupPolygon(&PoLine);
 	p->setClipPath();
-	double colWidth = columnWidth();
-	double colLeft=0;
-	int curCol=0;
 	double lineCorr=0;
 	if (lineColor() != CommonStrings::None)
 		lineCorr = m_lineWidth / 2.0;
@@ -5169,14 +5220,13 @@
 		p->drawSharpLine(FPoint(m_textDistanceMargins.left() + lineCorr, m_textDistanceMargins.top() + lineCorr), FPoint(m_width - m_textDistanceMargins.right() - lineCorr, m_textDistanceMargins.top() + lineCorr));
 	if (m_textDistanceMargins.bottom() + lineCorr!=0.0)
 		p->drawSharpLine(FPoint(m_textDistanceMargins.left() + lineCorr, m_height - m_textDistanceMargins.bottom() - lineCorr), FPoint(m_width - m_textDistanceMargins.right() - lineCorr, m_height - m_textDistanceMargins.bottom() - lineCorr));
-	while (curCol < m_columns)
+	const QVector<TextColumnGeometry> geometry = columnGeometry();
+	for (const TextColumnGeometry& column : geometry)
 	{
-		colLeft=(colWidth + m_columnGap) * curCol + m_textDistanceMargins.left() + lineCorr;
-		if (colLeft != 0.0)
-			p->drawSharpLine(FPoint(colLeft, m_textDistanceMargins.top() + lineCorr), FPoint(colLeft, m_height - m_textDistanceMargins.bottom() - lineCorr));
-		if (colLeft + colWidth != m_width)
-			p->drawSharpLine(FPoint(colLeft + colWidth, m_textDistanceMargins.top() + lineCorr), FPoint(colLeft + colWidth, m_height - m_textDistanceMargins.bottom() - lineCorr));
-		++curCol;
+		if (column.left != 0.0)
+			p->drawSharpLine(FPoint(column.left, m_textDistanceMargins.top() + lineCorr), FPoint(column.left, m_height - m_textDistanceMargins.bottom() - lineCorr));
+		if (column.left + column.width != m_width)
+			p->drawSharpLine(FPoint(column.left + column.width, m_textDistanceMargins.top() + lineCorr), FPoint(column.left + column.width, m_height - m_textDistanceMargins.bottom() - lineCorr));
 	}
 
 }
Index: scribus/plugins/scriptplugin/cmdtext.cpp
===================================================================
--- scribus/plugins/scriptplugin/cmdtext.cpp	(revision 27829)
+++ scribus/plugins/scriptplugin/cmdtext.cpp	(working copy)
@@ -1142,7 +1142,7 @@
 		PyErr_SetString(WrongFrameTypeError, QObject::tr("Cannot set column gap on a non-text frame.","python error").toUtf8().constData());
 		return nullptr;
 	}
-	item->m_columnGap = ValueToPoint(w);
+	item->setColumnGap(ValueToPoint(w));
 
 	Py_RETURN_NONE;
 }
@@ -1168,7 +1168,7 @@
 		PyErr_SetString(WrongFrameTypeError, QObject::tr("Cannot set number of columns on a non-text frame.","python error").toUtf8().constData());
 		return nullptr;
 	}
-	item->m_columns = w;
+	item->setColumns(w);
 
 	Py_RETURN_NONE;
 }

Index: scribus/pageitem.h
===================================================================
--- scribus/pageitem.h	(revision 27829)
+++ scribus/pageitem.h	(working copy)
@@ -830,7 +830,7 @@
 	void setTextToFrameDistBottom(double);
 	void setColumns(int);
 	void setColumnGap(double);
-	void setTextColumnLayout(const TextColumnLayout& layout);
+	void setTextColumnLayout(const TextColumnLayout& layout, bool recordUndo = true);
 	void setGridOffset(double);
 	void setGridDistance(double);
 	void setVerticalAlignment(int);
Index: scribus/pageitem.cpp
===================================================================
--- scribus/pageitem.cpp	(revision 27829)
+++ scribus/pageitem.cpp	(working copy)
@@ -1576,7 +1576,7 @@
 	return layout;
 }
 
-void PageItem::setTextColumnLayout(const TextColumnLayout& newLayout)
+void PageItem::setTextColumnLayout(const TextColumnLayout& newLayout, bool recordUndo)
 {
 	TextColumnLayout layout = newLayout;
 	layout.columnCount = qMax(1, layout.columnCount);
@@ -1624,7 +1624,7 @@
 	const TextColumnLayout oldLayout = textColumnLayout();
 	if (oldLayout == layout)
 		return;
-	if (UndoManager::undoEnabled())
+	if (recordUndo && UndoManager::undoEnabled())
 	{
 		auto *state = new ScOldNewState<TextColumnLayout>(Um::Columns, QString(), Um::IBorder);
 		state->set("TEXT_COLUMN_LAYOUT");
Index: scribus/canvasmode_copyproperties.cpp
===================================================================
--- scribus/canvasmode_copyproperties.cpp	(revision 27829)
+++ scribus/canvasmode_copyproperties.cpp	(working copy)
@@ -159,8 +159,7 @@
 	if (GetItem(&currItem))
 	{
 		double sx, sy, ex, ey, fx, fy, ss, sk;
-		currItem->m_columnGap = m_doc->ElemToLink->m_columnGap;
-		currItem->m_columns = m_doc->ElemToLink->m_columns;
+		currItem->setTextColumnLayout(m_doc->ElemToLink->textColumnLayout());
 		currItem->setTextToFrameDist(m_doc->ElemToLink->textToFrameDistLeft(), m_doc->ElemToLink->textToFrameDistRight(), m_doc->ElemToLink->textToFrameDistTop(), m_doc->ElemToLink->textToFrameDistBottom());
 		// Stroke Properties
 		currItem->setLineStyle(m_doc->ElemToLink->lineStyle());
Index: scribus/plugins/fileloader/scribus171format/scribus171format.cpp
===================================================================
--- scribus/plugins/fileloader/scribus171format/scribus171format.cpp	(revision 27829)
+++ scribus/plugins/fileloader/scribus171format/scribus171format.cpp	(working copy)
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 #include <QList>
 #include <QRegularExpression>
 #include <QScopedPointer>
+#include <QStringList>
 #include <QStringView>
 
 #include "../../formatidlist.h"
@@ -62,6 +63,38 @@
 // Please don't implement the functionality of your plugin here; do that
 // in scribus171formatimpl.h and scribus171formatimpl.cpp .
 
+namespace
+{
+	QVector<double> parseTextColumnDoubleList(const QString& values)
+	{
+		QVector<double> result;
+		const QStringList parts = values.split(QLatin1Char(' '), Qt::SkipEmptyParts);
+		result.reserve(parts.size());
+		for (const QString& part : parts)
+		{
+			bool ok = false;
+			const double value = part.toDouble(&ok);
+			if (!ok)
+				return {};
+			result.append(value);
+		}
+		return result;
+	}
+
+	void readCustomTextColumns(PageItem* item, const ScXmlStreamAttributes& attrs,
+							   const char* customAttribute, const char* widthsAttribute, const char* gapsAttribute)
+	{
+		if (!attrs.valueAsBool(customAttribute, false))
+			return;
+
+		TextColumnLayout layout = item->textColumnLayout();
+		layout.custom = true;
+		layout.widthRatios = parseTextColumnDoubleList(attrs.valueAsString(widthsAttribute));
+		layout.gaps = parseTextColumnDoubleList(attrs.valueAsString(gapsAttribute));
+		item->setTextColumnLayout(layout, false);
+	}
+}
+
 Scribus171Format::Scribus171Format()
 {
 	// Set action info in languageChange, so we only have to do
@@ -7103,6 +7136,7 @@
 		currItem->m_columns = attrs.valueAsInt("Columns", 1);
 		currItem->m_columnGap = attrs.valueAsDouble("ColumnGap", 0.0);
 	}
+	readCustomTextColumns(currItem, attrs, "CustomColumns", "ColumnWidthRatios", "ColumnGaps");
 	//Remove uppercase in 1.8 format
 	if (attrs.hasAttribute("LAYER") && (attrs.valueAsInt("LAYER", 0) != -1))
 	{
@@ -7924,6 +7958,7 @@
 		PageItem* newItem = item->cellAt(row, col).textFrame();
 		newItem->m_columns = tAtt.valueAsInt("TextColumns", 1);
 		newItem->m_columnGap = tAtt.valueAsDouble("TextColGap", 0.0);
+		readCustomTextColumns(newItem, tAtt, "CustomTextColumns", "TextColumnWidthRatios", "TextColumnGaps");
 		newItem->setTextToFrameDist(tAtt.valueAsDouble("TextDistLeft", 0.0),
 							tAtt.valueAsDouble("TextDistRight", 0.0),
 							tAtt.valueAsDouble("TextDistTop", 0.0),
Index: scribus/plugins/fileloader/scribus171format/scribus171format_save.cpp
===================================================================
--- scribus/plugins/fileloader/scribus171format/scribus171format_save.cpp	(revision 27829)
+++ scribus/plugins/fileloader/scribus171format/scribus171format_save.cpp	(working copy)
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 #include <QList>
 #include <QDataStream>
 #include <QScopedPointer>
+#include <QStringList>
 
 #include "../../formatidlist.h"
 
@@ -49,6 +50,30 @@
 #include "util_color.h"
 #include "util_text.h"
 
+namespace
+{
+	QString serializeDoubleList(const QVector<double>& values)
+	{
+		QStringList result;
+		result.reserve(values.size());
+		for (double value : values)
+			result.append(QString::number(value, 'g', 17));
+		return result.join(QLatin1Char(' '));
+	}
+
+	void writeCustomTextColumns(ScXmlStreamWriter& writer, const PageItem* item,
+								const char* customAttribute, const char* widthsAttribute, const char* gapsAttribute)
+	{
+		const TextColumnLayout layout = item->textColumnLayout();
+		if (!layout.custom)
+			return;
+
+		writer.writeAttribute(customAttribute, 1);
+		writer.writeAttribute(widthsAttribute, serializeDoubleList(layout.widthRatios));
+		writer.writeAttribute(gapsAttribute, serializeDoubleList(layout.gaps));
+	}
+}
+
 QString Scribus171Format::saveElements(double xp, double yp, double wp, double hp, Selection* selection, QByteArray &prevData)
 {
 	ResourceCollection lists;
@@ -2580,6 +2605,7 @@
 					docu.writeAttribute("Style", cell.styleName());
 					docu.writeAttribute("TextColumns", textFrame->columns());
 					docu.writeAttribute("TextColGap", textFrame->columnGap());
+					writeCustomTextColumns(docu, textFrame, "CustomTextColumns", "TextColumnWidthRatios", "TextColumnGaps");
 					docu.writeAttribute("TextDistLeft", textFrame->textToFrameDistLeft());
 					docu.writeAttribute("TextDistTop", textFrame->textToFrameDistTop());
 					docu.writeAttribute("TextDistBottom", textFrame->textToFrameDistBottom());
@@ -2851,6 +2877,7 @@
 	{
 		docu.writeAttribute("Columns", item->columns());
 		docu.writeAttribute("ColumnGap", item->columnGap());
+		writeCustomTextColumns(docu, item, "CustomColumns", "ColumnWidthRatios", "ColumnGaps");
 		docu.writeAttribute("AutomaticTextFrame", item->isAutoText ? 1 : 0);
 		docu.writeAttribute("TextToFrameDistanceLeft", item->textToFrameDistLeft());
 		docu.writeAttribute("TextToFrameDistanceTop", item->textToFrameDistTop());

Index: scribus/CMakeLists_Sources.txt
===================================================================
--- scribus/CMakeLists_Sources.txt	(revision 27829)
+++ scribus/CMakeLists_Sources.txt	(working copy)
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 	)
 endif()
 
+
 if (GMAGICK_FOUND)
 	set(SCRIBUS_GMAGICK_SRC imagedataloaders/scimgdataloader_gmagick.cpp)
 else()
@@ -473,6 +474,7 @@
 	ui/propertywidget_advanced.cpp
 	ui/propertywidget_alignment.cpp
 	ui/propertywidget_distance.cpp
+	ui/textcolumnpreview.cpp
 	ui/propertywidget_paragraphstyle.cpp
 	ui/propertywidget_pareffect.cpp
 	ui/propertywidget_hyphenation.cpp
@@ -626,5 +628,3 @@
 	set(SCRIBUS_WIN32_ONLY_SOURCES)
 	set(SCRIBUS_MAIN_CPP main.cpp)
 endif()
-
-
Index: scribus/ui/propertywidget_distancebase.ui
===================================================================
--- scribus/ui/propertywidget_distancebase.ui	(revision 27829)
+++ scribus/ui/propertywidget_distancebase.ui	(working copy)
@@ -47,13 +47,36 @@
        </property>
       </spacer>
      </item>
-    </layout>
+   </layout>
    </item>
    <item>
-    <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="horizontalLayout">
+    <widget class="QWidget" name="columnControlsWidget" native="true">
+     <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="horizontalLayout">
      <property name="spacing">
-      <number>4</number>
+      <number>8</number>
      </property>
+     <property name="leftMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+     <property name="topMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+     <property name="rightMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+     <property name="bottomMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+     <item>
+      <widget class="FormWidget" name="columnLayoutLabel">
+       <property name="label" stdset="0"><string>&amp;Layout</string></property>
+       <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="columnLayoutControlLayout">
+        <property name="leftMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+        <property name="topMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+        <property name="rightMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+        <property name="bottomMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+        <item>
+         <widget class="QComboBox" name="columnLayout">
+          <property name="sizeAdjustPolicy"><enum>QComboBox::SizeAdjustPolicy::AdjustToContents</enum></property>
+          <item><property name="text"><string>Equal</string></property></item>
+          <item><property name="text"><string>Custom</string></property></item>
+         </widget>
+        </item>
+       </layout>
+      </widget>
+     </item>
      <item>
       <widget class="FormWidget" name="columnsLabel">
        <property name="label" stdset="0">
@@ -89,90 +112,32 @@
       </widget>
      </item>
      <item>
-      <spacer name="horizontalSpacer_4">
-       <property name="orientation">
-        <enum>Qt::Orientation::Horizontal</enum>
-       </property>
-       <property name="sizeType">
-        <enum>QSizePolicy::Policy::Fixed</enum>
-       </property>
-       <property name="sizeHint" stdset="0">
-        <size>
-         <width>8</width>
-         <height>0</height>
-        </size>
-       </property>
-      </spacer>
-     </item>
-     <item>
-      <widget class="FormWidget" name="columnGapLabel">
-       <property name="label" stdset="0">
-        <string/>
-       </property>
-       <property name="preserveLabelSpace">
-        <bool>true</bool>
-       </property>
-       <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="horizontalLayout_8">
-        <property name="leftMargin">
-         <number>0</number>
-        </property>
-        <property name="topMargin">
-         <number>0</number>
-        </property>
-        <property name="rightMargin">
-         <number>0</number>
-        </property>
-        <property name="bottomMargin">
-         <number>0</number>
-        </property>
+      <widget class="FormWidget" name="widthAdjustmentLabel">
+       <property name="label" stdset="0"><string>Width adjustment</string></property>
+       <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="widthAdjustmentLayout">
+        <property name="leftMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+        <property name="topMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+        <property name="rightMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+        <property name="bottomMargin"><number>0</number></property>
         <item>
-         <widget class="QComboBox" name="columnGapCombo">
-          <property name="toolTip">
-           <string>Switches between Gap or Column width</string>
-          </property>
-          <property name="sizeAdjustPolicy">
-           <enum>QComboBox::SizeAdjustPolicy::AdjustToContents</enum>
-          </property>
-          <item>
-           <property name="text">
-            <string>Gap:</string>
-           </property>
-          </item>
-          <item>
-           <property name="text">
-            <string>Width:</string>
-           </property>
-          </item>
+         <widget class="QComboBox" name="widthAdjustment">
+          <property name="sizeAdjustPolicy"><enum>QComboBox::SizeAdjustPolicy::AdjustToContents</enum></property>
+          <item><property name="text"><string>Adjacent</string></property></item>
+          <item><property name="text"><string>All others</string></property></item>
          </widget>
         </item>
        </layout>
       </widget>
      </item>
      <item>
-      <widget class="FormWidget" name="columnGapSizeLabel">
-       <property name="label" stdset="0">
-        <string>Size</string>
-       </property>
-       <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="horizontalLayout_7">
-        <property name="leftMargin">
-         <number>0</number>
-        </property>
-        <property name="topMargin">
-         <number>0</number>
-        </property>
-        <property name="rightMargin">
-         <number>0</number>
-        </property>
-        <property name="bottomMargin">
-         <number>0</number>
-        </property>
-        <item>
-         <widget class="ScrSpinBox" name="columnGap">
-          <property name="toolTip">
-           <string>Distance between columns</string>
-          </property>
-         </widget>
-        </item>
+      <widget class="FormWidget" name="columnGapLabel">
+       <property name="label" stdset="0"><string>Gap</string></property>
+       <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="columnGapLayout">
+        <property name="leftMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+        <property name="topMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+        <property name="rightMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+        <property name="bottomMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+        <item><widget class="ScrSpinBox" name="columnGap"/></item>
        </layout>
       </widget>
      </item>
@@ -189,7 +154,106 @@
        </property>
       </spacer>
      </item>
-    </layout>
+     </layout>
+    </widget>
+   </item>
+   <item>
+    <widget class="TextColumnPreview" name="columnPreview"/>
+   </item>
+   <item>
+    <widget class="QWidget" name="customColumnsWidget" native="true">
+     <layout class="QGridLayout" name="customColumnsLayout">
+      <property name="horizontalSpacing">
+       <number>8</number>
+      </property>
+      <property name="verticalSpacing">
+       <number>4</number>
+      </property>
+      <property name="leftMargin">
+       <number>0</number>
+      </property>
+      <property name="topMargin">
+       <number>0</number>
+      </property>
+      <property name="rightMargin">
+       <number>0</number>
+      </property>
+      <property name="bottomMargin">
+       <number>0</number>
+      </property>
+      <item row="1" column="0">
+       <widget class="FormWidget" name="customColumnLabel">
+        <property name="visible"><bool>false</bool></property>
+        <property name="label" stdset="0">
+         <string>Column</string>
+        </property>
+        <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="customColumnControlLayout">
+         <property name="leftMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+         <property name="topMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+         <property name="rightMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+         <property name="bottomMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+         <item>
+          <widget class="ScrSpinBox" name="customColumn">
+           <property name="minimum"><double>1.000000000000000</double></property>
+	           <property name="decimals"><number>0</number></property>
+          </widget>
+         </item>
+        </layout>
+       </widget>
+      </item>
+      <item row="0" column="0">
+       <widget class="FormWidget" name="customWidthLabel">
+        <property name="label" stdset="0">
+         <string>Width</string>
+        </property>
+        <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="customWidthControlLayout">
+         <property name="leftMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+         <property name="topMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+         <property name="rightMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+         <property name="bottomMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+         <item><widget class="ScrSpinBox" name="customWidth"/></item>
+        </layout>
+       </widget>
+      </item>
+      <item row="0" column="1">
+       <widget class="FormWidget" name="customGapLabel">
+        <property name="label" stdset="0">
+         <string>Gap</string>
+        </property>
+        <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="customGapControlLayout">
+         <property name="leftMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+         <property name="topMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+         <property name="rightMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+         <property name="bottomMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+         <item><widget class="ScrSpinBox" name="customGap"/></item>
+        </layout>
+       </widget>
+      </item>
+      <item row="0" column="2">
+       <widget class="FormWidget" name="equalGapsLabel">
+        <property name="label" stdset="0"><string/></property>
+        <property name="preserveLabelSpace"><bool>true</bool></property>
+        <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="equalGapsLayout">
+         <property name="leftMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+         <property name="topMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+         <property name="rightMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+         <property name="bottomMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+         <item>
+          <widget class="QCheckBox" name="equalGaps">
+           <property name="text"><string>Equal gaps</string></property>
+          </widget>
+         </item>
+        </layout>
+       </widget>
+      </item>
+      <item row="0" column="3">
+       <spacer name="customColumnsSpacer">
+        <property name="orientation"><enum>Qt::Orientation::Horizontal</enum></property>
+        <property name="sizeHint" stdset="0"><size><width>0</width><height>0</height></size></property>
+       </spacer>
+      </item>
+     </layout>
+    </widget>
    </item>
    <item>
     <layout class="QGridLayout" name="gridLayout">
@@ -376,6 +440,11 @@
  </widget>
  <customwidgets>
   <customwidget>
+   <class>TextColumnPreview</class>
+   <extends>QAbstractScrollArea</extends>
+   <header>ui/textcolumnpreview.h</header>
+  </customwidget>
+  <customwidget>
    <class>FormWidget</class>
    <extends>QWidget</extends>
    <header>ui/widgets/form_widget.h</header>
Index: scribus/ui/propertywidget_distance.h
===================================================================
--- scribus/ui/propertywidget_distance.h	(revision 27829)
+++ scribus/ui/propertywidget_distance.h	(working copy)
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 
 class ScribusDoc;
 class ScribusMainWindow;
+class PageItem_TextFrame;
 
