How to Move Columns in Excel

Excel is a strong spreadsheet program that can be utilized for quite a lot of duties, from easy knowledge entry to advanced monetary evaluation. One of the primary duties that you could be must carry out in Excel is transferring columns round. This may be completed for numerous causes, similar to to reorganize your knowledge, to make it simpler to learn, or to create a extra visually interesting spreadsheet. No matter your cause, transferring columns in Excel is a fast and straightforward course of.

You’ll be able to transfer columns in Excel utilizing the drag-and-drop technique or through the use of the Reduce and Paste instructions. The drag-and-drop technique is the best option to transfer columns, and it is usually essentially the most intuitive. To maneuver a column utilizing the drag-and-drop technique, 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 wish to transfer, click on on the Reduce button on the Residence tab, after which click on on the Paste button within the desired location.

After you have moved the columns to the specified location, it’s possible you’ll 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.

Learn how to Transfer Columns in Excel

Comply with 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 only a few 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 a column header, merely click on on it along with your mouse. The whole column might 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 a number of column headers, maintain down the Ctrl key and click on on every column header that you simply wish 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 some other cell within the worksheet.

After you have chosen the column header, you’ll be able to transfer the column to the specified location.

Drag to Desired Location

After you have chosen the column header, you’ll be able to 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 might 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 proper 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 here are some further ideas for dragging columns to the specified location:

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

After you have dragged the column to the specified location, you’ll be able to launch the mouse button. The column might 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 technique is especially helpful if you wish to transfer a column to a unique worksheet or workbook.

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

Choose the column that you simply wish to transfer.
Click on on the Reduce button on the Residence tab.
Choose the cell the place you wish to insert the column.
Click on on the Paste button on the Residence tab.

The column might be inserted on the specified location.

Listed here are some further ideas for utilizing the Reduce and Paste instructions to maneuver columns:

You should utilize 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 similar time. To do that, choose the column headers of the columns that you simply wish to transfer, after which click on on the Reduce button. Then, choose the cell the place you wish to insert the columns, and click on on the Paste button.
You’ll be able to transfer columns to a unique worksheet. To do that, choose the column headers of the columns that you simply wish to transfer, after which click on on the Reduce button. Then, change to the worksheet that you simply wish to transfer the columns to, choose the cell the place you wish to insert the columns, and click on on the Paste button.
You’ll be able to transfer columns to a unique workbook. To do that, choose the column headers of the columns that you simply wish to transfer, after which click on on the Reduce button. Then, open the workbook that you simply wish to transfer the columns to, choose the cell the place you wish to insert the columns, and click on on the Paste button.

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

Alter Column Width

After you have moved the column to the specified location, it’s possible you’ll want to regulate the width of the column. That is particularly vital if you wish to make the info within the column extra readable or if you wish to match extra columns on the display.

To regulate the width of a column, comply with these steps:

Click on on the column header of the column that you simply wish to resize.
Hover the mouse pointer over the proper fringe of the column header till the pointer turns right into a double-headed arrow.
Click on and drag the proper 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, comply with these steps:

Proper-click on the column header of the column that you simply wish to resize.
Choose the Format Cells possibility from the context menu.
Click on on the Column Width tab.
Enter the specified column width within the Width discipline.
Click on on the OK button.

After you have adjusted the column width, the info within the column might be resized accordingly.

Listed here are some further ideas for adjusting column width:

You’ll be able to alter the width of a number of columns on the similar time. To do that, choose the column headers of the columns that you simply wish to resize, after which drag the proper 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 enhance the column width, respectively.
You’ll be able to set a particular column width. To do that, right-click on the column header of the column that you simply wish to resize, choose the Format Cells possibility from the context menu, click on on the Column Width tab, enter the specified column width within the Width discipline, after which click on on the OK button.

After you have 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 particular column width.

To set a particular column width utilizing the Format Cells dialog field, comply with these steps:
1. Proper-click on the column header of the column that you simply wish to resize.
2. Choose the Format Cells possibility from the context menu.
3. Click on on the Column Width tab.
4. Enter the specified column width within the Width discipline.
5. Click on on the OK button.
AutoFit the column width.

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

To alter the alignment of the info within the column utilizing the Format Cells dialog field, comply with these steps:
1. Proper-click on the column header of the column that you simply wish to change the alignment of.
2. Choose the Format Cells possibility from the context menu.
3. Click on on the Alignment tab.
4. Choose the specified alignment possibility from the Horizontal and Vertical drop-down lists.
5. Click on on the OK button.
Apply a quantity format to the info within the column.

To use a quantity format to the info within the column utilizing the Format Cells dialog field, comply with these steps:
1. Proper-click on the column header of the column that you simply wish to apply a quantity format to.
2. Choose the Format Cells possibility from the context menu.
3. Click on on the Quantity tab.
4. Choose the specified quantity format from the Class listing.
5. Click on on the OK button.

These are only a few 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 knowledge.

Insert or Delete Columns

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

Insert a column.

To insert a column, comply with these steps:
1. Choose the column to the proper of the place you wish to insert the brand new column.
2. Proper-click on the chosen column header.
3. Choose the Insert possibility from the context menu.
4. Choose the Column possibility.
Delete a column.

