How to Move Columns in Excel

Excel is a robust spreadsheet program that can be utilized for quite a lot of duties, from easy information entry to complicated monetary evaluation. Some of the fundamental duties that you could be have to carry out in Excel is transferring columns round. This may be completed for plenty of causes, equivalent to to reorganize your information, to make it simpler to learn, or to create a extra visually interesting spreadsheet. No matter your motive, transferring columns in Excel is a fast and simple course of.

You’ll be able to transfer columns in Excel utilizing the drag-and-drop methodology or through the use of the Reduce and Paste instructions. The drag-and-drop methodology is the simplest method to transfer columns, and it’s also essentially the most intuitive. To maneuver a column utilizing the drag-and-drop methodology, merely click on on the column header and drag it to the specified location. You can too use the Reduce and Paste instructions to maneuver columns. To do that, choose the column you need to transfer, click on on the Reduce button on the House tab, after which click on on the Paste button within the desired location.

After getting moved the columns to the specified location, you might want to regulate the width of the columns. To do that, merely click on on the column header and drag it to the specified width. You can too use the Format Cells dialog field to regulate the column width.

Methods to Transfer Columns in Excel

Observe these steps to maneuver columns in Excel:

Choose column header.
Drag to desired location.
Use Reduce and Paste instructions.
Alter column width.
Use Format Cells dialog field.
Insert or delete columns.
Disguise or unhide columns.
Freeze or unfreeze columns.

These are just some of the methods to maneuver columns in Excel. Experiment with completely different strategies to seek out the one which works finest for you.

Choose Column Header

Step one to transferring a column in Excel is to pick out the column header. The column header is the grey space on the high of the column that accommodates the column letter.

Click on on the column header.

To pick out a column header, merely click on on it together with your mouse. All the column will likely be highlighted in blue.
Use the keyboard.

You can too use the keyboard to pick out a column header. Press the arrow key to maneuver to the specified column header, after which press the Spacebar to pick out it.
Choose a number of column headers.

To pick out a number of column headers, maintain down the Ctrl key and click on on every column header that you just need to choose. You can too use the Shift key to pick out a variety of column headers. Click on on the primary column header, maintain down the Shift key, after which click on on the final column header within the vary.
Deselect a column header.

To deselect a column header, merely click on on another cell within the worksheet.

After getting chosen the column header, you may transfer the column to the specified location.

Drag to Desired Location

After getting chosen the column header, you may transfer the column to the specified location by dragging it. To do that, merely click on on the column header and maintain down the mouse button. Then, transfer the mouse pointer to the specified location and launch the mouse button.

As you drag the column header, a black line will seem to point the place the column will likely be inserted. If you wish to insert the column earlier than one other column, drag the column header to the left of that column. If you wish to insert the column after one other column, drag the column header to the precise of that column.

You can too use the keyboard to maneuver the column. Press the arrow keys to maneuver the column header to the specified location, after which press the Enter key to insert the column.

Listed below are some extra suggestions for dragging columns to the specified location:

You’ll be able to drag a number of columns on the identical time. To do that, choose the column headers of the columns that you just need to transfer, after which drag them to the specified location.
You’ll be able to drag columns to a distinct worksheet. To do that, choose the column headers of the columns that you just need to transfer, after which drag them to the tab of the worksheet that you just need to transfer them to.
You’ll be able to drag columns to a distinct workbook. To do that, choose the column headers of the columns that you just need to transfer, after which drag them to the filename of the workbook that you just need to transfer them to.

After getting dragged the column to the specified location, you may launch the mouse button. The column will likely be inserted on the specified location.

Use Reduce and Paste Instructions

You can too use the Reduce and Paste instructions to maneuver columns in Excel. This methodology is especially helpful if you wish to transfer a column to a distinct worksheet or workbook.

To maneuver a column utilizing the Reduce and Paste instructions, observe these steps:

Choose the column that you just need to transfer.
Click on on the Reduce button on the House tab.
Choose the cell the place you need to insert the column.
Click on on the Paste button on the House tab.