 class PropertyWidget_Distance : public QFrame, public Ui::PropertyWidget_DistanceBase,
                                 public PropertyWidgetBase
@@ -31,10 +32,15 @@
 	double m_unitRatio {1.0};
 	int m_unitIndex {SC_PT};
 	PageItem *m_item {nullptr};
+	PageItem_TextFrame *m_columnItem {nullptr};
+	bool m_initializeGapMode {true};
 	ScribusMainWindow* m_ScMW {nullptr};
 
 	void configureWidgets();
 	void setCurrentItem(PageItem *item);
+	PageItem_TextFrame* currentTextFrame() const;
+	void updateColumnControls(PageItem_TextFrame* textItem);
+	void updateTextFrame(PageItem_TextFrame* textItem);
 
 	void changeEvent(QEvent *e) override;
 
@@ -59,7 +65,12 @@
 private slots:
 	void handleColumns();
 	void handleColumnGap();
-	void handleGapSwitch();
+	void handleColumnLayout(int index);
+	void handleCustomColumn();
+	void handlePreviewColumn(int column);
+	void handleCustomWidth();
+	void handleCustomGap();
+	void handleEqualGaps(bool enabled);
 	void handleTabs();
 	void handleTextDistances();
 	void handleIndents();
Index: scribus/ui/propertywidget_distance.cpp
===================================================================
--- scribus/ui/propertywidget_distance.cpp	(revision 27829)
+++ scribus/ui/propertywidget_distance.cpp	(working copy)
@@ -7,6 +7,10 @@
 
 #include "propertywidget_distance.h"
 
+#include <algorithm>
+#include <numeric>
+#include <utility>
+
 #include <QSignalBlocker>
 
 #include "appmodehelper.h"
@@ -18,9 +22,35 @@
 #include "scribus.h"
 #include "scribusapp.h"
 #include "scribusdoc.h"
+#include "scribusview.h"
 #include "selection.h"
+#include "hruler.h"
 #include "tabmanager.h"
 
+namespace
+{
+	bool gapsAreEqual(const QVector<double>& gaps)
+	{
+		if (gaps.size() < 2)
+			return true;
+		for (int i = 1; i < gaps.size(); ++i)
+		{
+			const double tolerance = 1e-7 * qMax(1.0, qMax(qAbs(gaps.at(0)), qAbs(gaps.at(i))));
+			if (qAbs(gaps.at(i) - gaps.at(0)) > tolerance)
+				return false;
+		}
+		return true;
+	}
+
+	double minimumTextColumnWidth(const PageItem_TextFrame* item)
+	{
+		double width = 0.0;
+		for (const TextColumnGeometry& column : item->columnGeometry())
+			width = width == 0.0 ? column.width : qMin(width, column.width);
+		return width;
+	}
+}
+
 PropertyWidget_Distance::PropertyWidget_Distance(QWidget* parent) : QFrame(parent)
 {
 	setupUi(this);
@@ -30,6 +60,24 @@
 	columnGap->setValues(0, 300, 2, 0);
 	columns->setDecimals(0);
 	columns->setSuffix("");
+	customColumn->setValues(1, 3000, 0, 1);
+	customColumn->setSuffix("");
+	customWidth->setValues(0.01, 1000000, 2, 0);
+	customGap->setValues(0, 1000000, 2, 0);
+	customWidth->setToolTip(tr("Width of the selected column"));
+	customGap->setToolTip(tr("Space after the selected column"));
+	customColumnsWidget->setVisible(false);
+	columnPreview->setVisible(false);
+	widthAdjustmentLabel->setVisible(false);
+	equalGaps->setVisible(false);
+	setTabOrder(columnLayout, columns);
+	setTabOrder(columns, widthAdjustment);
+	setTabOrder(widthAdjustment, columnGap);
+	setTabOrder(columnGap, columnPreview);
+	setTabOrder(columnPreview, customWidth);
+	setTabOrder(customWidth, customGap);
+	setTabOrder(customGap, equalGaps);
+	setTabOrder(equalGaps, tabsButton);
 
 	MarginStruct distances;
 
@@ -48,7 +96,7 @@
 	iconSetChange();
 	languageChange();
 
-	columnGapCombo->setCurrentIndex(0);
+	columnLayout->setCurrentIndex(0);
 
 	connect(ScQApp, SIGNAL(iconSetChanged()), this, SLOT(iconSetChange()));
 	connect(ScQApp, SIGNAL(localeChanged()), this, SLOT(localeChange()));
@@ -88,6 +136,9 @@
 
 	columns->setDecimals(0);
 	columnGap->setDecimals(2);
+	customColumn->setDecimals(0);
+	customWidth->setDecimals(2);
+	customGap->setDecimals(2);
 
 	connect(m_doc->m_Selection, SIGNAL(selectionChanged()), this, SLOT(handleSelectionChanged()));
 	connect(m_doc             , SIGNAL(docChanged())      , this, SLOT(handleSelectionChanged()));
@@ -136,25 +187,18 @@
 	if (m_doc->appMode == modeEditTable)
 		textItem = m_item->asTable()->activeCell().textFrame();
 	if (!textItem) return;
+	if (textItem != m_columnItem)
+	{
+		m_columnItem = textItem;
+		m_initializeGapMode = true;
+		customColumn->setValue(1);
+	}
 
 	ParagraphStyle parStyle =  m_item->itemText.defaultStyle();
 	if (m_doc->appMode == modeEdit || m_doc->appMode == modeEditTable)
 		m_item->currentTextProps(parStyle);
 
-	//#14427: columns->setMaximum(qMax(qRound(textItem->width() / qMax(textItem->ColGap, 10.0)), 1));
-	columns->setMinimum(1);
-	columns->setValue(textItem->m_columns);
-	columnGap->setMinimum(0);
-	if (columnGapCombo->currentIndex() == 0)
-	{
-		columnGap->setMaximum(qMax((textItem->width() / textItem->m_columns - textItem->textToFrameDistLeft() - textItem->textToFrameDistRight()) * m_unitRatio, 0.0));
-		columnGap->setValue(textItem->m_columnGap * m_unitRatio);
-	}
-	else
-	{
-		columnGap->setMaximum(qMax((textItem->width() / textItem->m_columns) * m_unitRatio, 0.0));
-		columnGap->setValue(textItem->columnWidth() * m_unitRatio);
-	}
+	updateColumnControls(textItem);
 
 	MarginStruct distances;
 	distances.set(
@@ -167,9 +211,6 @@
 	distanceWidget->setPageWidth(m_item->width());
 	distanceWidget->setNewValues(distances);
 
-	columnGapLabel->setVisible(columns->value() != 1);
-	columnGapSizeLabel->setVisible(columns->value() != 1);
-
 	updateStyle(parStyle);
 
 	connectSignals();
@@ -179,7 +220,13 @@
 {
 	connect(columns       , SIGNAL(valueChanged(double))   , this, SLOT(handleColumns()), Qt::UniqueConnection);
 	connect(columnGap     , SIGNAL(valueChanged(double)), this, SLOT(handleColumnGap()), Qt::UniqueConnection);
-	connect(columnGapCombo, SIGNAL(activated(int))      , this, SLOT(handleGapSwitch()), Qt::UniqueConnection);
+	connect(columnLayout  , SIGNAL(activated(int))      , this, SLOT(handleColumnLayout(int)), Qt::UniqueConnection);
+	connect(customColumn  , SIGNAL(valueChanged(double)), this, SLOT(handleCustomColumn()), Qt::UniqueConnection);
+	connect(columnPreview , SIGNAL(selectedColumnChanged(int)), this, SLOT(handlePreviewColumn(int)), Qt::UniqueConnection);
+	connect(customWidth   , SIGNAL(valueChanged(double)), this, SLOT(handleCustomWidth()), Qt::UniqueConnection);
+	connect(customGap     , SIGNAL(valueChanged(double)), this, SLOT(handleCustomGap()), Qt::UniqueConnection);
+	connect(equalGaps     , SIGNAL(toggled(bool))        , this, SLOT(handleEqualGaps(bool)), Qt::UniqueConnection);
+	connect(widthAdjustment, SIGNAL(activated(int))      , this, SLOT(handleCustomColumn()), Qt::UniqueConnection);
 	connect(distanceWidget, SIGNAL(valuesChanged(MarginStruct)), this, SLOT(handleTextDistances()), Qt::UniqueConnection);
 	connect(tabsButton    , SIGNAL(clicked())           , this, SLOT(handleTabs()), Qt::UniqueConnection);
 	connect(firstLineIndentSpin, SIGNAL(valueChanged(double)), this, SLOT(handleIndents()), Qt::UniqueConnection);
@@ -194,7 +241,13 @@
 {
 	disconnect(columns       , SIGNAL(valueChanged(double))   , this, SLOT(handleColumns()));
 	disconnect(columnGap     , SIGNAL(valueChanged(double)), this, SLOT(handleColumnGap()));
-	disconnect(columnGapCombo, SIGNAL(activated(int))      , this, SLOT(handleGapSwitch()));
+	disconnect(columnLayout  , SIGNAL(activated(int))      , this, SLOT(handleColumnLayout(int)));
+	disconnect(customColumn  , SIGNAL(valueChanged(double)), this, SLOT(handleCustomColumn()));
+	disconnect(columnPreview , SIGNAL(selectedColumnChanged(int)), this, SLOT(handlePreviewColumn(int)));
+	disconnect(customWidth   , SIGNAL(valueChanged(double)), this, SLOT(handleCustomWidth()));
+	disconnect(customGap     , SIGNAL(valueChanged(double)), this, SLOT(handleCustomGap()));
+	disconnect(equalGaps     , SIGNAL(toggled(bool))        , this, SLOT(handleEqualGaps(bool)));
+	disconnect(widthAdjustment, SIGNAL(activated(int))      , this, SLOT(handleCustomColumn()));
 	disconnect(distanceWidget, SIGNAL(valuesChanged(MarginStruct)), this, SLOT(handleTextDistances()));
 	disconnect(tabsButton    , SIGNAL(clicked())           , this, SLOT(handleTabs()));
 	disconnect(firstLineIndentSpin, SIGNAL(valueChanged(double)), this, SLOT(handleIndents()));
@@ -221,12 +274,127 @@
 			int numCols = textItem->m_columns;
 			
 			columnGapLabel->setVisible(numCols != 1);
-			columnGapSizeLabel->setVisible(numCols != 1);
 		}
 	}
 	setEnabled(enabled);
 }
 
+PageItem_TextFrame* PropertyWidget_Distance::currentTextFrame() const
+{
+	if (!m_item || !m_doc)
+		return nullptr;
+	if (m_doc->appMode == modeEditTable && m_item->isTable())
+		return m_item->asTable()->activeCell().textFrame();
+	return m_item->asTextFrame();
+}
+
+void PropertyWidget_Distance::updateColumnControls(PageItem_TextFrame* textItem)
+{
+	if (!textItem)
+		return;
+
+	QSignalBlocker columnsBlocker(columns);
+	QSignalBlocker gapBlocker(columnGap);
+	QSignalBlocker layoutBlocker(columnLayout);
+	QSignalBlocker customColumnBlocker(customColumn);
+	QSignalBlocker customWidthBlocker(customWidth);
+	QSignalBlocker customGapBlocker(customGap);
+	QSignalBlocker equalGapsBlocker(equalGaps);
+
+	const TextColumnLayout layout = textItem->textColumnLayout();
+	const bool custom = layout.custom && layout.columnCount > 1;
+	const int columnCount = qMax(1, layout.columnCount);
+	const int column = qBound(0, static_cast<int>(customColumn->value()) - 1, columnCount - 1);
+
+	columns->setMinimum(1);
+	columns->setValue(columnCount);
+	columnLayout->setCurrentIndex(custom ? 1 : 0);
+	columnLayout->setEnabled(columnCount > 1);
+
+	columnGap->setMinimum(0);
+	columnGap->setMaximum(qMax((textItem->width() / columnCount - textItem->textToFrameDistLeft() - textItem->textToFrameDistRight()) * m_unitRatio, 0.0));
+	columnGap->setValue(layout.columnGap * m_unitRatio);
+
+	customColumn->setMaximum(columnCount);
+	customColumn->setValue(column + 1);
+	const QVector<TextColumnGeometry> geometry = textItem->columnGeometry();
+	QVector<double> effectiveWidths;
+	QVector<double> effectiveGaps;
+	for (const TextColumnGeometry& value : geometry)
+		effectiveWidths.append(value.width);
+	for (int i = 0; i + 1 < geometry.size(); ++i)
+		effectiveGaps.append(qMax(0.0, geometry.at(i + 1).left - geometry.at(i).left - geometry.at(i).width));
+	if (m_initializeGapMode)
+	{
+		equalGaps->setChecked(gapsAreEqual(effectiveGaps));
+		m_initializeGapMode = false;
+	}
+	else if (equalGaps->isChecked() && !gapsAreEqual(effectiveGaps))
+		equalGaps->setChecked(false);
+	columnPreview->setGeometry(effectiveWidths, effectiveGaps);
+	columnPreview->setSelectedColumn(column);
+	columnPreview->setEqualGaps(equalGaps->isChecked());
+	if (column < geometry.size())
+	{
+		const int neighbour = (column + 1 < columnCount) ? column + 1 : column - 1;
+		double maximumWidth = geometry.at(column).width;
+		if (widthAdjustment->currentIndex() == 1)
+		{
+			for (int i = 0; i < geometry.size(); ++i)
+				if (i != column)
+					maximumWidth += qMax(0.0, geometry.at(i).width - 0.01);
+		}
+		else if (neighbour >= 0)
+			maximumWidth += qMax(0.0, geometry.at(neighbour).width - 0.01);
+		customWidth->setMaximum(qMax(0.01, maximumWidth) * m_unitRatio);
+		customWidth->setValue(geometry.at(column).width * m_unitRatio);
+	}
+	const bool editEqualGaps = custom && equalGaps->isChecked() && !effectiveGaps.isEmpty();
+	customGap->setEnabled(custom && (column < columnCount - 1 || editEqualGaps));
+	customGap->setToolTip(editEqualGaps ? tr("Space between all columns")
+		: (column < columnCount - 1 ? tr("Space after the selected column")
+		: tr("The last column has no following gap")));
+	if (editEqualGaps)
+	{
+		const double contentWidth = std::accumulate(effectiveWidths.cbegin(), effectiveWidths.cend(), 0.0)
+			+ std::accumulate(effectiveGaps.cbegin(), effectiveGaps.cend(), 0.0);
+		customGap->setMaximum(qMax(0.0, (contentWidth - 0.01 * columnCount) / effectiveGaps.size()) * m_unitRatio);
+	}
+	if (custom && column < effectiveGaps.size() && column + 1 < geometry.size())
+	{
+		if (!editEqualGaps)
+			customGap->setMaximum((effectiveGaps.at(column) + qMax(0.0, geometry.at(column + 1).width - 0.01)) * m_unitRatio);
+		customGap->setValue(effectiveGaps.at(column) * m_unitRatio);
+	}
+	else
+		customGap->setValue(0.0);
+	if (editEqualGaps && column >= effectiveGaps.size())
+		customGap->setValue(effectiveGaps.constFirst() * m_unitRatio);
+
+	columnGapLabel->setVisible(!custom && columnCount > 1);
+	customColumnsWidget->setVisible(custom);
+	columnPreview->setVisible(custom);
+	widthAdjustmentLabel->setVisible(custom);
+	widthAdjustment->setEnabled(columnCount > 2);
+	equalGaps->setVisible(custom && columnCount > 2);
+}
+
+void PropertyWidget_Distance::updateTextFrame(PageItem_TextFrame* textItem)
+{
+	if (!textItem)
+		return;
+	updateColumnControls(textItem);
+	textItem->update();
+	if (m_doc->appMode == modeEditTable)
+		m_item->asTable()->update();
+	if (m_ScMW->view && m_doc->inAnEditMode())
+	{
+		m_ScMW->view->horizRuler->setItem(textItem);
+		m_ScMW->view->horizRuler->update();
+	}
+	m_doc->regionsChanged()->update(QRect());
+}
+
 void PropertyWidget_Distance::handleAppModeChanged(int oldMode, int mode)
 {
 	if (oldMode == modeEditTable || mode == modeEditTable)
@@ -255,6 +423,9 @@
 	IconManager &im = IconManager::instance();
 
 	columnsLabel->setPixmap(im.loadPixmap("paragraph-columns"));
+	columnGapLabel->setPixmap(im.loadPixmap("paragraph-column-gap"));
+	customWidthLabel->setPixmap(im.loadPixmap("scale-width"));
+	customGapLabel->setPixmap(im.loadPixmap("paragraph-column-gap"));
 	firstLineIndentLabel->setPixmap(im.loadPixmap("paragraph-indent-firstline"));
 	leftIndentLabel->setPixmap(im.loadPixmap("paragraph-indent-left"));
 	rightIndentLabel->setPixmap(im.loadPixmap("paragraph-indent-right"));
@@ -262,47 +433,68 @@
 	gapAfterLabel->setPixmap(im.loadPixmap("paragraph-space-below") );
 }
 
