A method for automatically generating column layouts comprises obtaining, by a page layout computer, source code of an electronic document comprising content; in response to a request to activate a page layout of the electronic document and before receiving a first input indicating a modification to a layout of the electronic document, automatically inserting, by the page layout computer, a coded hierarchy into the source code of the electronic document specifying at least one column within which the content is automatically inserted into a particular column of the at least one column; receiving, by the page layout computer, the first input indicating the modification to the layout of the electronic document; based on the first input and by the page layout computer, modifying the coded hierarchy to represent the modification to the layout.