If you've ever spent three hours trying to find that one specific pair of denim shorts in Create-A-Sim (CAS), you know the struggle. It’s painful. Honestly, the default two-column layout in The Sims 4 feels like trying to look through a keyhole to see a whole room. You're scrolling forever. Your finger gets tired. You miss things. It’s a mess, especially if you have every expansion pack or a folder full of Custom Content (CC).
That’s where the Sims 4 More Columns mod by Weerbesu comes in. It’s one of those mods that you install once and then literally cannot imagine living without. It’s not flashy. It doesn’t add new gameplay or make your Sims have dramatic affairs. It just fixes the UI. It makes the game usable.
What is the Sims 4 More Columns Mod Anyway?
Basically, this mod expands the number of columns in the CAS catalog. Instead of that cramped two-column view, you can choose to have three, four, or even five columns. It sounds like a small change. It isn't. It’s a massive quality-of-life upgrade that changes how you interact with the game’s creative side.
Weerbesu, the creator, is a bit of a legend in the modding community. They've been maintaining this specific tool for years, keeping it updated through every single EA patch. And if you know anything about The Sims 4, you know that patches break mods constantly. But the Sims 4 More Columns mod is usually one of the first things fixed because everyone relies on it so heavily.
Choosing Your Version
You can't just download one file and call it a day. You have to think about your screen resolution. If you’re playing on a small laptop screen, five columns will probably bleed off the edge of the interface. You won’t be able to see the "Check" or "Undo" buttons. That sucks.
- 3 Columns: Great for smaller monitors or laptops.
- 4 Columns: The sweet spot for most standard 1920x1080 monitors.
- 5 Columns: Only for the big boys. Use this if you have a 1440p or 4K monitor.
If you pick a version that’s too big for your screen, the UI will break. It’s not a bug; it’s just physics. Well, digital physics. You need to match the mod to your real estate.
Why Does This Mod Matter So Much?
Imagine having 4,000 pieces of CC. I'm not exaggerating—many players do. Scrolling through 4,000 items two at a time is a nightmare. It’s like reading a book through a straw. With the Sims 4 More Columns mod, you’re seeing double or triple the amount of content at once. You find things faster. You build outfits that actually look good because you can see the options side-by-side.
It also helps with "swatch fatigue." You know when you’re looking for a specific shade of blue? In the vanilla game, you’re clicking and scrolling, clicking and scrolling. More columns give you a better birds-eye view of your wardrobe. It makes the "Create" part of Create-A-Sim actually feel creative again, rather than a chore.
The Patch Day Panic
Here is the thing about this mod: it breaks. A lot. Every time Maxis updates the game—especially if they touch the UI—this mod will likely cause your CAS screen to look like a glitchy fever dream. You might see giant white squares or find that you can't click on your Sim's face.
When this happens, don’t panic. Don't delete your save. Just pull the mod out. Weerbesu is incredibly fast at updating. Usually, within 24 to 48 hours of a major patch, a new version is ready on Patreon or ModTheSims. It’s the circle of life for a Simmer.
How to Install It Without Breaking Your Game
Installation is pretty standard, but there are some pitfalls. First, you need to go to Weerbesu’s Patreon page. You don’t have to pay—the mod is free for everyone—but that’s where the most up-to-date links are.
- Download the version that matches your monitor (3, 4, or 5 columns).
- Unzip the file.
- Drop the .package file into your Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 > Mods folder.
- Make sure "Enable Script Mods" and "Enable Custom Content" are checked in your game settings.
One mistake people make is putting the file too deep into subfolders. The game might not read it if it’s buried. Keep it in the main Mods folder or just one folder deep. Also, never have more than one version of this mod in your folder at the same time. If you have the 3-column and 4-column versions both installed, the game will probably just give up and crash.
Dealing With UI Cheats Extension
A lot of people use this alongside the UI Cheats Extension mod. They usually work fine together, but if your UI looks weird, check both. They both modify how the game’s interface looks and behaves. If one is outdated, your whole game feels broken. It’s like a house of cards. Keep them both updated, and you’re golden.
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The Technical Side of Things
Why didn't EA just do this themselves? It’s a valid question. The default UI is designed to be safe for everyone—from people playing on high-end gaming rigs to kids playing on ancient MacBooks. Two columns is the "safe" bet. It ensures the game doesn't lag or break on low-resolution screens.
But for the rest of us, it’s restrictive. The Sims 4 More Columns mod basically unlocks a capability that’s already there; it just forces the game to render more icons at once. It might increase load times by a few seconds if you have a massive amount of CC, but the trade-off is worth it.
Common Issues and How to Fix Them
If your CAS looks like a scrambled TV signal after installing this, it's almost always one of three things.
First: The mod is outdated. This is 90% of the problems. If there was a game update today, you need a mod update today.
Second: Resolution mismatch. You tried to force 5 columns onto a 13-inch laptop. Go back to 3 columns.
Third: Conflicting UI mods. If you have other mods that change the CAS layout (like a background replacer or a lighting mod), they might be fighting.
Try the 50/50 method if you’re really stuck. Take half your mods out, see if it works. Keep narrowing it down. But usually, just keeping this specific mod updated solves everything.
Real Talk: Is It Worth The Hassle?
Some people hate using mods because of the maintenance. I get it. It’s annoying to check for updates every time a new Kit or Expansion drops. But the Sims 4 More Columns mod is the exception. It’s the one mod that consistently makes the game feel "modern."
Without it, CAS feels dated and clunky. With it, it feels like a professional design tool. If you spend any significant time making Sims, this isn't just a "nice to have." It's a requirement. It saves you actual hours of time over a long gameplay session.
The Impact on Performance
Does it slow down your game? Not really. The icons in CAS are just small thumbnails. Loading 40 of them instead of 20 isn't going to make your GPU melt. If your game is lagging in CAS, it's more likely because of the amount of CC you have, not how many columns you're using to view it.
Actually, I’d argue it makes you more efficient, which means you spend less time in the laggy CAS menus and more time actually playing the game.
Where to Get It Safely
Always get this mod from the source. Weerbesu posts on ModTheSims and Patreon. Avoid those "re-upload" sites that look like they're from 2004 and are covered in "Download Now" ads that are actually viruses.
The mod is free. If someone is asking you to pay for the file itself (not a voluntary Patreon support, but a hard paywall), you're being scammed. The Sims modding community is generally great about keeping things accessible.
Next Steps for a Better CAS Experience
Once you have your columns sorted, you should look into a few other things to make your styling sessions better. A "No BLU" or "No-GLO" mod helps with lighting so you can actually see the colors of the clothes. A "Stand Still in CAS" mod is also a godsend so your Sims stop moving around while you're trying to click on their earrings.
Combine those with the Sims 4 More Columns mod, and you’ve basically overhauled the entire creation process.
- Check your monitor resolution before downloading.
- Delete any old versions of the mod before adding the new one.
- Check Weerbesu’s Patreon after every game update.
- Start with the 3-column version if you aren't sure what your screen can handle.
- Don't forget to re-enable mods in the game settings after every major patch.
Take the time to set it up right. Your eyes (and your scroll wheel) will thank you. It's the simplest way to make the game feel like it was actually designed for power users and CC enthusiasts. No more endless scrolling, just more creating.