-void PropertyWidget_Distance::showColumns(int r, double g)
+void PropertyWidget_Distance::showColumns(int /*columnCount*/, double /*columnGapValue*/)
 {
 	if (!m_ScMW || m_ScMW->scriptIsRunning())
 		return;
+	if (PageItem_TextFrame* textItem = currentTextFrame())
+		updateColumnControls(textItem);
+}
+
+void PropertyWidget_Distance::handleColumns()
+{
+	if (!m_doc || !m_item || !m_ScMW || m_ScMW->scriptIsRunning())
+		return;
 
-	bool cSigWasBlocked    = columns->blockSignals(true);
-	bool cGapSigWasBlocked = columnGap->blockSignals(true);
+	PageItem_TextFrame* textItem = currentTextFrame();
+	if (!textItem)
+		return;
 
-	columns->setValue(r);
-	columnGap->setValue(g * m_unitRatio);
-	if (m_item)
+	const int newCount = qMax(1, static_cast<int>(columns->value()));
+	TextColumnLayout layout = textItem->textColumnLayout();
+	if (!layout.custom)
+		textItem->setColumns(newCount);
+	else if (newCount == 1)
+	{
+		layout.columnCount = 1;
+		layout.custom = false;
+		layout.widthRatios.clear();
+		layout.gaps.clear();
+		textItem->setTextColumnLayout(layout);
+	}
+	else if (newCount > layout.columnCount)
 	{
-		PageItem_TextFrame *textItem = m_item->asTextFrame();
-		if (m_doc->appMode == modeEditTable)
-			textItem = m_item->asTable()->activeCell().textFrame();
-
-		if (textItem != nullptr)
+		while (layout.columnCount < newCount)
 		{
-//#14427: columns->setMaximum(qMax(qRound(textItem->width() / qMax(textItem->ColGap, 10.0)), 1));
-			if (columnGapCombo->currentIndex() == 0)
-			{
-				columnGap->setMaximum(qMax((textItem->width() / textItem->m_columns - textItem->textToFrameDistLeft() - textItem->textToFrameDistRight()) * m_unitRatio, 0.0));
-				columnGap->setValue(textItem->m_columnGap * m_unitRatio);
-			}
-			else
+			const int oldCount = layout.columnCount;
+			const double newShare = 1.0 / (oldCount + 1.0);
+			for (double& ratio : layout.widthRatios)
+				ratio *= 1.0 - newShare;
+			layout.widthRatios.append(newShare);
+			double averageGap = layout.columnGap;
+			if (!layout.gaps.isEmpty())
 			{
-				columnGap->setMaximum(qMax((textItem->width() / textItem->m_columns) * m_unitRatio, 0.0));
-				columnGap->setValue(textItem->columnWidth() * m_unitRatio);
+				averageGap = 0.0;
+				for (double gap : std::as_const(layout.gaps))
+					averageGap += gap;
+				averageGap /= layout.gaps.size();
 			}
+			layout.gaps.append(averageGap);
+			layout.columnCount++;
 		}
+		textItem->setTextColumnLayout(layout);
 	}
-	columns->setMinimum(1);
-	columnGap->setMinimum(0);
-	columnGapLabel->setVisible(columns->value() != 1);
-	columnGapSizeLabel->setVisible(columns->value() != 1);
-
-	columns->blockSignals(cSigWasBlocked);
-	columnGap->blockSignals(cGapSigWasBlocked);
+	else if (newCount < layout.columnCount)
+	{
+		layout.columnCount = newCount;
+		layout.widthRatios.resize(newCount);
+		layout.gaps.resize(newCount - 1);
+		textItem->setTextColumnLayout(layout);
+	}
+	updateTextFrame(textItem);
 }
 
-void PropertyWidget_Distance::handleColumns()
+void PropertyWidget_Distance::handleColumnGap()
 {
 	if (!m_doc || !m_item || !m_ScMW || m_ScMW->scriptIsRunning())
 		return;
@@ -310,59 +502,199 @@
 	PageItem *textItem = m_item;
 	if (m_doc->appMode == modeEditTable)
 		textItem = m_item->asTable()->activeCell().textFrame();
+	if (!textItem)
+		return;
 
-	if (textItem)
-	{
-		textItem->setColumns(static_cast<int>(columns->value()));
-		showColumns(textItem->m_columns, textItem->m_columnGap);
-		textItem->update();
-		if (m_doc->appMode == modeEditTable)
-			m_item->asTable()->update();
-		m_doc->regionsChanged()->update(QRect());
-	}
+	textItem->setColumnGap(columnGap->value() / m_unitRatio);
+	updateTextFrame(textItem->asTextFrame());
 }
 
-void PropertyWidget_Distance::handleColumnGap()
+void PropertyWidget_Distance::handleColumnLayout(int index)
 {
 	if (!m_doc || !m_item || !m_ScMW || m_ScMW->scriptIsRunning())
 		return;
-
-	PageItem *textItem = m_item;
-	if (m_doc->appMode == modeEditTable)
-		textItem = m_item->asTable()->activeCell().textFrame();
-	if (!textItem)
+	PageItem_TextFrame* textItem = currentTextFrame();
+	if (!textItem || textItem->columns() < 2)
 		return;
 
-	if (columnGapCombo->currentIndex() == 0)
-		textItem->setColumnGap(columnGap->value() / m_unitRatio);
-	else
+	TextColumnLayout layout = textItem->textColumnLayout();
+	if (index == 1 && !layout.custom)
 	{
-		double lineCorr=0.0;
-		if ((textItem->lineColor() != CommonStrings::None) || (!textItem->strokePattern().isEmpty()))
-			lineCorr = textItem->lineWidth();
-		double newWidth = columnGap->value() / m_unitRatio;
-		double newGap = qMax(((textItem->width() - textItem->textToFrameDistLeft() - textItem->textToFrameDistRight() - lineCorr) - (newWidth * textItem->m_columns)) / (textItem->m_columns - 1), 0.0);
-		textItem->setColumnGap(newGap);
+		const QVector<TextColumnGeometry> geometry = textItem->columnGeometry();
+		double widthTotal = 0.0;
+		for (const TextColumnGeometry& column : geometry)
+			widthTotal += column.width;
+		if (widthTotal <= 0.0)
+		{
+			updateColumnControls(textItem);
+			return;
+		}
+		layout.custom = true;
+		layout.widthRatios.clear();
+		layout.gaps.clear();
+		for (const TextColumnGeometry& column : geometry)
+			layout.widthRatios.append(column.width / widthTotal);
+		for (int column = 1; column < layout.columnCount; ++column)
+			layout.gaps.append(layout.columnGap);
 	}
-	textItem->update();
-	if (m_doc->appMode == modeEditTable)
-		m_item->asTable()->update();
-	m_doc->regionsChanged()->update(QRect());
+	else if (index == 0 && layout.custom)
+	{
+		if (!layout.gaps.isEmpty())
+		{
+			layout.columnGap = 0.0;
+			for (double gap : std::as_const(layout.gaps))
+				layout.columnGap += gap;
+			layout.columnGap /= layout.gaps.size();
+		}
+		layout.custom = false;
+		layout.widthRatios.clear();
+		layout.gaps.clear();
+	}
+	textItem->setTextColumnLayout(layout);
+	updateTextFrame(textItem);
 }
 
-void PropertyWidget_Distance::handleGapSwitch()
+void PropertyWidget_Distance::handleCustomColumn()
 {
-	if (!m_doc || !m_item || !m_ScMW || m_ScMW->scriptIsRunning())
+	if (PageItem_TextFrame* textItem = currentTextFrame())
+		updateColumnControls(textItem);
+}
+
+void PropertyWidget_Distance::handlePreviewColumn(int column)
+{
+	QSignalBlocker blocker(customColumn);
+	customColumn->setValue(column + 1);
+	if (PageItem_TextFrame* textItem = currentTextFrame())
+		updateColumnControls(textItem);
+}
+
+void PropertyWidget_Distance::handleCustomWidth()
+{
+	PageItem_TextFrame* textItem = currentTextFrame();
+	if (!textItem || !textItem->hasCustomTextColumns())
 		return;
 
-	const PageItem *textItem = m_item;
-	if (m_doc->appMode == modeEditTable)
-		textItem = m_item->asTable()->activeCell().textFrame();
-	if (textItem != nullptr)
-		showColumns(textItem->m_columns, textItem->m_columnGap);
+	TextColumnLayout layout = textItem->textColumnLayout();
+	const int column = qBound(0, static_cast<int>(customColumn->value()) - 1, layout.columnCount - 1);
+	const int neighbour = (column + 1 < layout.columnCount) ? column + 1 : column - 1;
+	if (neighbour < 0)
+		return;
 
-	int index = columnGapCombo->currentIndex();
-	columnGap->setToolTip((index == 0) ? tr( "Distance between columns" ) : tr( "Column width" ));
+	const QVector<TextColumnGeometry> geometry = textItem->columnGeometry();
+	QVector<double> widths;
+	QVector<double> gaps;
+	widths.reserve(geometry.size());
+	for (const TextColumnGeometry& value : geometry)
+		widths.append(value.width);
+	for (int i = 0; i + 1 < geometry.size(); ++i)
+		gaps.append(qMax(0.0, geometry.at(i + 1).left - geometry.at(i).left - geometry.at(i).width));
+	layout.gaps = gaps;
+	if (widthAdjustment->currentIndex() == 1 && widths.size() > 2)
+	{
+		double widthTotal = 0.0;
+		for (double width : std::as_const(widths))
+			widthTotal += width;
+		const double newWidth = qBound(0.01, customWidth->value() / m_unitRatio,
+			qMax(0.01, widthTotal - 0.01 * (widths.size() - 1)));
+		const double otherWidth = (widthTotal - newWidth) / (widths.size() - 1);
+		for (int i = 0; i < widths.size(); ++i)
+			widths[i] = (i == column) ? newWidth : otherWidth;
+	}
+	else
+	{
+		const double available = widths.at(column) + widths.at(neighbour);
+		const double newWidth = qBound(0.01, customWidth->value() / m_unitRatio, qMax(0.01, available - 0.01));
+		widths[neighbour] = available - newWidth;
+		widths[column] = newWidth;
+	}
+	double widthTotal = 0.0;
+	for (double width : std::as_const(widths))
+		widthTotal += width;
+	for (int i = 0; i < widths.size(); ++i)
+		layout.widthRatios[i] = widths.at(i) / widthTotal;
+	textItem->setTextColumnLayout(layout);
+	updateTextFrame(textItem);
+}
+
+void PropertyWidget_Distance::handleCustomGap()
+{
+	PageItem_TextFrame* textItem = currentTextFrame();
+	if (!textItem || !textItem->hasCustomTextColumns())
+		return;
+
+	TextColumnLayout layout = textItem->textColumnLayout();
+	const int column = qBound(0, static_cast<int>(customColumn->value()) - 1, layout.columnCount - 1);
+	if (column >= layout.gaps.size() && !equalGaps->isChecked())
+		return;
+
+	const QVector<TextColumnGeometry> geometry = textItem->columnGeometry();
+	QVector<double> widths;
+	QVector<double> gaps;
+	widths.reserve(geometry.size());
+	for (const TextColumnGeometry& value : geometry)
+		widths.append(value.width);
+	for (int i = 0; i + 1 < geometry.size(); ++i)
+		gaps.append(qMax(0.0, geometry.at(i + 1).left - geometry.at(i).left - geometry.at(i).width));
+	layout.gaps = gaps;
+	if (equalGaps->isChecked())
+	{
+		double widthTotal = 0.0;
+		for (double width : std::as_const(widths))
+			widthTotal += width;
+		for (int i = 0; i < widths.size(); ++i)
+			layout.widthRatios[i] = widths.at(i) / widthTotal;
+		const double contentWidth = widthTotal + std::accumulate(gaps.cbegin(), gaps.cend(), 0.0);
+		const double maximumGap = qMax(0.0, (contentWidth - 0.01 * widths.size()) / gaps.size());
+		const double newGap = qBound(0.0, customGap->value() / m_unitRatio, maximumGap);
+		std::fill(layout.gaps.begin(), layout.gaps.end(), newGap);
+		textItem->setTextColumnLayout(layout);
+		updateTextFrame(textItem);
+		return;
+	}
+	const double oldGap = layout.gaps.at(column);
+	const double newGap = qBound(0.0, customGap->value() / m_unitRatio,
+		oldGap + qMax(0.0, widths.at(column + 1) - 0.01));
+	widths[column + 1] -= newGap - oldGap;
+	layout.gaps[column] = newGap;
+	double widthTotal = 0.0;
+	for (double width : std::as_const(widths))
+		widthTotal += width;
+	for (int i = 0; i < widths.size(); ++i)
+		layout.widthRatios[i] = widths.at(i) / widthTotal;
+	textItem->setTextColumnLayout(layout);
+	updateTextFrame(textItem);
+}
+
+void PropertyWidget_Distance::handleEqualGaps(bool enabled)
+{
+	PageItem_TextFrame* textItem = currentTextFrame();
+	if (!textItem || !textItem->hasCustomTextColumns())
+		return;
+	if (!enabled)
+	{
+		updateColumnControls(textItem);
+		return;
+	}
+
+	TextColumnLayout layout = textItem->textColumnLayout();
+	const QVector<TextColumnGeometry> geometry = textItem->columnGeometry();
+	if (geometry.size() < 3)
+		return;
+	QVector<double> widths;
+	QVector<double> gaps;
+	for (const TextColumnGeometry& value : geometry)
+		widths.append(value.width);
+	for (int i = 0; i + 1 < geometry.size(); ++i)
+		gaps.append(qMax(0.0, geometry.at(i + 1).left - geometry.at(i).left - geometry.at(i).width));
+	const int column = qBound(0, static_cast<int>(customColumn->value()) - 1, static_cast<int>(geometry.size()) - 1);
+	const double gap = gaps.at(qMin(column, static_cast<int>(gaps.size()) - 1));
+	std::fill(gaps.begin(), gaps.end(), gap);
+	double widthTotal = std::accumulate(widths.cbegin(), widths.cend(), 0.0);
+	for (int i = 0; i < widths.size(); ++i)
+		layout.widthRatios[i] = widths.at(i) / widthTotal;
+	layout.gaps = gaps;
+	textItem->setTextColumnLayout(layout);
+	updateTextFrame(textItem);
 }
 
 void PropertyWidget_Distance::handleTabs()
@@ -374,7 +706,7 @@
 	if (tItem == nullptr)
 		return;
 	const ParagraphStyle& style(m_doc->appMode == modeEdit ? tItem->currentStyle() : tItem->itemText.defaultStyle());
-	TabManager *dia = new TabManager(this, m_doc->unitIndex(), style.tabValues(), tItem->columnWidth());
+	TabManager *dia = new TabManager(this, m_doc->unitIndex(), style.tabValues(), minimumTextColumnWidth(tItem));
 	if (dia->exec())
 	{
 		if (m_doc->appMode != modeEdit)
@@ -467,17 +799,12 @@
 {
 	retranslateUi(this);
 
-	QSignalBlocker columnGapLabelBlocker(columnGapCombo);
-	int oldColGapLabel = columnGapCombo->currentIndex();
-	columnGapCombo->clear();
-	columnGapCombo->addItem( tr("Gap:"));
-	columnGapCombo->addItem( tr("Width:"));
-	columnGapCombo->setCurrentIndex(oldColGapLabel);
-
 	QString ptSuffix = tr(" pt");
 	QString suffix = (m_doc) ? unitGetSuffixFromIndex(m_doc->unitIndex()) : ptSuffix;
 
 	columnGap->setSuffix(suffix);
+	customWidth->setSuffix(suffix);
+	customGap->setSuffix(suffix);
 	firstLineIndentSpin->setSuffix(suffix);
 	leftIndentSpin->setSuffix(suffix);
 	rightIndentSpin->setSuffix(suffix);
@@ -489,6 +816,21 @@
 	leftIndentLabel->setToolTip(leftIndentSpin->toolTip());
 	rightIndentLabel->setToolTip(rightIndentSpin->toolTip());
 	tabsButton->setToolTip(tr("Edit tab settings of text frame..."));
+	columnLayout->setToolTip(tr("Use equal or individually sized columns"));
+	columnLayoutLabel->setToolTip(columnLayout->toolTip());
+	widthAdjustment->setToolTip(tr("How width changes are distributed"));
+	widthAdjustment->setItemData(0, tr("Take or return space from the adjacent column"), Qt::ToolTipRole);
+	widthAdjustment->setItemData(1, tr("Divide the remaining width equally among all other columns"), Qt::ToolTipRole);
+	widthAdjustmentLabel->setToolTip(widthAdjustment->toolTip());
+	equalGaps->setToolTip(tr("Use the selected gap value between all columns"));
+	columnGap->setToolTip(tr("Space between columns"));
+	columnGapLabel->setToolTip(columnGap->toolTip());
+	customColumn->setToolTip(tr("Physical column to edit, numbered from left to right"));
+	customColumnLabel->setToolTip(customColumn->toolTip());
+	customWidth->setToolTip(tr("Width of the selected column"));
+	customWidthLabel->setToolTip(customWidth->toolTip());
+	customGap->setToolTip(tr("Space after the selected column"));
+	customGapLabel->setToolTip(customGap->toolTip());
 	gapBeforeLabel->setToolTip(tr("Space above a paragraph"));
 	gapAfterLabel->setToolTip(tr("Space below a paragraph"));
 }
@@ -498,8 +840,10 @@
 	if (!m_doc)
 		return;
 
