Balance columns checkmark not working?

[Serif Since v1]

In the Text Frame Studio, there are options for setting the width of individual columns and the gutter. There is also a "Balance Columns" checkmark.

In a 8" wide 2 column text box, for example, if I have the gutter set to 0.5", I end up with 2 columns at 3.75" each. If I alter one of them, to let's say, 4", then the entire text frame width changes to 8.25". If I then check the "Balance Columns" checkbox, I would expect it to automatically balance the columns based on the text frame width, now 8.25". In the Help section, it actually says, "tick this checkbox to automatically balance columns of text regardless of size." But it doesn't change anything by simply checking/unchecking the box.

The only way I can get the columns to be balanced again is to change the number of columns back down to 1 and then back up again. If I do this when Balance Columns" is checked, it works great. Not sure if this is by design or not.

[Aammppaa]

You are misunderstanding what Balance Text is designed to do.

It balances the length of the text within each column, regardless of the width of each column or the number of columns.

In the GIF I have some text, add a 2nd column, initially with Balance Columns enabled, so the text is always roughly the same length on each side.

In the second half of the animation, I turn off Balance Columns, so the text is mostly in the left hand column.

It does not balance the width of the columns themselves.

[Serif Since v1]

Ah! Thank you for that excellent clarification. You are correct - I assumed it balanced the width of the columns.

[Wim Daniels]

@Aammppaa

then the label of the option should not say 'Balance columns' but 'Balance text'. It may help prevent confusion in this area.

At least that's what I see on my macOs version.

[Aammppaa]

I agree the lable is misleading. 

Are you saying that the label already says balance text on Mac? 

[Wim Daniels]

@Aammppaa no, on the Mac version it says 'Balance columns'. As obviously it does on Windows as well. 

[Serif Since v1]

Agree with that recommendation. "Balance Text" would be much clearer and more accurate.