Insert or delete rows and columns
Insert and delete rows and columns to organize your worksheet better.
Note: Microsoft Excel has the following column and row limits: 16,384 columns wide by 1,048,576 rows tall.
Insert or delete a column
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Select any cell within the column, then go to Home > Insert > Insert Sheet Columns or Delete Sheet Columns.
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Alternatively, right-click the top of the column, and then select Insert or Delete.
Insert or delete a row
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Select any cell within the row, then go to Home > Insert > Insert Sheet Rows or Delete Sheet Rows.
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Alternatively, right-click the row number, and then select Insert or Delete.
Formatting options
When you select a row or column that has formatting applied, that formatting will be transferred to a new row or column that you insert. If you don’t want the formatting to be applied, you can select the Insert Options button after you insert, and choose from one of the options as follows:
If the Insert Options button isn’t visible, then go to File > Options > Advanced > in the Cut, copy and paste group, check the Show Insert Options buttons option.
Insert rows
To insert a single row: Right-click the whole row above which you want to insert the new row, and then select Insert Rows.
To insert multiple rows: Select the same number of rows above which you want to add new ones. Right-click the selection, and then select Insert Rows.
Insert columns
To insert a single column: Right-click the whole column to the right of where you want to add the new column, and then select Insert Columns.
To insert multiple columns: Select the same number of columns to the right of where you want to add new ones. Right-click the selection, and then select Insert Columns.
Delete cells, rows, or columns
If you don’t need any of the existing cells, rows or columns, here’s how to delete them:
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Select the cells, rows, or columns that you want to delete.
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Right-click, and then select the appropriate delete option, for example, Delete Cells & Shift Up, Delete Cells & Shift Left, Delete Rows, or Delete Columns.
When you delete rows or columns, other rows or columns automatically shift up or to the left.
Tip: If you change your mind right after you deleted a cell, row, or column, just press Ctrl+Z to restore it.
Insert cells
To insert a single cell:
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Right-click the cell above which you want to insert a new cell.
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Select Insert, and then select Cells & Shift Down.
To insert multiple cells:
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Select the same number of cells above which you want to add the new ones.
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Right-click the selection, and then select Insert > Cells & Shift Down.
Need more help?
You can always ask an expert in the Excel Tech Community or get support in the Answers community.
See Also
Basic tasks in Excel
Overview of formulas in Excel
Need more help?
How to Add a Column in Excel: Full Guide with Shortcuts
Adding columns in our worksheets might just be one of the most basic tasks that we do in Excel.
Adding one column is not a problem. But what if you need to add multiple columns? 😱
That will not be a problem too! Learn different and faster ways to either insert a single column or insert multiple columns at once. This will surely help you insert important data faster, and work smarter in Excel😀
Let’s go!
You can download this free practice workbook we’ve prepared for you to work on.
Add columns with right-click
The easiest way to add a column in Excel is by using the right-click option. You can insert a column within two clicks of your mouse.
You can do this in two ways too! You can right-click the column letter or right-click a cell in a column. We’ll teach you how to do both👇
Right-click the Column letter
You can right-click the column letter to add a column in Excel.
The column letter is a gray-colored row containing the letters (A, B, C, … ) used to identify each column in the worksheets.
Open your practice workbook. Let’s say we want to insert a new column in the sheet intended for the titles of the names in the list.
Let’s insert a column after the Full Name column below.
- Right-click column letter B.
- Click Insert.
Viola! You’ve inserted a new column👍
We can add a title to this new column. Let’s type “Title” and fill in the needed data.
(The emails we use in these examples are generated from a fake email generator and do not belong to anyone.)
Pro Tip!
You can also highlight the whole column by selecting a cell and then press “Ctrl” + “Space” on your keyboard. Then follow the steps above to insert a column immediately.
Right-click the cell
You can also right-click the cell in a column to insert a new column.
Say, we want to add a column between columns C and D.
- Right-click on cell C4.
- Then click Insert.
An insert dialog box will pop up. Giving you options on what to insert.
- Click the Entire column option.
- Finally, click OK.
That’s it! You got a whole column you can use to insert needed data in your worksheet😊
Add columns from the ribbon menu
Another way to add columns is by using the Standard Menu option. You can insert columns by clicking the Insert button in the Home Tab of the Excel ribbon.
For example, let’s insert a new column between columns E and F in our workbook. To do that, make sure to click Column F or any of its cells👇
- Select any cell in Column F.
- Go to the Home Tab, and head over to the Cells Group.
In the Cells Group, you will find the Insert, Delete, and Format Cells options.
- Click the dropdown arrow in the Insert button.
- Select the Insert Sheet Columns option.
The column you select is the new location where your column will be inserted. This will move the other columns and their values to the right.
Add columns with shortcuts
You can do all the steps you have done above easier and faster with keyboard shortcuts. All you have to do is to press certain key combinations on your keyboard to perform tasks and functions in Excel. Here’s how.