 	QSignalBlocker columnGapBlocker(columnGap);
+	QSignalBlocker customWidthBlocker(customWidth);
+	QSignalBlocker customGapBlocker(customGap);
 	QSignalBlocker distancesBlocker(distanceWidget);
 	QSignalBlocker numberFirstLineIndentBlocker(firstLineIndentSpin);
 	QSignalBlocker numberLeftIndentBlocker(leftIndentSpin);
 	QSignalBlocker numberRightIndentBlocker(rightIndentSpin);
@@ -508,6 +852,8 @@
 	m_unitIndex = m_doc->unitIndex();
 
 	columnGap->setNewUnit(m_unitIndex);
+	customWidth->setNewUnit(m_unitIndex);
+	customGap->setNewUnit(m_unitIndex);
 	distanceWidget->setNewUnit(m_unitIndex);
 	firstLineIndentSpin->setNewUnit(m_unitIndex);
 	leftIndentSpin->setNewUnit(m_unitIndex);
@@ -518,6 +862,9 @@
 {
 	const QLocale& l(LocaleManager::instance().userPreferredLocale());
 	columnGap->setLocale(l);
+	customColumn->setLocale(l);
+	customWidth->setLocale(l);
+	customGap->setLocale(l);
 	distanceWidget->setLocale(l);
 	firstLineIndentSpin->setLocale(l);
 	leftIndentSpin->setLocale(l);
@@ -528,9 +875,14 @@
 
 void PropertyWidget_Distance::toggleLabelVisibility(bool v)
 {
-	columnGapSizeLabel->setLabelVisibility(v);
 	columnGapLabel->setLabelVisibility(v);
 	columnsLabel->setLabelVisibility(v);
+	columnLayoutLabel->setLabelVisibility(v);
+	widthAdjustmentLabel->setLabelVisibility(v);
+	customColumnLabel->setLabelVisibility(v);
+	customWidthLabel->setLabelVisibility(v);
+	customGapLabel->setLabelVisibility(v);
+	equalGapsLabel->setLabelVisibility(v);
 	firstLineIndentLabel->setLabelVisibility(v);
 	leftIndentLabel->setLabelVisibility(v);
 	rightIndentLabel->setLabelVisibility(v);
Index: scribus/ui/textcolumnpreview.h
===================================================================
--- scribus/ui/textcolumnpreview.h	(nonexistent)
+++ scribus/ui/textcolumnpreview.h	(working copy)
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+#ifndef TEXTCOLUMNPREVIEW_H
+#define TEXTCOLUMNPREVIEW_H
+
+#include <QAbstractScrollArea>
+#include <QVector>
+
+#include "scribusapi.h"
+
+class SCRIBUS_API TextColumnPreview : public QAbstractScrollArea
+{
+	Q_OBJECT
+
+public:
+	explicit TextColumnPreview(QWidget* parent = nullptr);
+	void setGeometry(const QVector<double>& widths, const QVector<double>& gaps);
+	int selectedColumn() const { return m_selectedColumn; }
+	void setSelectedColumn(int column);
+	void setEqualGaps(bool enabled);
+
+signals:
+	void selectedColumnChanged(int column);
+
+protected:
+	void keyPressEvent(QKeyEvent* event) override;
+	void mousePressEvent(QMouseEvent* event) override;
+	void mouseMoveEvent(QMouseEvent* event) override;
+	void leaveEvent(QEvent* event) override;
+	void paintEvent(QPaintEvent* event) override;
+	void resizeEvent(QResizeEvent* event) override;
+	void wheelEvent(QWheelEvent* event) override;
+
+private:
+	void updateScrollBar();
+	QRectF columnRect(int column) const;
+	int columnAt(const QPointF& position) const;
+	double contentScale() const;
+	int contentWidth() const;
+
+	QVector<double> m_widths;
+	QVector<double> m_gaps;
+	int m_selectedColumn { 0 };
+	int m_hoveredColumn { -1 };
+	bool m_equalGaps {false};
+};
+
+#endif
Index: scribus/ui/textcolumnpreview.cpp
===================================================================
--- scribus/ui/textcolumnpreview.cpp	(nonexistent)
+++ scribus/ui/textcolumnpreview.cpp	(working copy)
@@ -0,0 +1,183 @@
+#include "textcolumnpreview.h"
+
+#include <QKeyEvent>
+#include <QMouseEvent>
+#include <QPainter>
+#include <QScrollBar>
+#include <QWheelEvent>
+
+TextColumnPreview::TextColumnPreview(QWidget* parent) : QAbstractScrollArea(parent)
+{
+	setFocusPolicy(Qt::StrongFocus);
+	setMouseTracking(true);
+	setFrameShape(QFrame::StyledPanel);
+	setHorizontalScrollBarPolicy(Qt::ScrollBarAsNeeded);
+	setVerticalScrollBarPolicy(Qt::ScrollBarAlwaysOff);
+	setMinimumHeight(58);
+	setAccessibleName(tr("Column layout preview"));
+}
+
+void TextColumnPreview::setEqualGaps(bool enabled)
+{
+	if (m_equalGaps == enabled)
+		return;
+	m_equalGaps = enabled;
+	viewport()->update();
+}
+
+void TextColumnPreview::setGeometry(const QVector<double>& widths, const QVector<double>& gaps)
+{
+	m_widths = widths;
+	m_gaps = gaps;
+	m_selectedColumn = qBound(0, m_selectedColumn, qMax(0, m_widths.size() - 1));
+	updateScrollBar();
+	viewport()->update();
+}
+
+void TextColumnPreview::setSelectedColumn(int column)
+{
+	column = qBound(0, column, qMax(0, m_widths.size() - 1));
+	const bool changed = column != m_selectedColumn;
+	m_selectedColumn = column;
+	setAccessibleDescription(tr("Column %1 of %2 selected").arg(column + 1).arg(m_widths.size()));
+	const QRectF rect = columnRect(column);
+	horizontalScrollBar()->setValue(qBound(horizontalScrollBar()->minimum(),
+		static_cast<int>(rect.center().x() - viewport()->width() / 2.0), horizontalScrollBar()->maximum()));
+	viewport()->update();
+	if (changed)
+		emit selectedColumnChanged(column);
+}
+
+int TextColumnPreview::contentWidth() const
+{
+	return qMax(viewport()->width() - 12, m_widths.size() * 32);
+}
+
+double TextColumnPreview::contentScale() const
+{
+	double total = 0.0;
+	for (double width : m_widths) total += width;
+	for (double gap : m_gaps) total += gap;
+	return total > 0.0 ? contentWidth() / total : 1.0;
+}
+
+QRectF TextColumnPreview::columnRect(int column) const
+{
+	double x = 6.0 - horizontalScrollBar()->value();
+	const double scale = contentScale();
+	for (int i = 0; i < column; ++i)
+		x += (m_widths.value(i) + m_gaps.value(i)) * scale;
+	return QRectF(x, 7, m_widths.value(column) * scale, qMax(1, viewport()->height() - 14));
+}
+
+int TextColumnPreview::columnAt(const QPointF& position) const
+{
+	for (int i = 0; i < m_widths.size(); ++i)
+	{
+		const QRectF rect = columnRect(i);
+		if (rect.adjusted(-3, 0, 3, 0).contains(position))
+			return i;
+		if (i < m_gaps.size())
+		{
+			const double gapWidth = qMax(2.0, m_gaps.at(i) * contentScale());
+			if (QRectF(rect.right(), rect.top(), gapWidth, rect.height()).contains(position))
+				return i;
+		}
+	}
+	return -1;
+}
+
+void TextColumnPreview::updateScrollBar()
+{
+	const int overflow = qMax(0, contentWidth() - qMax(0, viewport()->width() - 12));
+	horizontalScrollBar()->setRange(0, overflow);
+	horizontalScrollBar()->setPageStep(viewport()->width());
+}
+
+void TextColumnPreview::paintEvent(QPaintEvent*)
+{
+	QPainter painter(viewport());
+	painter.fillRect(viewport()->rect(), palette().brush(QPalette::Window));
+	for (int i = 0; i < m_widths.size(); ++i)
+	{
+		QRectF rect = columnRect(i);
+		painter.fillRect(rect, palette().brush(QPalette::Base));
+		if (i == m_selectedColumn)
+		{
+			QColor fill = palette().color(QPalette::Highlight); fill.setAlphaF(0.28);
+			painter.fillRect(rect, fill);
+		}
+		QColor outline = palette().color(i == m_selectedColumn || i == m_hoveredColumn ? QPalette::Highlight : QPalette::Text);
+		if (i == m_selectedColumn)
+			outline.setAlphaF(0.58);
+		else if (i == m_hoveredColumn)
+			outline.setAlphaF(0.30);
+		else
+			outline.setAlphaF(0.28);
+		painter.setPen(outline);
+		painter.drawRect(rect.adjusted(0, 0, -1, -1));
+		if (i < m_gaps.size() && (m_equalGaps || i == m_selectedColumn))
+		{
+			QColor fill = palette().color(QPalette::Highlight);
+			fill.setAlphaF(i == m_selectedColumn ? 0.34 : 0.19);
+			const double gapWidth = qMax(2.0, m_gaps.at(i) * contentScale());
+			painter.fillRect(QRectF(rect.right(), rect.top(), gapWidth, rect.height()), fill);
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+void TextColumnPreview::mousePressEvent(QMouseEvent* event)
+{
+	const int column = columnAt(event->position());
+	if (column >= 0)
+		setSelectedColumn(column);
+	setFocus();
+}
+
+void TextColumnPreview::mouseMoveEvent(QMouseEvent* event)
+{
+	const int column = columnAt(event->position());
+	if (column != m_hoveredColumn)
+	{
+		m_hoveredColumn = column;
+		viewport()->setCursor(column >= 0 ? Qt::PointingHandCursor : Qt::ArrowCursor);
+		setToolTip(column >= 0 ? tr("Column %1 — click to edit").arg(column + 1) : QString());
+		viewport()->update();
+	}
+}
+
+void TextColumnPreview::leaveEvent(QEvent* event)
+{
+	m_hoveredColumn = -1;
+	viewport()->setCursor(Qt::ArrowCursor);
+	viewport()->update();
+	QAbstractScrollArea::leaveEvent(event);
+}
+
+void TextColumnPreview::keyPressEvent(QKeyEvent* event)
+{
+	int column = m_selectedColumn;
+	if (event->key() == Qt::Key_Left) --column;
+	else if (event->key() == Qt::Key_Right) ++column;
+	else if (event->key() == Qt::Key_Home) column = 0;
+	else if (event->key() == Qt::Key_End) column = m_widths.size() - 1;
+	else { QAbstractScrollArea::keyPressEvent(event); return; }
+	setSelectedColumn(column);
+}
+
+void TextColumnPreview::wheelEvent(QWheelEvent* event)
+{
+	if (horizontalScrollBar()->maximum() <= 0)
+	{
+		event->ignore();
+		return;
+	}
+	horizontalScrollBar()->setValue(horizontalScrollBar()->value() - event->angleDelta().y());
+	event->accept();
+}
+
+void TextColumnPreview::resizeEvent(QResizeEvent* event)
+{
+	QAbstractScrollArea::resizeEvent(event);
+	updateScrollBar();
+}
Index: scribus/ui/hruler.h
===================================================================
--- scribus/ui/hruler.h	(revision 27829)
+++ scribus/ui/hruler.h	(working copy)
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@
 
 #include <QWidget>
 
+#include "pageitem.h"
 #include "scribusapi.h"
 #include "styles/paragraphstyle.h"
 
@@ -110,7 +111,7 @@
 	bool m_reverse {false};
 	bool m_rtl {false};
 	bool m_textEditMode {false};
-	double m_colGap {0.0};
+	QVector<TextColumnGeometry> m_columnGeometry;
 	double m_cor {0.0};
 	double m_distLeft {0.0};
 	double m_distRight {0.0};
@@ -125,7 +126,6 @@
 	double m_offset {0.0};
 	double m_rightMargin {0.0};
 	double m_scaling {0.0};
-	int m_cols {0};
 	int m_currCol {1};
 	int m_currTab {0};
 	int m_mouseX {0};
Index: scribus/ui/hruler.cpp
===================================================================
--- scribus/ui/hruler.cpp	(revision 27829)
+++ scribus/ui/hruler.cpp	(working copy)
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
  ***************************************************************************/
 
 #include <cmath>
+#include <utility>
 
 #include <QCursor>
 #include <QMouseEvent>
@@ -100,11 +101,12 @@
 double Hruler::localToTextPos(int x) const
 {
 	double canvasPos = (x + m_view->contentsX()) / m_scaling;
-	if (m_rtl && m_currItem)
+	if (m_currItem && !m_columnGeometry.isEmpty() && m_currCol > 0)
 	{
-		double colWidth = (textWidth() - m_colGap * (m_cols - 1)) / m_cols;
-		double colEnd = textBase() + (colWidth + m_colGap) * (m_currCol - 1.0) + colWidth;
-		return colEnd - canvasPos;
+		const TextColumnGeometry& column = m_columnGeometry.at(qBound(0, m_currCol - 1, static_cast<int>(m_columnGeometry.size()) - 1));
+		if (m_rtl)
+			return textBase() + column.left + column.width - canvasPos;
+		return canvasPos - textBase() - column.left;
 	}
 	return canvasPos - textBase();
 }
@@ -139,13 +141,12 @@
 	if (pos + 1 < (mx + grabRadius) && pos + 1 > (mx - grabRadius))
 		result = rc_rightFrameDist;
 	
-	double colWidth = (textWidth() - m_colGap * (m_cols - 1)) / m_cols;
-	
 	m_currCol = 0;
-	for (int currCol = 0; currCol < m_cols; ++currCol)
+	for (int currCol = 0; currCol < m_columnGeometry.size(); ++currCol)
 	{
-		pos = textPosToLocal((colWidth + m_colGap) * currCol);
-		fpo = QRect(pos, topline, static_cast<int>(colWidth * m_scaling), rulerheight);
+		const TextColumnGeometry& column = m_columnGeometry.at(currCol);
+		pos = textPosToLocal(column.left);
+		fpo = QRect(pos, topline, static_cast<int>(column.width * m_scaling), rulerheight);
 		if (fpo.contains(mp))
 		{
 			m_currCol = currCol + 1;
@@ -153,12 +154,11 @@
 		}
 	}
 	if (m_currCol == 0)
-	{
-		m_currCol = 1;
 		return result;
-	}
 	
-	double colOffset = (colWidth + m_colGap) * (m_currCol - 1.0);
+	const TextColumnGeometry& column = m_columnGeometry.at(m_currCol - 1);
+	double colOffset = column.left;
+	double colWidth = column.width;
 	double colEnd    = colOffset + colWidth;
 
 	// Map a logical value (distance from logical start) to canvas text position
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@
 		return rc_leftMargin;
 
 	// Right Margin handle — rightMargin is always from the logical end side
-	pos = textPosToLocal(colOffset + m_rightMargin);
+	pos = textPosToLocal(logicalToCanvas(colWidth - m_rightMargin));
 	fpo = QRect(m_rtl ? (pos - 1) : (pos - grabRadius), midline, grabRadius, rulerheight / 2);
 	if (fpo.contains(mp))
 		return rc_rightMargin;
@@ -254,7 +254,6 @@
 		{
 			bool mustApplyStyle = false;
 			ParagraphStyle paraStyle;
-			double colWidth = (textWidth() - m_colGap * (m_cols - 1)) / m_cols;
 			switch (m_rulerCode)
 			{
 				case rc_leftFrameDist:
@@ -277,7 +276,7 @@
 					emit DocChanged(false);
 					break;
 				case rc_rightMargin:
-					paraStyle.setRightMargin(colWidth - m_rightMargin);
+					paraStyle.setRightMargin(m_rightMargin);
 					mustApplyStyle = true;
 					emit DocChanged(false);
 					break;
@@ -344,7 +343,8 @@
 	if (m_textEditMode)
 	{
 		int colStart, colEnd;
-		double colWidth = (textWidth() - m_colGap * (m_cols - 1)) / m_cols;
+		const TextColumnGeometry& column = m_columnGeometry.at(qBound(0, m_currCol - 1, static_cast<int>(m_columnGeometry.size()) - 1));
+		double colWidth = column.width;
 		double oldInd;
 		if (m_rulerCode == rc_leftFrameDist || m_rulerCode == rc_rightFrameDist)
 		{
@@ -353,15 +353,19 @@
 		}
 		else
 		{
-			colStart = textPosToLocal((colWidth + m_colGap) * (m_currCol - 1.0));
-			colEnd   = textPosToLocal((colWidth + m_colGap) * (m_currCol - 1.0) + colWidth);
+			colStart = textPosToLocal(column.left);
+			colEnd   = textPosToLocal(column.left + column.width);
 		}
 		QPointF mousePos = m->position();
 		if (m_mousePressed && (mousePos.y() < height()) && (mousePos.y() > 0) && (mousePos.x() > colStart - m_doc->guidesPrefs().grabRadius) && (mousePos.x() < colEnd + m_doc->guidesPrefs().grabRadius))
 		{
 			QApplication::changeOverrideCursor(QCursor(Qt::SizeHorCursor));
-			double toplimit = textWidth() + m_distRight - (m_colGap * (m_cols - 1.0)) - 1.0;
-			double toplimit2 = textWidth() + m_distLeft - (m_colGap * (m_cols - 1.0)) - 1.0;
+			double totalColumnWidth = 0.0;
+			for (const TextColumnGeometry& value : std::as_const(m_columnGeometry))
+				totalColumnWidth += value.width;
+			const double totalGap = qMax(0.0, textWidth() - totalColumnWidth);
+			double toplimit = textWidth() + m_distRight - totalGap - 1.0;
+			double toplimit2 = textWidth() + m_distLeft - totalGap - 1.0;
 			// In RTL dragging right moves away from the logical start (right edge),
 			// so negate the delta for all logical-position markers.
 			double dx = (m_mouseX - mousePos.x()) / m_scaling;
@@ -370,11 +374,11 @@
 			// canvas-relative position (distance from textBase) for MarkerMoved.
 			// In LTR: canvasRel = logicalValue (distance from left edge)
 			// In RTL:  canvasRel = colEnd - textBase() - logicalValue
-			double colOffset = (colWidth + m_colGap) * (m_currCol - 1.0);
+			double colOffset = column.left;
 			auto toCanvasRel = [&](double logicalValue) -> double {
 				if (m_rtl)
 					return colOffset + colWidth - logicalValue;
-				return logicalValue;
+				return colOffset + logicalValue;
 			};
 			switch (m_rulerCode)
 			{
@@ -417,12 +421,12 @@
 					repaint();
 					break;
 				case rc_rightMargin:
-					m_rightMargin -= logicalDx;
+					m_rightMargin += logicalDx;
 					if (m_rightMargin < 0)
 						m_rightMargin = 0;
 					if (m_rightMargin > colWidth - 1)
 						m_rightMargin  = colWidth - 1;
-					emit MarkerMoved(textBase(), toCanvasRel(m_rightMargin));
+					emit MarkerMoved(textBase(), toCanvasRel(colWidth - m_rightMargin));
 					repaint();
 					break;
 				case rc_tab:
@@ -499,7 +503,10 @@
 			return;
 
 		const ParagraphStyle& style(m_doc->appMode == modeEdit ? tItem->currentStyle() : tItem->itemText.defaultStyle());
-		TabManager *dia = new TabManager(this, m_doc->unitIndex(), style.tabValues(), tItem->columnWidth());
+		double minimumColumnWidth = 0.0;
+		for (const TextColumnGeometry& column : tItem->columnGeometry())
+			minimumColumnWidth = minimumColumnWidth == 0.0 ? column.width : qMin(minimumColumnWidth, column.width);
+		TabManager *dia = new TabManager(this, m_doc->unitIndex(), style.tabValues(), minimumColumnWidth);
 		dia->setRtl(m_rtl);
 		if (dia->exec())
 		{
@@ -551,10 +558,10 @@
 			p.translate( textPosToLocal(m_distLeft) - textPosToLocal(m_itemEndPos - m_itemPos - m_distRight), 0);
 			p.translate(-textPosToLocal(0), 0);
 		}
-		for (int currCol = 0; currCol < m_cols; ++currCol)
+		for (const TextColumnGeometry& column : std::as_const(m_columnGeometry))
 		{
-			double colWidth = (textWidth() - m_colGap * (m_cols - 1.0)) / m_cols;
-			double pos = (colWidth + m_colGap) * currCol;
+			double colWidth = column.width;
+			double pos = column.left;
 			double endPos = pos + colWidth;
 
 			p.fillRect(QRect(QPoint(textPosToLocal(pos), 0), QPoint(textPosToLocal(endPos), bottomline)), backgroundColor);
@@ -587,7 +594,7 @@
 				p.drawPolygon(cr2);
 