To delete a column, comply with these steps:
1. Choose the column that you simply wish to delete.
2. Proper-click on the chosen column header.
3. Choose the Delete possibility from the context menu.
Insert a number of columns.

To insert a number of columns, comply with these steps:
1. Choose the column to the proper of the place you wish to insert the brand new columns.
2. Proper-click on the chosen column header.
3. Choose the Insert possibility from the context menu.
4. Choose the Columns possibility.
5. Enter the variety of columns that you simply wish to insert.
6. Click on on the OK button.
Delete a number of columns.

To delete a number of columns, comply with these steps:
1. Choose the columns that you simply wish to delete.
2. Proper-click on any of the chosen column headers.
3. Choose the Delete possibility from the context menu.

After you have inserted or deleted columns, you’ll be able to alter the width of the columns to make them suit your knowledge.

Disguise or Unhide Columns

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

Disguise a column.

To cover a column, comply with these steps:
1. Choose the column that you simply wish to disguise.
2. Proper-click on the chosen column header.
3. Choose the Disguise possibility from the context menu.
Unhide a column.

To unhide a column, comply with 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 possibility from the context menu.
Disguise a number of columns.

To cover a number of columns, comply with these steps:
1. Choose the columns that you simply wish to disguise.
2. Proper-click on any of the chosen column headers.
3. Choose the Disguise possibility from the context menu.
Unhide a number of columns.

To unhide a number of columns, comply with 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 possibility from the context menu.
4. Choose the hidden columns that you simply wish to unhide.
5. Click on on the OK button.

After you have hidden or unhidden columns, you’ll be able to alter the width of the columns to make them suit your knowledge.

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 by means of the worksheet.

To freeze columns, comply with these steps:

Choose the row under the columns that you simply wish to freeze.
Click on on the View tab.
Click on on the Freeze Panes button.
Choose the Freeze Panes possibility.

The columns above the chosen row might be frozen.

To unfreeze columns, comply with these steps:

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

The frozen columns might be unfrozen.

You can too freeze a particular variety of columns. To do that, comply with these steps:

Choose the columns that you simply wish to freeze.
Click on on the View tab.
Click on on the Freeze Panes button.
Choose the Freeze Panes possibility.
Enter the variety of columns that you simply wish to freeze within the Freeze Panes dialog field.
Click on on the OK button.

The desired variety of columns might be frozen.

After you have frozen or unfrozen columns, you’ll be able to scroll by means of the worksheet and the frozen columns will stay seen.

FAQ

Listed here 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 alter the width of a column?
Reply 2: You’ll be able to alter the width of a column by dragging the proper 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 proper of the place you wish to insert the brand new column and clicking on the Insert button on the Residence tab, or by right-clicking on the chosen column header and deciding on the Insert possibility. You’ll be able to delete a column by deciding on the column and clicking on the Delete button on the Residence tab, or by right-clicking on the chosen column header and deciding on the Delete possibility.

Query 4: How do I disguise or unhide a column?
Reply 4: You’ll be able to disguise a column by right-clicking on the column header and deciding on the Disguise possibility, or by clicking on the Disguise button on the Residence 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 possibility, or by clicking on the Unhide button on the Residence tab.

Query 5: How do I freeze or unfreeze columns?
Reply 5: You’ll be able to freeze columns by deciding on the row under the columns that you simply wish 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 possibility. You’ll be able to unfreeze columns by clicking on the Freeze Panes button on the View tab and deciding on the Unfreeze Panes possibility.

Query 6: Can I transfer columns between completely different worksheets or workbooks?
Reply 6: Sure, you’ll be able to 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 only a few of the steadily requested questions on transferring columns in Excel. When you’ve got some other questions, please seek the advice of the Excel assist documentation or seek for tutorials on-line.

Now that you know the way to maneuver columns in Excel, listed here are just a few ideas that can assist you work extra effectively:

Suggestions

Listed here are just a few ideas that can assist you work extra effectively when transferring columns in Excel:

Tip 1: Use the keyboard shortcuts.
You should utilize 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 technique.
The drag-and-drop technique is the best option 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 technique to maneuver a number of columns on the similar time.

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

Tip 4: Alter the column width.
After you have moved a column, it’s possible you’ll 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 proper fringe of the column header to the specified width.

These are only a few ideas 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 know the way to maneuver columns in Excel, you should use this ability to prepare your knowledge extra successfully and create extra visually interesting spreadsheets.

Conclusion

Transferring columns in Excel is an easy however highly effective ability that may aid you set up your knowledge extra successfully and create extra visually interesting spreadsheets. On this article, we’ve got mentioned a number of strategies for transferring columns in Excel, together with the drag-and-drop technique, the Reduce and Paste instructions, and the Insert and Delete instructions.

We’ve additionally mentioned the best way to alter the width of columns, insert and delete columns, disguise and unhide columns, and freeze and unfreeze columns. Through the use of these methods, you’ll be able to customise your spreadsheets to satisfy your particular wants.

So, subsequent time you want 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 a little bit apply, you’ll transfer columns round like a professional!