The column will likely be inserted on the specified location.

Listed below are some extra suggestions for utilizing the Reduce and Paste instructions to maneuver columns:

You need to use the keyboard shortcuts Ctrl+X to chop the column, and Ctrl+V to stick the column.
You’ll be able to transfer a number of columns on the identical time. To do that, choose the column headers of the columns that you just need to transfer, after which click on on the Reduce button. Then, choose the cell the place you need to insert the columns, and click on on the Paste button.
You’ll be able to transfer columns to a distinct worksheet. To do that, choose the column headers of the columns that you just need to transfer, after which click on on the Reduce button. Then, change to the worksheet that you just need to transfer the columns to, choose the cell the place you need to insert the columns, and click on on the Paste button.
You’ll be able to transfer columns to a distinct workbook. To do that, choose the column headers of the columns that you just need to transfer, after which click on on the Reduce button. Then, open the workbook that you just need to transfer the columns to, choose the cell the place you need to insert the columns, and click on on the Paste button.

After getting moved the column to the specified location, it can save you the adjustments to your worksheet.

Alter Column Width

After getting moved the column to the specified location, you might want to regulate the width of the column. That is particularly essential if you wish to make the information within the column extra readable or if you wish to match extra columns on the display.

To regulate the width of a column, observe these steps:

Click on on the column header of the column that you just need to resize.
Hover the mouse pointer over the precise fringe of the column header till the pointer turns right into a double-headed arrow.
Click on and drag the precise fringe of the column header to the specified width.

You can too use the Format Cells dialog field to regulate the column width.

To regulate the column width utilizing the Format Cells dialog field, observe these steps:

Proper-click on the column header of the column that you just need to resize.
Choose the Format Cells choice from the context menu.
Click on on the Column Width tab.
Enter the specified column width within the Width area.
Click on on the OK button.

After getting adjusted the column width, the information within the column will likely be resized accordingly.

Listed below are some extra suggestions for adjusting column width:

You’ll be able to modify the width of a number of columns on the identical time. To do that, choose the column headers of the columns that you just need to resize, after which drag the precise fringe of the column headers to the specified width.
You can too use the keyboard to regulate the column width. Press the Alt key and the left or proper arrow key to lower or improve the column width, respectively.
You’ll be able to set a selected column width. To do that, right-click on the column header of the column that you just need to resize, choose the Format Cells choice from the context menu, click on on the Column Width tab, enter the specified column width within the Width area, after which click on on the OK button.

After getting adjusted the column width to your satisfaction, it can save you the adjustments to your worksheet.

Use Format Cells Dialog Field

You can too use the Format Cells dialog field to regulate the column width, in addition to to alter different formatting choices for the column.

Set a selected column width.

To set a selected column width utilizing the Format Cells dialog field, observe these steps:
1. Proper-click on the column header of the column that you just need to resize.
2. Choose the Format Cells choice from the context menu.
3. Click on on the Column Width tab.
4. Enter the specified column width within the Width area.
5. Click on on the OK button.
AutoFit the column width.

To autofit the column width utilizing the Format Cells dialog field, observe these steps:
1. Proper-click on the column header of the column that you just need to autofit.
2. Choose the Format Cells choice from the context menu.
3. Click on on the Column Width tab.
4. Choose the AutoFit Choice choice.
5. Click on on the OK button.
Change the alignment of the information within the column.

To vary the alignment of the information within the column utilizing the Format Cells dialog field, observe these steps:
1. Proper-click on the column header of the column that you just need to change the alignment of.
2. Choose the Format Cells choice from the context menu.
3. Click on on the Alignment tab.
4. Choose the specified alignment choice from the Horizontal and Vertical drop-down lists.
5. Click on on the OK button.
Apply a quantity format to the information within the column.