 				// Right Margin (logical end = left side), triangle opens right
-				xPos = textPosToLocal(endPos - m_rightMargin);
+				xPos = textPosToLocal(pos + m_rightMargin);
 				QPolygon cr3;
 				cr3.setPoints(3, xPos, tabline, xPos + 8, tabline, xPos, bottomline);
 				p.drawPolygon(cr3);
@@ -661,7 +668,7 @@
 				p.drawPolygon(cr2);
 
 				// Right Margin
-				xPos = textPosToLocal(pos + m_rightMargin);
+				xPos = textPosToLocal(endPos - m_rightMargin);
 				QPolygon cr3;
 				cr3.setPoints(3, xPos - 8, tabline, xPos, tabline, xPos, bottomline);
 				p.drawPolygon(cr3);
@@ -972,18 +979,23 @@
 		m_lineCorr = item->lineWidth() / 2.0;
 	else
 		m_lineCorr = 0;
-	m_colGap = item->m_columnGap;
-	m_cols = item->m_columns;
 	m_distLeft  = item->textToFrameDistLeft();
 	m_distRight = item->textToFrameDistRight();
+	m_columnGeometry.clear();
+	if (const PageItem_TextFrame* textFrame = item->asTextFrame())
+	{
+		m_columnGeometry = textFrame->columnGeometry();
+		const double contentLeft = m_distLeft + m_lineCorr;
+		for (TextColumnGeometry& column : m_columnGeometry)
+			column.left -= contentLeft;
+	}
+	if (m_columnGeometry.isEmpty())
+		m_columnGeometry.append(TextColumnGeometry { 0.0, textWidth() });
 
 	const ParagraphStyle& currentStyle = item->currentStyle();
 	m_firstIndent = currentStyle.firstIndent();
 	m_leftMargin = currentStyle.leftMargin();
-	double columnWidth = (item->width() - (item->columnGap() * (item->columns() - 1.0))
-						  - item->textToFrameDistLeft() - item->textToFrameDistLeft()
-						  - 2 * m_lineCorr) / item->columns();
-	m_rightMargin = columnWidth - currentStyle.rightMargin();
+	m_rightMargin = currentStyle.rightMargin();
 	m_reverse = item->imageFlippedH();
 	setRtl(item->currentStyle().direction() == ParagraphStyle::RTL);
 	m_textEditMode = true;
Index: resources/iconsets/1_7_0/1_7_0.xml
===================================================================
--- resources/iconsets/1_7_0/1_7_0.xml	(revision 27829)
+++ resources/iconsets/1_7_0/1_7_0.xml	(working copy)
@@ -545,6 +545,7 @@
 		<icon id="paragraph-align-top" file="16/paragraph-align-top.svg" />
 		<icon id="paragraph-align-vertical-center" file="16/paragraph-align-vertical-center.svg" />
 		<icon id="paragraph-columns" file="16/paragraph-columns.svg" />
+		<icon id="paragraph-column-gap" file="16/paragraph-column-gap.svg" />
 		<icon id="paragraph-effects-style" file="16/paragraph-effects-style.svg" />
 		<icon id="paragraph-indent-firstline" file="16/paragraph-firstline.svg" />
 		<icon id="paragraph-indent-left" file="16/paragraph-indent-left.svg" />	
Index: resources/iconsets/1_7_0/16/paragraph-column-gap.svg
===================================================================
--- resources/iconsets/1_7_0/16/paragraph-column-gap.svg	(nonexistent)
+++ resources/iconsets/1_7_0/16/paragraph-column-gap.svg	(working copy)
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+<svg width="16" height="16" viewBox="0 0 16 16" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><style>@import '../colors.css';</style>
+<path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M1 2h5v12H1V2Zm1 1v10h3V3H2Zm8-1h5v12h-5V2Zm1 1v10h3V3h-3Z"/>
+<path d="M7 7h2v2H7V7Z" class="error"/>
+</svg>

Index: scribus/CMakeLists_Sources.txt
===================================================================
--- scribus/CMakeLists_Sources.txt	(revision 27829)
+++ scribus/CMakeLists_Sources.txt	(working copy)
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 	)
 endif()
 
+
 if (GMAGICK_FOUND)
 	set(SCRIBUS_GMAGICK_SRC imagedataloaders/scimgdataloader_gmagick.cpp)
 else()
@@ -473,6 +474,7 @@
 	ui/propertywidget_advanced.cpp
 	ui/propertywidget_alignment.cpp
 	ui/propertywidget_distance.cpp
+	ui/textcolumnpreview.cpp
 	ui/propertywidget_paragraphstyle.cpp
 	ui/propertywidget_pareffect.cpp
 	ui/propertywidget_hyphenation.cpp
@@ -626,5 +628,3 @@
 	set(SCRIBUS_WIN32_ONLY_SOURCES)
 	set(SCRIBUS_MAIN_CPP main.cpp)
 endif()
-
-
Index: scribus/ui/propertywidget_distancebase.ui
===================================================================
--- scribus/ui/propertywidget_distancebase.ui	(revision 27829)
+++ scribus/ui/propertywidget_distancebase.ui	(working copy)
@@ -47,13 +47,36 @@
        </property>
       </spacer>
      </item>
-    </layout>
+   </layout>
    </item>
    <item>
-    <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="horizontalLayout">
+    <widget class="QWidget" name="columnControlsWidget" native="true">
+     <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="horizontalLayout">
      <property name="spacing">
-      <number>4</number>
+      <number>8</number>
      </property>
+     <property name="leftMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+     <property name="topMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+     <property name="rightMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+     <property name="bottomMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+     <item>
+      <widget class="FormWidget" name="columnLayoutLabel">
+       <property name="label" stdset="0"><string>&amp;Layout</string></property>
+       <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="columnLayoutControlLayout">
+        <property name="leftMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+        <property name="topMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+        <property name="rightMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+        <property name="bottomMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+        <item>
+         <widget class="QComboBox" name="columnLayout">
+          <property name="sizeAdjustPolicy"><enum>QComboBox::SizeAdjustPolicy::AdjustToContents</enum></property>
+          <item><property name="text"><string>Equal</string></property></item>
+          <item><property name="text"><string>Custom</string></property></item>
+         </widget>
+        </item>
+       </layout>
+      </widget>
+     </item>
      <item>
       <widget class="FormWidget" name="columnsLabel">
        <property name="label" stdset="0">
@@ -89,90 +112,32 @@
       </widget>
      </item>
      <item>
-      <spacer name="horizontalSpacer_4">
-       <property name="orientation">
-        <enum>Qt::Orientation::Horizontal</enum>
-       </property>
-       <property name="sizeType">
-        <enum>QSizePolicy::Policy::Fixed</enum>
-       </property>
-       <property name="sizeHint" stdset="0">
-        <size>
-         <width>8</width>
-         <height>0</height>
-        </size>
-       </property>
-      </spacer>
-     </item>
-     <item>
-      <widget class="FormWidget" name="columnGapLabel">
-       <property name="label" stdset="0">
-        <string/>
-       </property>
-       <property name="preserveLabelSpace">
-        <bool>true</bool>
-       </property>
-       <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="horizontalLayout_8">
-        <property name="leftMargin">
-         <number>0</number>
-        </property>
-        <property name="topMargin">
-         <number>0</number>
-        </property>
-        <property name="rightMargin">
-         <number>0</number>
-        </property>
-        <property name="bottomMargin">
-         <number>0</number>
-        </property>
+      <widget class="FormWidget" name="widthAdjustmentLabel">
+       <property name="label" stdset="0"><string>Width adjustment</string></property>
+       <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="widthAdjustmentLayout">
+        <property name="leftMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+        <property name="topMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+        <property name="rightMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+        <property name="bottomMargin"><number>0</number></property>
         <item>
-         <widget class="QComboBox" name="columnGapCombo">
-          <property name="toolTip">
-           <string>Switches between Gap or Column width</string>
-          </property>
-          <property name="sizeAdjustPolicy">
-           <enum>QComboBox::SizeAdjustPolicy::AdjustToContents</enum>
-          </property>
-          <item>
-           <property name="text">
-            <string>Gap:</string>
-           </property>
-          </item>
-          <item>
-           <property name="text">
-            <string>Width:</string>
-           </property>
-          </item>
+         <widget class="QComboBox" name="widthAdjustment">
+          <property name="sizeAdjustPolicy"><enum>QComboBox::SizeAdjustPolicy::AdjustToContents</enum></property>
+          <item><property name="text"><string>Adjacent</string></property></item>
+          <item><property name="text"><string>All others</string></property></item>
          </widget>
         </item>
        </layout>
       </widget>
      </item>
      <item>
-      <widget class="FormWidget" name="columnGapSizeLabel">
-       <property name="label" stdset="0">
-        <string>Size</string>
-       </property>
-       <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="horizontalLayout_7">
-        <property name="leftMargin">
-         <number>0</number>
-        </property>
-        <property name="topMargin">
-         <number>0</number>
-        </property>
-        <property name="rightMargin">
-         <number>0</number>
-        </property>
-        <property name="bottomMargin">
-         <number>0</number>
-        </property>
-        <item>
-         <widget class="ScrSpinBox" name="columnGap">
-          <property name="toolTip">
-           <string>Distance between columns</string>
-          </property>
-         </widget>
-        </item>
+      <widget class="FormWidget" name="columnGapLabel">
+       <property name="label" stdset="0"><string>Gap</string></property>
+       <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="columnGapLayout">
+        <property name="leftMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+        <property name="topMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+        <property name="rightMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+        <property name="bottomMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+        <item><widget class="ScrSpinBox" name="columnGap"/></item>
        </layout>
       </widget>
      </item>
@@ -189,7 +154,106 @@
        </property>
       </spacer>
      </item>
-    </layout>
+     </layout>
+    </widget>
+   </item>
+   <item>
+    <widget class="TextColumnPreview" name="columnPreview"/>
+   </item>
+   <item>
+    <widget class="QWidget" name="customColumnsWidget" native="true">
+     <layout class="QGridLayout" name="customColumnsLayout">
+      <property name="horizontalSpacing">
+       <number>8</number>
+      </property>
+      <property name="verticalSpacing">
+       <number>4</number>
+      </property>
+      <property name="leftMargin">
+       <number>0</number>
+      </property>
+      <property name="topMargin">
+       <number>0</number>
+      </property>
+      <property name="rightMargin">
+       <number>0</number>
+      </property>
+      <property name="bottomMargin">
+       <number>0</number>
+      </property>
+      <item row="1" column="0">
+       <widget class="FormWidget" name="customColumnLabel">
+        <property name="visible"><bool>false</bool></property>
+        <property name="label" stdset="0">
+         <string>Column</string>
+        </property>
+        <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="customColumnControlLayout">
+         <property name="leftMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+         <property name="topMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+         <property name="rightMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+         <property name="bottomMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+         <item>
+          <widget class="ScrSpinBox" name="customColumn">
+           <property name="minimum"><double>1.000000000000000</double></property>
+	           <property name="decimals"><number>0</number></property>
+          </widget>
+         </item>
+        </layout>
+       </widget>
+      </item>
+      <item row="0" column="0">
+       <widget class="FormWidget" name="customWidthLabel">
+        <property name="label" stdset="0">
+         <string>Width</string>
+        </property>
+        <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="customWidthControlLayout">
+         <property name="leftMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+         <property name="topMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+         <property name="rightMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+         <property name="bottomMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+         <item><widget class="ScrSpinBox" name="customWidth"/></item>
+        </layout>
+       </widget>
+      </item>
+      <item row="0" column="1">
+       <widget class="FormWidget" name="customGapLabel">
+        <property name="label" stdset="0">
+         <string>Gap</string>
+        </property>
+        <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="customGapControlLayout">
+         <property name="leftMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+         <property name="topMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+         <property name="rightMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+         <property name="bottomMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+         <item><widget class="ScrSpinBox" name="customGap"/></item>
+        </layout>
+       </widget>
+      </item>
+      <item row="0" column="2">
+       <widget class="FormWidget" name="equalGapsLabel">
+        <property name="label" stdset="0"><string/></property>
+        <property name="preserveLabelSpace"><bool>true</bool></property>
+        <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="equalGapsLayout">
+         <property name="leftMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+         <property name="topMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+         <property name="rightMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+         <property name="bottomMargin"><number>0</number></property>
+         <item>
+          <widget class="QCheckBox" name="equalGaps">
+           <property name="text"><string>Equal gaps</string></property>
+          </widget>
+         </item>
+        </layout>
+       </widget>
+      </item>
+      <item row="0" column="3">
+       <spacer name="customColumnsSpacer">
+        <property name="orientation"><enum>Qt::Orientation::Horizontal</enum></property>
+        <property name="sizeHint" stdset="0"><size><width>0</width><height>0</height></size></property>
+       </spacer>
+      </item>
+     </layout>
+    </widget>
    </item>
    <item>
     <layout class="QGridLayout" name="gridLayout">
@@ -376,6 +440,11 @@
  </widget>
  <customwidgets>
   <customwidget>
+   <class>TextColumnPreview</class>
+   <extends>QAbstractScrollArea</extends>
+   <header>ui/textcolumnpreview.h</header>
+  </customwidget>
+  <customwidget>
    <class>FormWidget</class>
    <extends>QWidget</extends>
    <header>ui/widgets/form_widget.h</header>
Index: scribus/ui/propertywidget_distance.h
===================================================================
--- scribus/ui/propertywidget_distance.h	(revision 27829)
+++ scribus/ui/propertywidget_distance.h	(working copy)
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 
 class ScribusDoc;
 class ScribusMainWindow;
+class PageItem_TextFrame;
 
 class PropertyWidget_Distance : public QFrame, public Ui::PropertyWidget_DistanceBase,
                                 public PropertyWidgetBase
@@ -31,10 +32,15 @@
 	double m_unitRatio {1.0};
 	int m_unitIndex {SC_PT};
 	PageItem *m_item {nullptr};
+	PageItem_TextFrame *m_columnItem {nullptr};
+	bool m_initializeGapMode {true};
 	ScribusMainWindow* m_ScMW {nullptr};
 
 	void configureWidgets();
 	void setCurrentItem(PageItem *item);
+	PageItem_TextFrame* currentTextFrame() const;
+	void updateColumnControls(PageItem_TextFrame* textItem);
+	void updateTextFrame(PageItem_TextFrame* textItem);
 
 	void changeEvent(QEvent *e) override;
 
@@ -59,7 +65,12 @@
 private slots:
 	void handleColumns();
 	void handleColumnGap();
-	void handleGapSwitch();
+	void handleColumnLayout(int index);
+	void handleCustomColumn();
+	void handlePreviewColumn(int column);
+	void handleCustomWidth();
+	void handleCustomGap();
+	void handleEqualGaps(bool enabled);
 	void handleTabs();
 	void handleTextDistances();
 	void handleIndents();
Index: scribus/ui/propertywidget_distance.cpp
===================================================================
--- scribus/ui/propertywidget_distance.cpp	(revision 27829)
+++ scribus/ui/propertywidget_distance.cpp	(working copy)
@@ -7,6 +7,10 @@
 
 #include "propertywidget_distance.h"
 
+#include <algorithm>
+#include <numeric>
+#include <utility>
+
 #include <QSignalBlocker>
 
 #include "appmodehelper.h"
@@ -18,9 +22,35 @@
 #include "scribus.h"
 #include "scribusapp.h"
 #include "scribusdoc.h"
+#include "scribusview.h"
 #include "selection.h"
+#include "hruler.h"
 #include "tabmanager.h"
 
+namespace
+{
+	bool gapsAreEqual(const QVector<double>& gaps)
+	{
+		if (gaps.size() < 2)
+			return true;
+		for (int i = 1; i < gaps.size(); ++i)
+		{
+			const double tolerance = 1e-7 * qMax(1.0, qMax(qAbs(gaps.at(0)), qAbs(gaps.at(i))));
+			if (qAbs(gaps.at(i) - gaps.at(0)) > tolerance)
+				return false;
+		}
+		return true;
+	}
+
+	double minimumTextColumnWidth(const PageItem_TextFrame* item)
+	{
+		double width = 0.0;
+		for (const TextColumnGeometry& column : item->columnGeometry())
+			width = width == 0.0 ? column.width : qMin(width, column.width);
+		return width;
+	}
+}
+
 PropertyWidget_Distance::PropertyWidget_Distance(QWidget* parent) : QFrame(parent)
 {
 	setupUi(this);
@@ -30,6 +60,24 @@
 	columnGap->setValues(0, 300, 2, 0);
 	columns->setDecimals(0);
 	columns->setSuffix("");
+	customColumn->setValues(1, 3000, 0, 1);
+	customColumn->setSuffix("");
+	customWidth->setValues(0.01, 1000000, 2, 0);
+	customGap->setValues(0, 1000000, 2, 0);
+	customWidth->setToolTip(tr("Width of the selected column"));
+	customGap->setToolTip(tr("Space after the selected column"));
+	customColumnsWidget->setVisible(false);
+	columnPreview->setVisible(false);
+	widthAdjustmentLabel->setVisible(false);
+	equalGaps->setVisible(false);
+	setTabOrder(columnLayout, columns);
+	setTabOrder(columns, widthAdjustment);
+	setTabOrder(widthAdjustment, columnGap);
+	setTabOrder(columnGap, columnPreview);
+	setTabOrder(columnPreview, customWidth);
+	setTabOrder(customWidth, customGap);
+	setTabOrder(customGap, equalGaps);
+	setTabOrder(equalGaps, tabsButton);
 
