A method for managing multiple columns in a document. The method includes obtaining a text stream from the document; obtaining a current fill limit associated with an initial column of the multiple columns; placing, using a layout engine, the text stream within the multiple columns according to the current fill limit; identifying, after placing the text stream, a first fill level of a final column of the multiple columns; calculating a first difference between the current fill limit and the first fill level of the final column; calculating, in response to the first difference exceeding a tolerance, a revised fill limit based on the current fill limit; placing, using the layout engine, the text stream within the multiple columns according to the revised fill limit.