To use a quantity format to the information within the column utilizing the Format Cells dialog field, observe these steps:
1. Proper-click on the column header of the column that you just need to apply a quantity format to.
2. Choose the Format Cells choice from the context menu.
3. Click on on the Quantity tab.
4. Choose the specified quantity format from the Class record.
5. Click on on the OK button.

These are just some of the issues that you are able to do utilizing the Format Cells dialog field. Experiment with completely different choices to see how one can change the looks and formatting of your information.

Insert or Delete Columns

You can too insert or delete columns in Excel. This may be helpful if you have to add or take away information to your worksheet.

Insert a column.

To insert a column, observe these steps:
1. Choose the column to the precise of the place you need to insert the brand new column.
2. Proper-click on the chosen column header.
3. Choose the Insert choice from the context menu.
4. Choose the Column choice.
Delete a column.

To delete a column, observe these steps:
1. Choose the column that you just need to delete.
2. Proper-click on the chosen column header.
3. Choose the Delete choice from the context menu.
Insert a number of columns.

To insert a number of columns, observe these steps:
1. Choose the column to the precise of the place you need to insert the brand new columns.
2. Proper-click on the chosen column header.
3. Choose the Insert choice from the context menu.
4. Choose the Columns choice.
5. Enter the variety of columns that you just need to insert.
6. Click on on the OK button.
Delete a number of columns.

To delete a number of columns, observe these steps:
1. Choose the columns that you just need to delete.
2. Proper-click on any of the chosen column headers.
3. Choose the Delete choice from the context menu.

After getting inserted or deleted columns, you may modify the width of the columns to make them suit your information.

Disguise or Unhide Columns

You can too cover or unhide columns in Excel. This may be helpful if you wish to briefly take away columns from view with out deleting them.

Disguise a column.

To cover a column, observe these steps:
1. Choose the column that you just need to cover.
2. Proper-click on the chosen column header.
3. Choose the Disguise choice from the context menu.
Unhide a column.

To unhide a column, observe these steps:
1. Choose the column to the left of the hidden column.
2. Proper-click on the chosen column header.
3. Choose the Unhide choice from the context menu.
Disguise a number of columns.

To cover a number of columns, observe these steps:
1. Choose the columns that you just need to cover.
2. Proper-click on any of the chosen column headers.
3. Choose the Disguise choice from the context menu.
Unhide a number of columns.

To unhide a number of columns, observe these steps:
1. Choose the column to the left of the hidden columns.
2. Proper-click on the chosen column header.
3. Choose the Unhide choice from the context menu.
4. Choose the hidden columns that you just need to unhide.
5. Click on on the OK button.

After getting hidden or unhidden columns, you may modify the width of the columns to make them suit your information.

Freeze or Unfreeze Columns

You can too freeze or unfreeze columns in Excel. This may be helpful if you wish to hold sure columns seen when you scroll via the worksheet.

To freeze columns, observe these steps:

Choose the row beneath the columns that you just need to freeze.
Click on on the View tab.
Click on on the Freeze Panes button.
Choose the Freeze Panes choice.

The columns above the chosen row will likely be frozen.

To unfreeze columns, observe these steps:

Click on on the View tab.
Click on on the Freeze Panes button.
Choose the Unfreeze Panes choice.

The frozen columns will likely be unfrozen.

You can too freeze a selected variety of columns. To do that, observe these steps:

Choose the columns that you just need to freeze.
Click on on the View tab.
Click on on the Freeze Panes button.
Choose the Freeze Panes choice.
Enter the variety of columns that you just need to freeze within the Freeze Panes dialog field.
Click on on the OK button.

The desired variety of columns will likely be frozen.

After getting frozen or unfrozen columns, you may scroll via the worksheet and the frozen columns will stay seen.

FAQ

Listed below are some steadily requested questions on transferring columns in Excel:

Query 1: How do I transfer a column in Excel?
Reply 1: You’ll be able to transfer a column in Excel by dragging the column header to the specified location, or through the use of the Reduce and Paste instructions.