 	MarginStruct distances;
 
@@ -48,7 +96,7 @@
 	iconSetChange();
 	languageChange();
 
-	columnGapCombo->setCurrentIndex(0);
+	columnLayout->setCurrentIndex(0);
 
 	connect(ScQApp, SIGNAL(iconSetChanged()), this, SLOT(iconSetChange()));
 	connect(ScQApp, SIGNAL(localeChanged()), this, SLOT(localeChange()));
@@ -88,6 +136,9 @@
 
 	columns->setDecimals(0);
 	columnGap->setDecimals(2);
+	customColumn->setDecimals(0);
+	customWidth->setDecimals(2);
+	customGap->setDecimals(2);
 
 	connect(m_doc->m_Selection, SIGNAL(selectionChanged()), this, SLOT(handleSelectionChanged()));
 	connect(m_doc             , SIGNAL(docChanged())      , this, SLOT(handleSelectionChanged()));
@@ -136,25 +187,18 @@
 	if (m_doc->appMode == modeEditTable)
 		textItem = m_item->asTable()->activeCell().textFrame();
 	if (!textItem) return;
+	if (textItem != m_columnItem)
+	{
+		m_columnItem = textItem;
+		m_initializeGapMode = true;
+		customColumn->setValue(1);
+	}
 
 	ParagraphStyle parStyle =  m_item->itemText.defaultStyle();
 	if (m_doc->appMode == modeEdit || m_doc->appMode == modeEditTable)
 		m_item->currentTextProps(parStyle);
 
-	//#14427: columns->setMaximum(qMax(qRound(textItem->width() / qMax(textItem->ColGap, 10.0)), 1));
-	columns->setMinimum(1);
-	columns->setValue(textItem->m_columns);
-	columnGap->setMinimum(0);
-	if (columnGapCombo->currentIndex() == 0)
-	{
-		columnGap->setMaximum(qMax((textItem->width() / textItem->m_columns - textItem->textToFrameDistLeft() - textItem->textToFrameDistRight()) * m_unitRatio, 0.0));
-		columnGap->setValue(textItem->m_columnGap * m_unitRatio);
-	}
-	else
-	{
-		columnGap->setMaximum(qMax((textItem->width() / textItem->m_columns) * m_unitRatio, 0.0));
-		columnGap->setValue(textItem->columnWidth() * m_unitRatio);
-	}
+	updateColumnControls(textItem);
 
 	MarginStruct distances;
 	distances.set(
@@ -167,9 +211,6 @@
 	distanceWidget->setPageWidth(m_item->width());
 	distanceWidget->setNewValues(distances);
 
-	columnGapLabel->setVisible(columns->value() != 1);
-	columnGapSizeLabel->setVisible(columns->value() != 1);
-
 	updateStyle(parStyle);
 
 	connectSignals();
@@ -179,7 +220,13 @@
 {
 	connect(columns       , SIGNAL(valueChanged(double))   , this, SLOT(handleColumns()), Qt::UniqueConnection);
 	connect(columnGap     , SIGNAL(valueChanged(double)), this, SLOT(handleColumnGap()), Qt::UniqueConnection);
-	connect(columnGapCombo, SIGNAL(activated(int))      , this, SLOT(handleGapSwitch()), Qt::UniqueConnection);
+	connect(columnLayout  , SIGNAL(activated(int))      , this, SLOT(handleColumnLayout(int)), Qt::UniqueConnection);
+	connect(customColumn  , SIGNAL(valueChanged(double)), this, SLOT(handleCustomColumn()), Qt::UniqueConnection);
+	connect(columnPreview , SIGNAL(selectedColumnChanged(int)), this, SLOT(handlePreviewColumn(int)), Qt::UniqueConnection);
+	connect(customWidth   , SIGNAL(valueChanged(double)), this, SLOT(handleCustomWidth()), Qt::UniqueConnection);
+	connect(customGap     , SIGNAL(valueChanged(double)), this, SLOT(handleCustomGap()), Qt::UniqueConnection);
+	connect(equalGaps     , SIGNAL(toggled(bool))        , this, SLOT(handleEqualGaps(bool)), Qt::UniqueConnection);
+	connect(widthAdjustment, SIGNAL(activated(int))      , this, SLOT(handleCustomColumn()), Qt::UniqueConnection);
 	connect(distanceWidget, SIGNAL(valuesChanged(MarginStruct)), this, SLOT(handleTextDistances()), Qt::UniqueConnection);
 	connect(tabsButton    , SIGNAL(clicked())           , this, SLOT(handleTabs()), Qt::UniqueConnection);
 	connect(firstLineIndentSpin, SIGNAL(valueChanged(double)), this, SLOT(handleIndents()), Qt::UniqueConnection);
@@ -194,7 +241,13 @@
 {
 	disconnect(columns       , SIGNAL(valueChanged(double))   , this, SLOT(handleColumns()));
 	disconnect(columnGap     , SIGNAL(valueChanged(double)), this, SLOT(handleColumnGap()));
-	disconnect(columnGapCombo, SIGNAL(activated(int))      , this, SLOT(handleGapSwitch()));
+	disconnect(columnLayout  , SIGNAL(activated(int))      , this, SLOT(handleColumnLayout(int)));
+	disconnect(customColumn  , SIGNAL(valueChanged(double)), this, SLOT(handleCustomColumn()));
+	disconnect(columnPreview , SIGNAL(selectedColumnChanged(int)), this, SLOT(handlePreviewColumn(int)));
+	disconnect(customWidth   , SIGNAL(valueChanged(double)), this, SLOT(handleCustomWidth()));
+	disconnect(customGap     , SIGNAL(valueChanged(double)), this, SLOT(handleCustomGap()));
+	disconnect(equalGaps     , SIGNAL(toggled(bool))        , this, SLOT(handleEqualGaps(bool)));
+	disconnect(widthAdjustment, SIGNAL(activated(int))      , this, SLOT(handleCustomColumn()));
 	disconnect(distanceWidget, SIGNAL(valuesChanged(MarginStruct)), this, SLOT(handleTextDistances()));
 	disconnect(tabsButton    , SIGNAL(clicked())           , this, SLOT(handleTabs()));
 	disconnect(firstLineIndentSpin, SIGNAL(valueChanged(double)), this, SLOT(handleIndents()));
@@ -221,12 +274,127 @@
 			int numCols = textItem->m_columns;
 			
 			columnGapLabel->setVisible(numCols != 1);
-			columnGapSizeLabel->setVisible(numCols != 1);
 		}
 	}
 	setEnabled(enabled);
 }
 
+PageItem_TextFrame* PropertyWidget_Distance::currentTextFrame() const
+{
+	if (!m_item || !m_doc)
+		return nullptr;
+	if (m_doc->appMode == modeEditTable && m_item->isTable())
+		return m_item->asTable()->activeCell().textFrame();
+	return m_item->asTextFrame();
+}
+
+void PropertyWidget_Distance::updateColumnControls(PageItem_TextFrame* textItem)
+{
+	if (!textItem)
+		return;
+
+	QSignalBlocker columnsBlocker(columns);
+	QSignalBlocker gapBlocker(columnGap);
+	QSignalBlocker layoutBlocker(columnLayout);
+	QSignalBlocker customColumnBlocker(customColumn);
+	QSignalBlocker customWidthBlocker(customWidth);
+	QSignalBlocker customGapBlocker(customGap);
+	QSignalBlocker equalGapsBlocker(equalGaps);
+
+	const TextColumnLayout layout = textItem->textColumnLayout();
+	const bool custom = layout.custom && layout.columnCount > 1;
+	const int columnCount = qMax(1, layout.columnCount);
+	const int column = qBound(0, static_cast<int>(customColumn->value()) - 1, columnCount - 1);
+
+	columns->setMinimum(1);
+	columns->setValue(columnCount);
+	columnLayout->setCurrentIndex(custom ? 1 : 0);
+	columnLayout->setEnabled(columnCount > 1);
+
+	columnGap->setMinimum(0);
+	columnGap->setMaximum(qMax((textItem->width() / columnCount - textItem->textToFrameDistLeft() - textItem->textToFrameDistRight()) * m_unitRatio, 0.0));
+	columnGap->setValue(layout.columnGap * m_unitRatio);
+
+	customColumn->setMaximum(columnCount);
+	customColumn->setValue(column + 1);
+	const QVector<TextColumnGeometry> geometry = textItem->columnGeometry();
+	QVector<double> effectiveWidths;
+	QVector<double> effectiveGaps;
+	for (const TextColumnGeometry& value : geometry)
+		effectiveWidths.append(value.width);
+	for (int i = 0; i + 1 < geometry.size(); ++i)
+		effectiveGaps.append(qMax(0.0, geometry.at(i + 1).left - geometry.at(i).left - geometry.at(i).width));
+	if (m_initializeGapMode)
+	{
+		equalGaps->setChecked(gapsAreEqual(effectiveGaps));
+		m_initializeGapMode = false;
+	}
+	else if (equalGaps->isChecked() && !gapsAreEqual(effectiveGaps))
+		equalGaps->setChecked(false);
+	columnPreview->setGeometry(effectiveWidths, effectiveGaps);
+	columnPreview->setSelectedColumn(column);
+	columnPreview->setEqualGaps(equalGaps->isChecked());
+	if (column < geometry.size())
+	{
+		const int neighbour = (column + 1 < columnCount) ? column + 1 : column - 1;
+		double maximumWidth = geometry.at(column).width;
+		if (widthAdjustment->currentIndex() == 1)
+		{
+			for (int i = 0; i < geometry.size(); ++i)
+				if (i != column)
+					maximumWidth += qMax(0.0, geometry.at(i).width - 0.01);
+		}
+		else if (neighbour >= 0)
+			maximumWidth += qMax(0.0, geometry.at(neighbour).width - 0.01);
+		customWidth->setMaximum(qMax(0.01, maximumWidth) * m_unitRatio);
+		customWidth->setValue(geometry.at(column).width * m_unitRatio);
+	}
+	const bool editEqualGaps = custom && equalGaps->isChecked() && !effectiveGaps.isEmpty();
+	customGap->setEnabled(custom && (column < columnCount - 1 || editEqualGaps));
+	customGap->setToolTip(editEqualGaps ? tr("Space between all columns")
+		: (column < columnCount - 1 ? tr("Space after the selected column")
+		: tr("The last column has no following gap")));
+	if (editEqualGaps)
+	{
+		const double contentWidth = std::accumulate(effectiveWidths.cbegin(), effectiveWidths.cend(), 0.0)
+			+ std::accumulate(effectiveGaps.cbegin(), effectiveGaps.cend(), 0.0);
+		customGap->setMaximum(qMax(0.0, (contentWidth - 0.01 * columnCount) / effectiveGaps.size()) * m_unitRatio);
+	}
+	if (custom && column < effectiveGaps.size() && column + 1 < geometry.size())
+	{
+		if (!editEqualGaps)
+			customGap->setMaximum((effectiveGaps.at(column) + qMax(0.0, geometry.at(column + 1).width - 0.01)) * m_unitRatio);
+		customGap->setValue(effectiveGaps.at(column) * m_unitRatio);
+	}
+	else
+		customGap->setValue(0.0);
+	if (editEqualGaps && column >= effectiveGaps.size())
+		customGap->setValue(effectiveGaps.constFirst() * m_unitRatio);
+
+	columnGapLabel->setVisible(!custom && columnCount > 1);
+	customColumnsWidget->setVisible(custom);
+	columnPreview->setVisible(custom);
+	widthAdjustmentLabel->setVisible(custom);
+	widthAdjustment->setEnabled(columnCount > 2);
+	equalGaps->setVisible(custom && columnCount > 2);
+}
+
+void PropertyWidget_Distance::updateTextFrame(PageItem_TextFrame* textItem)
+{
+	if (!textItem)
+		return;
+	updateColumnControls(textItem);
+	textItem->update();
+	if (m_doc->appMode == modeEditTable)
+		m_item->asTable()->update();
+	if (m_ScMW->view && m_doc->inAnEditMode())
+	{
+		m_ScMW->view->horizRuler->setItem(textItem);
+		m_ScMW->view->horizRuler->update();
+	}
+	m_doc->regionsChanged()->update(QRect());
+}
+
 void PropertyWidget_Distance::handleAppModeChanged(int oldMode, int mode)
 {
 	if (oldMode == modeEditTable || mode == modeEditTable)
@@ -255,6 +423,9 @@
 	IconManager &im = IconManager::instance();
 
 	columnsLabel->setPixmap(im.loadPixmap("paragraph-columns"));
+	columnGapLabel->setPixmap(im.loadPixmap("paragraph-column-gap"));
+	customWidthLabel->setPixmap(im.loadPixmap("scale-width"));
+	customGapLabel->setPixmap(im.loadPixmap("paragraph-column-gap"));
 	firstLineIndentLabel->setPixmap(im.loadPixmap("paragraph-indent-firstline"));
 	leftIndentLabel->setPixmap(im.loadPixmap("paragraph-indent-left"));
 	rightIndentLabel->setPixmap(im.loadPixmap("paragraph-indent-right"));
@@ -262,47 +433,68 @@
 	gapAfterLabel->setPixmap(im.loadPixmap("paragraph-space-below") );
 }
 
-void PropertyWidget_Distance::showColumns(int r, double g)
+void PropertyWidget_Distance::showColumns(int /*columnCount*/, double /*columnGapValue*/)
 {
 	if (!m_ScMW || m_ScMW->scriptIsRunning())
 		return;
+	if (PageItem_TextFrame* textItem = currentTextFrame())
+		updateColumnControls(textItem);
+}
+
+void PropertyWidget_Distance::handleColumns()
+{
+	if (!m_doc || !m_item || !m_ScMW || m_ScMW->scriptIsRunning())
+		return;
 
-	bool cSigWasBlocked    = columns->blockSignals(true);
-	bool cGapSigWasBlocked = columnGap->blockSignals(true);
+	PageItem_TextFrame* textItem = currentTextFrame();
+	if (!textItem)
+		return;
 
-	columns->setValue(r);
-	columnGap->setValue(g * m_unitRatio);
-	if (m_item)
+	const int newCount = qMax(1, static_cast<int>(columns->value()));
+	TextColumnLayout layout = textItem->textColumnLayout();
+	if (!layout.custom)
+		textItem->setColumns(newCount);
+	else if (newCount == 1)
+	{
+		layout.columnCount = 1;
+		layout.custom = false;
+		layout.widthRatios.clear();
+		layout.gaps.clear();
+		textItem->setTextColumnLayout(layout);
+	}
+	else if (newCount > layout.columnCount)
 	{
-		PageItem_TextFrame *textItem = m_item->asTextFrame();
-		if (m_doc->appMode == modeEditTable)
-			textItem = m_item->asTable()->activeCell().textFrame();
-
-		if (textItem != nullptr)
+		while (layout.columnCount < newCount)
 		{
-//#14427: columns->setMaximum(qMax(qRound(textItem->width() / qMax(textItem->ColGap, 10.0)), 1));
-			if (columnGapCombo->currentIndex() == 0)
-			{
-				columnGap->setMaximum(qMax((textItem->width() / textItem->m_columns - textItem->textToFrameDistLeft() - textItem->textToFrameDistRight()) * m_unitRatio, 0.0));
-				columnGap->setValue(textItem->m_columnGap * m_unitRatio);
-			}
-			else
+			const int oldCount = layout.columnCount;
+			const double newShare = 1.0 / (oldCount + 1.0);
+			for (double& ratio : layout.widthRatios)
+				ratio *= 1.0 - newShare;
+			layout.widthRatios.append(newShare);
+			double averageGap = layout.columnGap;
+			if (!layout.gaps.isEmpty())
 			{
-				columnGap->setMaximum(qMax((textItem->width() / textItem->m_columns) * m_unitRatio, 0.0));
-				columnGap->setValue(textItem->columnWidth() * m_unitRatio);
+				averageGap = 0.0;
+				for (double gap : std::as_const(layout.gaps))
+					averageGap += gap;
+				averageGap /= layout.gaps.size();
 			}
+			layout.gaps.append(averageGap);
+			layout.columnCount++;
 		}
+		textItem->setTextColumnLayout(layout);
 	}
-	columns->setMinimum(1);
-	columnGap->setMinimum(0);
-	columnGapLabel->setVisible(columns->value() != 1);
-	columnGapSizeLabel->setVisible(columns->value() != 1);
-
-	columns->blockSignals(cSigWasBlocked);
-	columnGap->blockSignals(cGapSigWasBlocked);
+	else if (newCount < layout.columnCount)
+	{
+		layout.columnCount = newCount;
+		layout.widthRatios.resize(newCount);
+		layout.gaps.resize(newCount - 1);
+		textItem->setTextColumnLayout(layout);
+	}
+	updateTextFrame(textItem);
 }
 
-void PropertyWidget_Distance::handleColumns()
+void PropertyWidget_Distance::handleColumnGap()
 {
 	if (!m_doc || !m_item || !m_ScMW || m_ScMW->scriptIsRunning())
 		return;
@@ -310,59 +502,199 @@
 	PageItem *textItem = m_item;
 	if (m_doc->appMode == modeEditTable)
 		textItem = m_item->asTable()->activeCell().textFrame();
+	if (!textItem)
+		return;
 
-	if (textItem)
-	{
-		textItem->setColumns(static_cast<int>(columns->value()));
-		showColumns(textItem->m_columns, textItem->m_columnGap);
-		textItem->update();
-		if (m_doc->appMode == modeEditTable)
-			m_item->asTable()->update();
-		m_doc->regionsChanged()->update(QRect());
-	}
+	textItem->setColumnGap(columnGap->value() / m_unitRatio);
+	updateTextFrame(textItem->asTextFrame());
 }
 
