fix2col

Provides historical fixes for two-column document mode features, though now obsolete as its functionality is integrated into modern LaTeX.

Overview

Originally developed to address specific issues in two-column LaTeX documents, particularly mark handling and float sequencing. While no longer needed in contemporary LaTeX installations (post-2015), understanding its historical role helps explain modern LaTeX's built-in behavior.

Previously fixed mark handling to ensure \firstmark was correctly taken from the first column when marks were present
Managed the sequencing between two-column floats (like figure*) and single-column floats
All fixes are now permanently incorporated into the LaTeX kernel, making separate installation unnecessary
Serves as a reference point for understanding LaTeX's evolution in handling multi-column documents

Getting Started

This package is obsolete and should not be used in new documents. Since the LaTeX 2015/01/01 release, the fixes from fix2col have been incorporated into the LaTeX kernel itself.

If you're using an older LaTeX distribution (before 2015), you could include it as:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{fix2col}

However, it's recommended to update your LaTeX distribution instead.