Query 2: How do I modify the width of a column?
Reply 2: You’ll be able to modify the width of a column by dragging the precise fringe of the column header to the specified width, or through the use of the Format Cells dialog field.

Query 3: How do I insert or delete a column?
Reply 3: You’ll be able to insert a column by deciding on the column to the precise of the place you need to insert the brand new column and clicking on the Insert button on the House tab, or by right-clicking on the chosen column header and deciding on the Insert choice. You’ll be able to delete a column by deciding on the column and clicking on the Delete button on the House tab, or by right-clicking on the chosen column header and deciding on the Delete choice.

Query 4: How do I cover or unhide a column?
Reply 4: You’ll be able to cover a column by right-clicking on the column header and deciding on the Disguise choice, or by clicking on the Disguise button on the House tab. You’ll be able to unhide a column by right-clicking on the column header to the left of the hidden column and deciding on the Unhide choice, or by clicking on the Unhide button on the House tab.

Query 5: How do I freeze or unfreeze columns?
Reply 5: You’ll be able to freeze columns by deciding on the row beneath the columns that you just need to freeze and clicking on the Freeze Panes button on the View tab, or by right-clicking on the chosen row and deciding on the Freeze Panes choice. You’ll be able to unfreeze columns by clicking on the Freeze Panes button on the View tab and deciding on the Unfreeze Panes choice.

Query 6: Can I transfer columns between completely different worksheets or workbooks?
Reply 6: Sure, you may transfer columns between completely different worksheets or workbooks through the use of the Reduce and Paste instructions, or by dragging the column header to the specified worksheet or workbook.

These are just some of the steadily requested questions on transferring columns in Excel. When you’ve got another questions, please seek the advice of the Excel assist documentation or seek for tutorials on-line.

Now that you understand how to maneuver columns in Excel, listed below are a number of suggestions that can assist you work extra effectively:

Suggestions

Listed below are a number of suggestions that can assist you work extra effectively when transferring columns in Excel:

Tip 1: Use the keyboard shortcuts.
You need to use the keyboard shortcuts Ctrl+X to chop the column, Ctrl+C to repeat the column, and Ctrl+V to stick the column. That is usually quicker than utilizing the mouse to click on on the buttons on the ribbon.

Tip 2: Use the drag-and-drop methodology.
The drag-and-drop methodology is the simplest method to transfer a column. Merely click on on the column header and drag it to the specified location. You can too use the drag-and-drop methodology to maneuver a number of columns on the identical time.

Tip 3: Use the Reduce and Paste instructions.
The Reduce and Paste instructions are one other method to transfer a column. To make use of the Reduce and Paste instructions, choose the column that you just need to transfer, click on on the Reduce button on the House tab, after which click on on the Paste button within the desired location.

Tip 4: Alter the column width.
After getting moved a column, you might want to regulate the width of the column. To regulate the width of a column, merely click on on the column header and drag the precise fringe of the column header to the specified width.

These are just some suggestions that can assist you work extra effectively when transferring columns in Excel. Experiment with completely different strategies to seek out the one which works finest for you.

Now that you understand how to maneuver columns in Excel, you should utilize this talent to arrange your information extra successfully and create extra visually interesting spreadsheets.

Conclusion

Transferring columns in Excel is a straightforward however highly effective talent that may allow you to arrange your information extra successfully and create extra visually interesting spreadsheets. On this article, now we have mentioned a number of strategies for transferring columns in Excel, together with the drag-and-drop methodology, the Reduce and Paste instructions, and the Insert and Delete instructions.

We’ve additionally mentioned modify the width of columns, insert and delete columns, cover and unhide columns, and freeze and unfreeze columns. Through the use of these methods, you may customise your spreadsheets to satisfy your particular wants.

So, subsequent time you have to transfer a column in Excel, do not be afraid to experiment with completely different strategies to seek out the one which works finest for you. With just a little apply, you’ll transfer columns round like a professional!