-void PropertyWidget_Distance::handleColumnGap()
+void PropertyWidget_Distance::handleColumnLayout(int index)
 {
 	if (!m_doc || !m_item || !m_ScMW || m_ScMW->scriptIsRunning())
 		return;
-
-	PageItem *textItem = m_item;
-	if (m_doc->appMode == modeEditTable)
-		textItem = m_item->asTable()->activeCell().textFrame();
-	if (!textItem)
+	PageItem_TextFrame* textItem = currentTextFrame();
+	if (!textItem || textItem->columns() < 2)
 		return;
 
-	if (columnGapCombo->currentIndex() == 0)
-		textItem->setColumnGap(columnGap->value() / m_unitRatio);
-	else
+	TextColumnLayout layout = textItem->textColumnLayout();
+	if (index == 1 && !layout.custom)
 	{
-		double lineCorr=0.0;
-		if ((textItem->lineColor() != CommonStrings::None) || (!textItem->strokePattern().isEmpty()))
-			lineCorr = textItem->lineWidth();
-		double newWidth = columnGap->value() / m_unitRatio;
-		double newGap = qMax(((textItem->width() - textItem->textToFrameDistLeft() - textItem->textToFrameDistRight() - lineCorr) - (newWidth * textItem->m_columns)) / (textItem->m_columns - 1), 0.0);
-		textItem->setColumnGap(newGap);
+		const QVector<TextColumnGeometry> geometry = textItem->columnGeometry();
+		double widthTotal = 0.0;
+		for (const TextColumnGeometry& column : geometry)
+			widthTotal += column.width;
+		if (widthTotal <= 0.0)
+		{
+			updateColumnControls(textItem);
+			return;
+		}
+		layout.custom = true;
+		layout.widthRatios.clear();
+		layout.gaps.clear();
+		for (const TextColumnGeometry& column : geometry)
+			layout.widthRatios.append(column.width / widthTotal);
+		for (int column = 1; column < layout.columnCount; ++column)
+			layout.gaps.append(layout.columnGap);
 	}
-	textItem->update();
-	if (m_doc->appMode == modeEditTable)
-		m_item->asTable()->update();
-	m_doc->regionsChanged()->update(QRect());
+	else if (index == 0 && layout.custom)
+	{
+		if (!layout.gaps.isEmpty())
+		{
+			layout.columnGap = 0.0;
+			for (double gap : std::as_const(layout.gaps))
+				layout.columnGap += gap;
+			layout.columnGap /= layout.gaps.size();
+		}
+		layout.custom = false;
+		layout.widthRatios.clear();
+		layout.gaps.clear();
+	}
+	textItem->setTextColumnLayout(layout);
+	updateTextFrame(textItem);
 }
 
-void PropertyWidget_Distance::handleGapSwitch()
+void PropertyWidget_Distance::handleCustomColumn()
 {
-	if (!m_doc || !m_item || !m_ScMW || m_ScMW->scriptIsRunning())
+	if (PageItem_TextFrame* textItem = currentTextFrame())
+		updateColumnControls(textItem);
+}
+
+void PropertyWidget_Distance::handlePreviewColumn(int column)
+{
+	QSignalBlocker blocker(customColumn);
+	customColumn->setValue(column + 1);
+	if (PageItem_TextFrame* textItem = currentTextFrame())
+		updateColumnControls(textItem);
+}
+
+void PropertyWidget_Distance::handleCustomWidth()
+{
+	PageItem_TextFrame* textItem = currentTextFrame();
+	if (!textItem || !textItem->hasCustomTextColumns())
 		return;
 
-	const PageItem *textItem = m_item;
-	if (m_doc->appMode == modeEditTable)
-		textItem = m_item->asTable()->activeCell().textFrame();
-	if (textItem != nullptr)
-		showColumns(textItem->m_columns, textItem->m_columnGap);
+	TextColumnLayout layout = textItem->textColumnLayout();
+	const int column = qBound(0, static_cast<int>(customColumn->value()) - 1, layout.columnCount - 1);
+	const int neighbour = (column + 1 < layout.columnCount) ? column + 1 : column - 1;
+	if (neighbour < 0)
+		return;
 
-	int index = columnGapCombo->currentIndex();
-	columnGap->setToolTip((index == 0) ? tr( "Distance between columns" ) : tr( "Column width" ));
+	const QVector<TextColumnGeometry> geometry = textItem->columnGeometry();
+	QVector<double> widths;
+	QVector<double> gaps;
+	widths.reserve(geometry.size());
+	for (const TextColumnGeometry& value : geometry)
+		widths.append(value.width);
+	for (int i = 0; i + 1 < geometry.size(); ++i)
+		gaps.append(qMax(0.0, geometry.at(i + 1).left - geometry.at(i).left - geometry.at(i).width));
+	layout.gaps = gaps;
+	if (widthAdjustment->currentIndex() == 1 && widths.size() > 2)
+	{
+		double widthTotal = 0.0;
+		for (double width : std::as_const(widths))
+			widthTotal += width;
+		const double newWidth = qBound(0.01, customWidth->value() / m_unitRatio,
+			qMax(0.01, widthTotal - 0.01 * (widths.size() - 1)));
+		const double otherWidth = (widthTotal - newWidth) / (widths.size() - 1);
+		for (int i = 0; i < widths.size(); ++i)
+			widths[i] = (i == column) ? newWidth : otherWidth;
+	}
+	else
+	{
+		const double available = widths.at(column) + widths.at(neighbour);
+		const double newWidth = qBound(0.01, customWidth->value() / m_unitRatio, qMax(0.01, available - 0.01));
+		widths[neighbour] = available - newWidth;
+		widths[column] = newWidth;
+	}
+	double widthTotal = 0.0;
+	for (double width : std::as_const(widths))
+		widthTotal += width;
+	for (int i = 0; i < widths.size(); ++i)
+		layout.widthRatios[i] = widths.at(i) / widthTotal;
+	textItem->setTextColumnLayout(layout);
+	updateTextFrame(textItem);
+}
+
+void PropertyWidget_Distance::handleCustomGap()
+{
+	PageItem_TextFrame* textItem = currentTextFrame();
+	if (!textItem || !textItem->hasCustomTextColumns())
+		return;
+
+	TextColumnLayout layout = textItem->textColumnLayout();
+	const int column = qBound(0, static_cast<int>(customColumn->value()) - 1, layout.columnCount - 1);
+	if (column >= layout.gaps.size() && !equalGaps->isChecked())
+		return;
+
+	const QVector<TextColumnGeometry> geometry = textItem->columnGeometry();
+	QVector<double> widths;
+	QVector<double> gaps;
+	widths.reserve(geometry.size());
+	for (const TextColumnGeometry& value : geometry)
+		widths.append(value.width);
+	for (int i = 0; i + 1 < geometry.size(); ++i)
+		gaps.append(qMax(0.0, geometry.at(i + 1).left - geometry.at(i).left - geometry.at(i).width));
+	layout.gaps = gaps;
+	if (equalGaps->isChecked())
+	{
+		double widthTotal = 0.0;
+		for (double width : std::as_const(widths))
+			widthTotal += width;
+		for (int i = 0; i < widths.size(); ++i)
+			layout.widthRatios[i] = widths.at(i) / widthTotal;
+		const double contentWidth = widthTotal + std::accumulate(gaps.cbegin(), gaps.cend(), 0.0);
+		const double maximumGap = qMax(0.0, (contentWidth - 0.01 * widths.size()) / gaps.size());
+		const double newGap = qBound(0.0, customGap->value() / m_unitRatio, maximumGap);
+		std::fill(layout.gaps.begin(), layout.gaps.end(), newGap);
+		textItem->setTextColumnLayout(layout);
+		updateTextFrame(textItem);
+		return;
+	}
+	const double oldGap = layout.gaps.at(column);
+	const double newGap = qBound(0.0, customGap->value() / m_unitRatio,
+		oldGap + qMax(0.0, widths.at(column + 1) - 0.01));
+	widths[column + 1] -= newGap - oldGap;
+	layout.gaps[column] = newGap;
+	double widthTotal = 0.0;
+	for (double width : std::as_const(widths))
+		widthTotal += width;
+	for (int i = 0; i < widths.size(); ++i)
+		layout.widthRatios[i] = widths.at(i) / widthTotal;
+	textItem->setTextColumnLayout(layout);
+	updateTextFrame(textItem);
+}
+
+void PropertyWidget_Distance::handleEqualGaps(bool enabled)
+{
+	PageItem_TextFrame* textItem = currentTextFrame();
+	if (!textItem || !textItem->hasCustomTextColumns())
+		return;
+	if (!enabled)
+	{
+		updateColumnControls(textItem);
+		return;
+	}
+
+	TextColumnLayout layout = textItem->textColumnLayout();
+	const QVector<TextColumnGeometry> geometry = textItem->columnGeometry();
+	if (geometry.size() < 3)
+		return;
+	QVector<double> widths;
+	QVector<double> gaps;
+	for (const TextColumnGeometry& value : geometry)
+		widths.append(value.width);
+	for (int i = 0; i + 1 < geometry.size(); ++i)
+		gaps.append(qMax(0.0, geometry.at(i + 1).left - geometry.at(i).left - geometry.at(i).width));
+	const int column = qBound(0, static_cast<int>(customColumn->value()) - 1, static_cast<int>(geometry.size()) - 1);
+	const double gap = gaps.at(qMin(column, static_cast<int>(gaps.size()) - 1));
+	std::fill(gaps.begin(), gaps.end(), gap);
+	double widthTotal = std::accumulate(widths.cbegin(), widths.cend(), 0.0);
+	for (int i = 0; i < widths.size(); ++i)
+		layout.widthRatios[i] = widths.at(i) / widthTotal;
+	layout.gaps = gaps;
+	textItem->setTextColumnLayout(layout);
+	updateTextFrame(textItem);
 }
 
 void PropertyWidget_Distance::handleTabs()
@@ -374,7 +706,7 @@
 	if (tItem == nullptr)
 		return;
 	const ParagraphStyle& style(m_doc->appMode == modeEdit ? tItem->currentStyle() : tItem->itemText.defaultStyle());
-	TabManager *dia = new TabManager(this, m_doc->unitIndex(), style.tabValues(), tItem->columnWidth());
+	TabManager *dia = new TabManager(this, m_doc->unitIndex(), style.tabValues(), minimumTextColumnWidth(tItem));
 	if (dia->exec())
 	{
 		if (m_doc->appMode != modeEdit)
@@ -467,17 +799,12 @@
 {
 	retranslateUi(this);
 
-	QSignalBlocker columnGapLabelBlocker(columnGapCombo);
-	int oldColGapLabel = columnGapCombo->currentIndex();
-	columnGapCombo->clear();
-	columnGapCombo->addItem( tr("Gap:"));
-	columnGapCombo->addItem( tr("Width:"));
-	columnGapCombo->setCurrentIndex(oldColGapLabel);
-
 	QString ptSuffix = tr(" pt");
 	QString suffix = (m_doc) ? unitGetSuffixFromIndex(m_doc->unitIndex()) : ptSuffix;
 
 	columnGap->setSuffix(suffix);
+	customWidth->setSuffix(suffix);
+	customGap->setSuffix(suffix);
 	firstLineIndentSpin->setSuffix(suffix);
 	leftIndentSpin->setSuffix(suffix);
 	rightIndentSpin->setSuffix(suffix);
@@ -489,6 +816,21 @@
 	leftIndentLabel->setToolTip(leftIndentSpin->toolTip());
 	rightIndentLabel->setToolTip(rightIndentSpin->toolTip());
 	tabsButton->setToolTip(tr("Edit tab settings of text frame..."));
+	columnLayout->setToolTip(tr("Use equal or individually sized columns"));
+	columnLayoutLabel->setToolTip(columnLayout->toolTip());
+	widthAdjustment->setToolTip(tr("How width changes are distributed"));
+	widthAdjustment->setItemData(0, tr("Take or return space from the adjacent column"), Qt::ToolTipRole);
+	widthAdjustment->setItemData(1, tr("Divide the remaining width equally among all other columns"), Qt::ToolTipRole);
+	widthAdjustmentLabel->setToolTip(widthAdjustment->toolTip());
+	equalGaps->setToolTip(tr("Use the selected gap value between all columns"));
+	columnGap->setToolTip(tr("Space between columns"));
+	columnGapLabel->setToolTip(columnGap->toolTip());
+	customColumn->setToolTip(tr("Physical column to edit, numbered from left to right"));
+	customColumnLabel->setToolTip(customColumn->toolTip());
+	customWidth->setToolTip(tr("Width of the selected column"));
+	customWidthLabel->setToolTip(customWidth->toolTip());
+	customGap->setToolTip(tr("Space after the selected column"));
+	customGapLabel->setToolTip(customGap->toolTip());
 	gapBeforeLabel->setToolTip(tr("Space above a paragraph"));
 	gapAfterLabel->setToolTip(tr("Space below a paragraph"));
 }
@@ -498,8 +840,10 @@
 	if (!m_doc)
 		return;
 
 	QSignalBlocker columnGapBlocker(columnGap);
+	QSignalBlocker customWidthBlocker(customWidth);
+	QSignalBlocker customGapBlocker(customGap);
 	QSignalBlocker distancesBlocker(distanceWidget);
 	QSignalBlocker numberFirstLineIndentBlocker(firstLineIndentSpin);
 	QSignalBlocker numberLeftIndentBlocker(leftIndentSpin);
 	QSignalBlocker numberRightIndentBlocker(rightIndentSpin);
@@ -508,6 +852,8 @@
 	m_unitIndex = m_doc->unitIndex();
 
 	columnGap->setNewUnit(m_unitIndex);
+	customWidth->setNewUnit(m_unitIndex);
+	customGap->setNewUnit(m_unitIndex);
 	distanceWidget->setNewUnit(m_unitIndex);
 	firstLineIndentSpin->setNewUnit(m_unitIndex);
 	leftIndentSpin->setNewUnit(m_unitIndex);
@@ -518,6 +862,9 @@
 {
 	const QLocale& l(LocaleManager::instance().userPreferredLocale());
 	columnGap->setLocale(l);
+	customColumn->setLocale(l);
+	customWidth->setLocale(l);
+	customGap->setLocale(l);
 	distanceWidget->setLocale(l);
 	firstLineIndentSpin->setLocale(l);
 	leftIndentSpin->setLocale(l);
@@ -528,9 +875,14 @@
 