First, select the column letter. In our workbook, select column letter E.
Then hold down the keys “Ctrl” + “Shift” + “+“.
You get an instant column😀
Insert Column Hot Key
You can also use the Insert Column Hot Key. A hot key is a key combination to perform an action quickly.
The hotkey combination for adding a column is holding down “Alt” + “I” + “C“.
To use it, simply select a cell from a column you like to insert a column before it.
“Alt” + “I” is the hotkey for “Insert”.
“Alt” + “I” + “C” is the hotkey for “Insert columns”.
Insert a column using the right-click or standard menu option. Insert a column like a PRO when you use the keyboard shortcuts, especially the Insert column hot keys😎
This works not only in inserting one column but also inserting multiple columns in Excel!
How to add multiple columns at once
You can forget having to insert a column one by one. Why do that when you can insert multiple columns at once? There are plenty of ways to choose from when you want to insert multiple columns.
We can use the right-click option to insert multiple columns.
Let’s add three new columns to our worksheet. A column for First Name, Middle Initial, and Last Name.
- Highlight Column letters C, D, E.
- Right-click and select Insert.
Three new columns are added in seconds⚡
You can choose to do this using the Standard Menu option as well. Any of the ways will yield the same results.
The number of columns you highlight will be the number of columns that will be inserted into the worksheet.
Kasper Langmann, Microsoft Office SpecialistInsert Column Hot Key
Let’s try to insert multiple new columns using keyboard shortcuts. Specifically, the Insert Column Hotkey.
- Select cells C3 to E5.
- Press Alt + I + C on your keyboard.
Columns are inserted instantly🙌
You can add single or multiple columns using the Keyboard shortcut. Whichever works for you. But this one is our favorite😊
That’s it – Now what?
Nice work! Adding columns might be basic and repetitive when working in Excel but you can always level up by adding multiple columns using shortcuts😀
You can now add a column or columns as needed in your worksheets to insert important data that shouldn’t be missing in your report or records.
While adding rows is easy, Excel has a lot in store for you to make your work easier. Learn about Excel’s built-in functions like the IF and SUMIF function. Don’t miss out on Excel’s most popular function too: the VLOOKUP function🚀
You won’t be missing these when you join my free 30-minute video course.
Other resources
Do you want to know how to insert rows instead? We got you! Click here to learn how to insert rows in Excel.
You can actually transpose data between rows and columns in excel. Read our How to Transpose Data in Excel: Turn Rows into Columns (2022) guide to help you transpose data between rows and columns!
Happy reading (and learning)👋
Kasper Langmann2022-12-14T00:54:10+00:00
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Excel Add Column (Table of Contents)
- Add Column in Excel
- How to Add Column in Excel?
- How to Modify a Column Width?
Add Column in Excel
Excel allows a user to add columns, whether left or right, of the column in the worksheet, which is called Add Column in Excel. Of course, there is more than one way to accomplish a task, as in all Microsoft programs. These instructions cover how rows and columns can be added and modified in an Excel worksheet using a keyboard shortcut and using the context menu with the right-click.
How to Add Column in Excel?
Adding a column in Excel is very easy and convenient whenever we want to add data to the table. There are different Methods to Insert or add Column which is as follows:
- Manually we can do this by just right-clicking on the selected column> then click on the insert button.
- Use Shift + Ctrl + + shortcut to add a new column in the Excel.
- Home tab >> click on Insert >> Select Insert Sheet Columns.
- We can add N number of columns in the Excel sheet; a user needs to select that many columns which number of columns he wants to insert.
Let’s understand How to Add Column in Excel with a few examples.
Example #1
A user has a standalone book data of sales, income, PBDIT, and Profit details of each quarter of Maruti Suzuki India Pvt Ltd in sheet1.
You can download this Add a Column Excel Template here – Add a Column Excel Template
Step 1: Select the column where a user wants to add the column in the excel worksheet (The new column will be inserted to the left of the selected column, so select accordingly)
Step 2: A user has selected the D column where he wants to insert the new column.
Step 3: Now Right-click and select Insert button or use shortcut Shift + Ctrl + +
Or
As we can see, as it was required to insert a new column between C and D column, in the above example, we have added a new column. So, as a result, it will move the D column data to the next column, which is E, and it will take the place of D.
Example #2
Let’s take the same data to analyze this example. A user wants to insert three columns left of the B column.
Step 1: Select B, C, and D columns where a user wants to insert new 3 columns in the worksheet (The new column is inserted to the left of the selected column, so select accordingly)
Step 2: A user has selected the B, C, and D columns where he wants to insert a new column
Step 3: Now Right-click and select Insert button or use shortcut Shift + Ctrl + +
Or
As we can see, as it was required to insert a new column left of the B, C, and D column, we added a new column in the above example. As a result, it will move B, C, and D column data to the next column, which are E, F, and G; it will take the place of the B, C, and D column.
