A computer-implemented method and computer-readable medium are provided for generating a multiple column layout. According to the method, a layout is defined that includes two or more columns and one or more spans that extend across two or more of the columns. Each span is defined as being either content defined or height defined. Content is laid out from a document in each span that is height defined until a defined height is reached. Content is laid out from the document in each span that is content defined until a specified point in the content is reached. When all content or height defined spans have been laid out, the remaining portion of the content is laid out across all of the columns.