 void PropertyWidget_Distance::toggleLabelVisibility(bool v)
 {
-	columnGapSizeLabel->setLabelVisibility(v);
 	columnGapLabel->setLabelVisibility(v);
 	columnsLabel->setLabelVisibility(v);
+	columnLayoutLabel->setLabelVisibility(v);
+	widthAdjustmentLabel->setLabelVisibility(v);
+	customColumnLabel->setLabelVisibility(v);
+	customWidthLabel->setLabelVisibility(v);
+	customGapLabel->setLabelVisibility(v);
+	equalGapsLabel->setLabelVisibility(v);
 	firstLineIndentLabel->setLabelVisibility(v);
 	leftIndentLabel->setLabelVisibility(v);
 	rightIndentLabel->setLabelVisibility(v);
Index: scribus/ui/textcolumnpreview.h
===================================================================
--- scribus/ui/textcolumnpreview.h	(nonexistent)
+++ scribus/ui/textcolumnpreview.h	(working copy)
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+#ifndef TEXTCOLUMNPREVIEW_H
+#define TEXTCOLUMNPREVIEW_H
+
+#include <QAbstractScrollArea>
+#include <QVector>
+
+#include "scribusapi.h"
+
+class SCRIBUS_API TextColumnPreview : public QAbstractScrollArea
+{
+	Q_OBJECT
+
+public:
+	explicit TextColumnPreview(QWidget* parent = nullptr);
+	void setGeometry(const QVector<double>& widths, const QVector<double>& gaps);
+	int selectedColumn() const { return m_selectedColumn; }
+	void setSelectedColumn(int column);
+	void setEqualGaps(bool enabled);
+
+signals:
+	void selectedColumnChanged(int column);
+
+protected:
+	void keyPressEvent(QKeyEvent* event) override;
+	void mousePressEvent(QMouseEvent* event) override;
+	void mouseMoveEvent(QMouseEvent* event) override;
+	void leaveEvent(QEvent* event) override;
+	void paintEvent(QPaintEvent* event) override;
+	void resizeEvent(QResizeEvent* event) override;
+	void wheelEvent(QWheelEvent* event) override;
+
+private:
+	void updateScrollBar();
+	QRectF columnRect(int column) const;
+	int columnAt(const QPointF& position) const;
+	double contentScale() const;
+	int contentWidth() const;
+
+	QVector<double> m_widths;
+	QVector<double> m_gaps;
+	int m_selectedColumn { 0 };
+	int m_hoveredColumn { -1 };
+	bool m_equalGaps {false};
+};
+
+#endif
Index: scribus/ui/textcolumnpreview.cpp
===================================================================
--- scribus/ui/textcolumnpreview.cpp	(nonexistent)
+++ scribus/ui/textcolumnpreview.cpp	(working copy)
@@ -0,0 +1,183 @@
+#include "textcolumnpreview.h"
+
+#include <QKeyEvent>
+#include <QMouseEvent>
+#include <QPainter>
+#include <QScrollBar>
+#include <QWheelEvent>
+
+TextColumnPreview::TextColumnPreview(QWidget* parent) : QAbstractScrollArea(parent)
+{
+	setFocusPolicy(Qt::StrongFocus);
+	setMouseTracking(true);
+	setFrameShape(QFrame::StyledPanel);
+	setHorizontalScrollBarPolicy(Qt::ScrollBarAsNeeded);
+	setVerticalScrollBarPolicy(Qt::ScrollBarAlwaysOff);
+	setFixedHeight(70);
+	setAccessibleName(tr("Column layout preview"));
+}
+
+void TextColumnPreview::setEqualGaps(bool enabled)
+{
+	if (m_equalGaps == enabled)
+		return;
+	m_equalGaps = enabled;
+	viewport()->update();
+}
+
+void TextColumnPreview::setGeometry(const QVector<double>& widths, const QVector<double>& gaps)
+{
+	m_widths = widths;
+	m_gaps = gaps;
+	m_selectedColumn = qBound(0, m_selectedColumn, qMax(0, m_widths.size() - 1));
+	updateScrollBar();
+	viewport()->update();
+}
+
+void TextColumnPreview::setSelectedColumn(int column)
+{
+	column = qBound(0, column, qMax(0, m_widths.size() - 1));
+	const bool changed = column != m_selectedColumn;
+	m_selectedColumn = column;
+	setAccessibleDescription(tr("Column %1 of %2 selected").arg(column + 1).arg(m_widths.size()));
+	const QRectF rect = columnRect(column);
+	horizontalScrollBar()->setValue(qBound(horizontalScrollBar()->minimum(),
+		static_cast<int>(rect.center().x() - viewport()->width() / 2.0), horizontalScrollBar()->maximum()));
+	viewport()->update();
+	if (changed)
+		emit selectedColumnChanged(column);
+}
+
+int TextColumnPreview::contentWidth() const
+{
+	return qMax(viewport()->width() - 12, m_widths.size() * 32);
+}
+
+double TextColumnPreview::contentScale() const
+{
+	double total = 0.0;
+	for (double width : m_widths) total += width;
+	for (double gap : m_gaps) total += gap;
+	return total > 0.0 ? contentWidth() / total : 1.0;
+}
+
+QRectF TextColumnPreview::columnRect(int column) const
+{
+	double x = 6.0 - horizontalScrollBar()->value();
+	const double scale = contentScale();
+	for (int i = 0; i < column; ++i)
+		x += (m_widths.value(i) + m_gaps.value(i)) * scale;
+	return QRectF(x, 7, m_widths.value(column) * scale, qMax(1, viewport()->height() - 14));
+}
+
+int TextColumnPreview::columnAt(const QPointF& position) const
+{
+	for (int i = 0; i < m_widths.size(); ++i)
+	{
+		const QRectF rect = columnRect(i);
+		if (rect.adjusted(-3, 0, 3, 0).contains(position))
+			return i;
+		if (i < m_gaps.size())
+		{
+			const double gapWidth = qMax(2.0, m_gaps.at(i) * contentScale());
+			if (QRectF(rect.right(), rect.top(), gapWidth, rect.height()).contains(position))
+				return i;
+		}
+	}
+	return -1;
+}
+
+void TextColumnPreview::updateScrollBar()
+{
+	const int overflow = qMax(0, contentWidth() - qMax(0, viewport()->width() - 12));
+	horizontalScrollBar()->setRange(0, overflow);
+	horizontalScrollBar()->setPageStep(viewport()->width());
+}
+
+void TextColumnPreview::paintEvent(QPaintEvent*)
+{
+	QPainter painter(viewport());
+	painter.fillRect(viewport()->rect(), palette().brush(QPalette::Window));
+	for (int i = 0; i < m_widths.size(); ++i)
+	{
+		QRectF rect = columnRect(i);
+		painter.fillRect(rect, palette().brush(QPalette::Base));
+		if (i == m_selectedColumn)
+		{
+			QColor fill = palette().color(QPalette::Highlight); fill.setAlphaF(0.28);
+			painter.fillRect(rect, fill);
+		}
+		QColor outline = palette().color(i == m_selectedColumn || i == m_hoveredColumn ? QPalette::Highlight : QPalette::Text);
+		if (i == m_selectedColumn)
+			outline.setAlphaF(0.58);
+		else if (i == m_hoveredColumn)
+			outline.setAlphaF(0.30);
+		else
+			outline.setAlphaF(0.28);
+		painter.setPen(outline);
+		painter.drawRect(rect.adjusted(0, 0, -1, -1));
+		if (i < m_gaps.size() && (m_equalGaps || i == m_selectedColumn))
+		{
+			QColor fill = palette().color(QPalette::Highlight);
+			fill.setAlphaF(i == m_selectedColumn ? 0.34 : 0.19);
+			const double gapWidth = qMax(2.0, m_gaps.at(i) * contentScale());
+			painter.fillRect(QRectF(rect.right(), rect.top(), gapWidth, rect.height()), fill);
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+void TextColumnPreview::mousePressEvent(QMouseEvent* event)
+{
+	const int column = columnAt(event->position());
+	if (column >= 0)
+		setSelectedColumn(column);
+	setFocus();
+}
+
+void TextColumnPreview::mouseMoveEvent(QMouseEvent* event)
+{
+	const int column = columnAt(event->position());
+	if (column != m_hoveredColumn)
+	{
+		m_hoveredColumn = column;
+		viewport()->setCursor(column >= 0 ? Qt::PointingHandCursor : Qt::ArrowCursor);
+		setToolTip(column >= 0 ? tr("Column %1 — click to edit").arg(column + 1) : QString());
+		viewport()->update();
+	}
+}
+
+void TextColumnPreview::leaveEvent(QEvent* event)
+{
+	m_hoveredColumn = -1;
+	viewport()->setCursor(Qt::ArrowCursor);
+	viewport()->update();
+	QAbstractScrollArea::leaveEvent(event);
+}
+
+void TextColumnPreview::keyPressEvent(QKeyEvent* event)
+{
+	int column = m_selectedColumn;
+	if (event->key() == Qt::Key_Left) --column;
+	else if (event->key() == Qt::Key_Right) ++column;
+	else if (event->key() == Qt::Key_Home) column = 0;
+	else if (event->key() == Qt::Key_End) column = m_widths.size() - 1;
+	else { QAbstractScrollArea::keyPressEvent(event); return; }
+	setSelectedColumn(column);
+}
+
+void TextColumnPreview::wheelEvent(QWheelEvent* event)
+{
+	if (horizontalScrollBar()->maximum() <= 0)
+	{
+		event->ignore();
+		return;
+	}
+	horizontalScrollBar()->setValue(horizontalScrollBar()->value() - event->angleDelta().y());
+	event->accept();
+}
+
+void TextColumnPreview::resizeEvent(QResizeEvent* event)
+{
+	QAbstractScrollArea::resizeEvent(event);
+	updateScrollBar();
+}
Index: scribus/ui/hruler.h
===================================================================
--- scribus/ui/hruler.h	(revision 27829)
+++ scribus/ui/hruler.h	(working copy)
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@
 
 #include <QWidget>
 
+#include "pageitem.h"
 #include "scribusapi.h"
 #include "styles/paragraphstyle.h"
 
@@ -110,7 +111,7 @@
 	bool m_reverse {false};
 	bool m_rtl {false};
 	bool m_textEditMode {false};
-	double m_colGap {0.0};
+	QVector<TextColumnGeometry> m_columnGeometry;
 	double m_cor {0.0};
 	double m_distLeft {0.0};
 	double m_distRight {0.0};
@@ -125,7 +126,6 @@
 	double m_offset {0.0};
 	double m_rightMargin {0.0};
 	double m_scaling {0.0};
-	int m_cols {0};
 	int m_currCol {1};
 	int m_currTab {0};
 	int m_mouseX {0};
Index: scribus/ui/hruler.cpp
===================================================================
--- scribus/ui/hruler.cpp	(revision 27829)
+++ scribus/ui/hruler.cpp	(working copy)
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
  ***************************************************************************/
 
 #include <cmath>
+#include <utility>
 
 #include <QCursor>
 #include <QMouseEvent>
@@ -100,11 +101,12 @@
 double Hruler::localToTextPos(int x) const
 {
 	double canvasPos = (x + m_view->contentsX()) / m_scaling;
-	if (m_rtl && m_currItem)
+	if (m_currItem && !m_columnGeometry.isEmpty() && m_currCol > 0)
 	{
-		double colWidth = (textWidth() - m_colGap * (m_cols - 1)) / m_cols;
-		double colEnd = textBase() + (colWidth + m_colGap) * (m_currCol - 1.0) + colWidth;
-		return colEnd - canvasPos;
+		const TextColumnGeometry& column = m_columnGeometry.at(qBound(0, m_currCol - 1, static_cast<int>(m_columnGeometry.size()) - 1));
+		if (m_rtl)
+			return textBase() + column.left + column.width - canvasPos;
+		return canvasPos - textBase() - column.left;
 	}
 	return canvasPos - textBase();
 }
@@ -139,13 +141,12 @@
 	if (pos + 1 < (mx + grabRadius) && pos + 1 > (mx - grabRadius))
 		result = rc_rightFrameDist;
 	
-	double colWidth = (textWidth() - m_colGap * (m_cols - 1)) / m_cols;
-	
 	m_currCol = 0;
-	for (int currCol = 0; currCol < m_cols; ++currCol)
+	for (int currCol = 0; currCol < m_columnGeometry.size(); ++currCol)
 	{
-		pos = textPosToLocal((colWidth + m_colGap) * currCol);
-		fpo = QRect(pos, topline, static_cast<int>(colWidth * m_scaling), rulerheight);
+		const TextColumnGeometry& column = m_columnGeometry.at(currCol);
+		pos = textPosToLocal(column.left);
+		fpo = QRect(pos, topline, static_cast<int>(column.width * m_scaling), rulerheight);
 		if (fpo.contains(mp))
 		{
 			m_currCol = currCol + 1;
@@ -153,12 +154,11 @@
 		}
 	}
 	if (m_currCol == 0)
-	{
-		m_currCol = 1;
 		return result;
-	}
 	
-	double colOffset = (colWidth + m_colGap) * (m_currCol - 1.0);
+	const TextColumnGeometry& column = m_columnGeometry.at(m_currCol - 1);
+	double colOffset = column.left;
+	double colWidth = column.width;
 	double colEnd    = colOffset + colWidth;
 
 	// Map a logical value (distance from logical start) to canvas text position
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@
 		return rc_leftMargin;
 
 	// Right Margin handle — rightMargin is always from the logical end side
-	pos = textPosToLocal(colOffset + m_rightMargin);
+	pos = textPosToLocal(logicalToCanvas(colWidth - m_rightMargin));
 	fpo = QRect(m_rtl ? (pos - 1) : (pos - grabRadius), midline, grabRadius, rulerheight / 2);
 	if (fpo.contains(mp))
 		return rc_rightMargin;
@@ -254,7 +254,6 @@
 		{
 			bool mustApplyStyle = false;
 			ParagraphStyle paraStyle;
-			double colWidth = (textWidth() - m_colGap * (m_cols - 1)) / m_cols;
 			switch (m_rulerCode)
 			{
 				case rc_leftFrameDist:
@@ -277,7 +276,7 @@
 					emit DocChanged(false);
 					break;
 				case rc_rightMargin:
-					paraStyle.setRightMargin(colWidth - m_rightMargin);
+					paraStyle.setRightMargin(m_rightMargin);
 					mustApplyStyle = true;
 					emit DocChanged(false);
 					break;
@@ -344,7 +343,8 @@
 	if (m_textEditMode)
 	{
 		int colStart, colEnd;
-		double colWidth = (textWidth() - m_colGap * (m_cols - 1)) / m_cols;
+		const TextColumnGeometry& column = m_columnGeometry.at(qBound(0, m_currCol - 1, static_cast<int>(m_columnGeometry.size()) - 1));
+		double colWidth = column.width;
 		double oldInd;
 		if (m_rulerCode == rc_leftFrameDist || m_rulerCode == rc_rightFrameDist)
 		{
@@ -353,15 +353,19 @@
 		}
 		else
 		{
-			colStart = textPosToLocal((colWidth + m_colGap) * (m_currCol - 1.0));
-			colEnd   = textPosToLocal((colWidth + m_colGap) * (m_currCol - 1.0) + colWidth);
+			colStart = textPosToLocal(column.left);
+			colEnd   = textPosToLocal(column.left + column.width);
 		}
 		QPointF mousePos = m->position();
 		if (m_mousePressed && (mousePos.y() < height()) && (mousePos.y() > 0) && (mousePos.x() > colStart - m_doc->guidesPrefs().grabRadius) && (mousePos.x() < colEnd + m_doc->guidesPrefs().grabRadius))
 		{
 			QApplication::changeOverrideCursor(QCursor(Qt::SizeHorCursor));
-			double toplimit = textWidth() + m_distRight - (m_colGap * (m_cols - 1.0)) - 1.0;
-			double toplimit2 = textWidth() + m_distLeft - (m_colGap * (m_cols - 1.0)) - 1.0;
+			double totalColumnWidth = 0.0;
+			for (const TextColumnGeometry& value : std::as_const(m_columnGeometry))
+				totalColumnWidth += value.width;
+			const double totalGap = qMax(0.0, textWidth() - totalColumnWidth);
+			double toplimit = textWidth() + m_distRight - totalGap - 1.0;
+			double toplimit2 = textWidth() + m_distLeft - totalGap - 1.0;
 			// In RTL dragging right moves away from the logical start (right edge),
 			// so negate the delta for all logical-position markers.
 			double dx = (m_mouseX - mousePos.x()) / m_scaling;
@@ -370,11 +374,11 @@
 			// canvas-relative position (distance from textBase) for MarkerMoved.
 			// In LTR: canvasRel = logicalValue (distance from left edge)
 			// In RTL:  canvasRel = colEnd - textBase() - logicalValue
-			double colOffset = (colWidth + m_colGap) * (m_currCol - 1.0);
+			double colOffset = column.left;
 			auto toCanvasRel = [&](double logicalValue) -> double {
 				if (m_rtl)
 					return colOffset + colWidth - logicalValue;
-				return logicalValue;
+				return colOffset + logicalValue;
 			};
 			switch (m_rulerCode)
 			{
@@ -417,12 +421,12 @@
 					repaint();
 					break;
 				case rc_rightMargin:
-					m_rightMargin -= logicalDx;
+					m_rightMargin += logicalDx;
 					if (m_rightMargin < 0)
 						m_rightMargin = 0;
 					if (m_rightMargin > colWidth - 1)
 						m_rightMargin  = colWidth - 1;
-					emit MarkerMoved(textBase(), toCanvasRel(m_rightMargin));
+					emit MarkerMoved(textBase(), toCanvasRel(colWidth - m_rightMargin));
 					repaint();
 					break;
 				case rc_tab:
@@ -499,7 +503,10 @@
 			return;
 
 		const ParagraphStyle& style(m_doc->appMode == modeEdit ? tItem->currentStyle() : tItem->itemText.defaultStyle());
-		TabManager *dia = new TabManager(this, m_doc->unitIndex(), style.tabValues(), tItem->columnWidth());
+		double minimumColumnWidth = 0.0;
+		for (const TextColumnGeometry& column : tItem->columnGeometry())
+			minimumColumnWidth = minimumColumnWidth == 0.0 ? column.width : qMin(minimumColumnWidth, column.width);
+		TabManager *dia = new TabManager(this, m_doc->unitIndex(), style.tabValues(), minimumColumnWidth);
 		dia->setRtl(m_rtl);
 		if (dia->exec())
 		{
@@ -551,10 +558,10 @@
 			p.translate( textPosToLocal(m_distLeft) - textPosToLocal(m_itemEndPos - m_itemPos - m_distRight), 0);
 			p.translate(-textPosToLocal(0), 0);
 		}
-		for (int currCol = 0; currCol < m_cols; ++currCol)
+		for (const TextColumnGeometry& column : std::as_const(m_columnGeometry))
 		{
-			double colWidth = (textWidth() - m_colGap * (m_cols - 1.0)) / m_cols;
-			double pos = (colWidth + m_colGap) * currCol;
+			double colWidth = column.width;
+			double pos = column.left;
 			double endPos = pos + colWidth;
 
 			p.fillRect(QRect(QPoint(textPosToLocal(pos), 0), QPoint(textPosToLocal(endPos), bottomline)), backgroundColor);
@@ -587,7 +594,7 @@
 				p.drawPolygon(cr2);
 
 				// Right Margin (logical end = left side), triangle opens right
-				xPos = textPosToLocal(endPos - m_rightMargin);
+				xPos = textPosToLocal(pos + m_rightMargin);
 				QPolygon cr3;
 				cr3.setPoints(3, xPos, tabline, xPos + 8, tabline, xPos, bottomline);
 				p.drawPolygon(cr3);
@@ -661,7 +668,7 @@
 				p.drawPolygon(cr2);
 
 				// Right Margin
-				xPos = textPosToLocal(pos + m_rightMargin);
+				xPos = textPosToLocal(endPos - m_rightMargin);
 				QPolygon cr3;
 				cr3.setPoints(3, xPos - 8, tabline, xPos, tabline, xPos, bottomline);
 				p.drawPolygon(cr3);
@@ -972,18 +979,23 @@
 		m_lineCorr = item->lineWidth() / 2.0;
 	else
 		m_lineCorr = 0;
-	m_colGap = item->m_columnGap;
-	m_cols = item->m_columns;
 	m_distLeft  = item->textToFrameDistLeft();
 	m_distRight = item->textToFrameDistRight();
+	m_columnGeometry.clear();
+	if (const PageItem_TextFrame* textFrame = item->asTextFrame())
+	{
+		m_columnGeometry = textFrame->columnGeometry();
+		const double contentLeft = m_distLeft + m_lineCorr;
+		for (TextColumnGeometry& column : m_columnGeometry)
+			column.left -= contentLeft;
+	}
+	if (m_columnGeometry.isEmpty())
+		m_columnGeometry.append(TextColumnGeometry { 0.0, textWidth() });
 
 	const ParagraphStyle& currentStyle = item->currentStyle();
 	m_firstIndent = currentStyle.firstIndent();
 	m_leftMargin = currentStyle.leftMargin();
-	double columnWidth = (item->width() - (item->columnGap() * (item->columns() - 1.0))
-						  - item->textToFrameDistLeft() - item->textToFrameDistLeft()
-						  - 2 * m_lineCorr) / item->columns();
-	m_rightMargin = columnWidth - currentStyle.rightMargin();
+	m_rightMargin = currentStyle.rightMargin();
 	m_reverse = item->imageFlippedH();
 	setRtl(item->currentStyle().direction() == ParagraphStyle::RTL);
 	m_textEditMode = true;
Index: resources/iconsets/1_7_0/1_7_0.xml
===================================================================
--- resources/iconsets/1_7_0/1_7_0.xml	(revision 27829)
+++ resources/iconsets/1_7_0/1_7_0.xml	(working copy)
@@ -545,6 +545,7 @@
 		<icon id="paragraph-align-top" file="16/paragraph-align-top.svg" />
 		<icon id="paragraph-align-vertical-center" file="16/paragraph-align-vertical-center.svg" />
 		<icon id="paragraph-columns" file="16/paragraph-columns.svg" />
+		<icon id="paragraph-column-gap" file="16/paragraph-column-gap.svg" />
 		<icon id="paragraph-effects-style" file="16/paragraph-effects-style.svg" />
 		<icon id="paragraph-indent-firstline" file="16/paragraph-firstline.svg" />
 		<icon id="paragraph-indent-left" file="16/paragraph-indent-left.svg" />	
Index: resources/iconsets/1_7_0/16/paragraph-column-gap.svg
===================================================================
--- resources/iconsets/1_7_0/16/paragraph-column-gap.svg	(nonexistent)
+++ resources/iconsets/1_7_0/16/paragraph-column-gap.svg	(working copy)
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+<svg width="16" height="16" viewBox="0 0 16 16" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><style>@import '../colors.css';</style>
+<path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M1 2h5v12H1V2Zm1 1v10h3V3H2Zm8-1h5v12h-5V2Zm1 1v10h3V3h-3Z"/>
+<path d="M7 7h2v2H7V7Z" class="error"/>
+</svg>