Example #3
Step 1: Go to Worksheet >> Select the column’s heading where a user wants to insert a new column.
Step 2: Click on the Insert button.
Step 3: One drop-down will be open; click on the Insert Sheet Columns.
As the user wants to use the Insert toolbar to insert a new column, as in the above example, it added.
Example #4
The user can insert a new column in any version of Excel; in the above examples, we can see that we had selected one or more columns in the worksheet then >Right click on the selected column> then clicked on the Insert button.
To add a new column in the excel worksheet.
Click in a cell to the left or right of where you want to add a column. If the user wants to add a column to the left of the cell, then follow the below process:
- Click on Table Columns to the Left from the Insert option.
And if a user wants to insert the column to the right of the cell, then follow the below process:
- Click on Table Columns to the Right from the Insert option.
How to Modify a Column Width?
A user can modify the width of any column. Let’s take an example as some of the content in column A cannot be displayed. We can make all this content visible by changing the width of column A.
Step 1: Position the mouse over the column line in the column heading to the Black Cross. (As shown below)
Step 2: Click, hold and drag the mouse to increase or decrease the column width.
Step 3: Release the mouse. The column width will be changed.
A user can auto fit the width of the column. The AutoFit feature will allow you to set a column’s width to fit its content automatically.
Step1: Position the mouse over the column line in the column heading to the Black Cross.
Step2: Double-click the mouse. The column width will be changed automatically to fit the content.
Things to Remember About Add a Column in Excel
- The user needs to select that column where the user wants to insert the new column.
- By default, every row and column have the same height and width, but a user can modify the width of the column and the height of the row.
- The user can insert multiple columns at a time.
- You can also AutoFit the width for several columns at the same time. Simply select the columns you want to AutoFit, and then select the AutoFit Column Width command from the Format drop-down menu on the Home. This method can also be used for row height.
- All the rules will also be applied for rows, as applied to column insertion.
- Excel allows the user to wrap text and merging cells.
- For deleting also, we can go to Home Tab >> Delete >> Delete Sheet Columns; either we can select the column which we want to delete or >> Right Click >> click on Delete.
- After adding the insert column, all the data will be shifted to the right side after that column.
Recommended Articles
This is a guide to add a column in excel. Here we have discussed How to Add a column in excel by using different methods and How to modify a column in Excel along with practical examples and a downloadable excel template. You can also go through our other suggested articles –
- COLUMNS Formula in Excel
- Switching Columns in Excel
- Excel COLUMN to Number
- Freeze Columns in Excel
Creating new tables, reports and pricelists of different types, we cannot predict the number of necessary rows and columns. Using Excel program implies to a great extent creating and setting up spreadsheets, which requires inserting and deleting different elements.
First, let’s consider the methods of inserting sheet rows and columns when creating spreadsheets.
Note that in this tutorial we indicate hot keys for adding or deleting rows and columns. They should be used after highlighting the whole row or column. To highlight the row where the cursor is placed, press the combination of hot keys: SHIFT+SPACEBAR. Hot keys for highlighting a column are CTRL+SPACEBAR.
How to insert a column between other columns?
Assuming you have a pricelist lacking line item numbering:
To insert a column between other columns for filling in pricelist items numbering you can use one of the two ways:
- Move the cursor to activate A1 cell. Then go to tab «HOME», tool section «Cells» and click «Insert», in the popup menu select «Insert Sheet Columns» option.
- Right-click the heading of column A. Select «Insert» option on the shortcut menu.
- Select the column, and press the hotkey combination CTRL+SHIFT+PLUS.
Now you can type the numbers of pricelist line items.
Simultaneous insertion of several columns
The pricelist still lacks two columns: quantity and units (items, kilograms, liters, packs). To add simultaneously, highlight the two-cell range (C1:D1). Then use the same tool on the «Insert»-«Insert Sheet Columns» main tab.
Alternatively, highlight two headings of columns C and D, right-click and select «Insert» option.
Note. Columns are always added to the left side. There appear as many new columns as many old ones have been highlighted. The order of inserted also depends on the order of highlighting. For example, next but one etc.
How to insert a row between rows in Excel?
Now let’s add a heading and a new goods line item «All for the garden» to the pricelist. To this end, let’s insert two new rows simultaneously.
Highlight the nonadjacent range of two cells A1,A4 (note that character “,” is used instead of character “:” – it means that two nonadjacent ranges should be highlighted; to make sure, type A1; A4 in the name field and press Enter). You know from the previous tutorials how to highlight nonadjacent ranges.
Now once again use the tool «HOME»-«Insert»-«Insert Sheet Columns». The picture shows how to insert a blank row between other rows in Excel.
It is easy to guess the second way. You need to highlight headings of rows 1 and 3, right-click on one of the highlighted rows and select «Insert» option.
To add a row or a column in Excel use hot keys CTRL+SHIFT+PLUS having highlighted the appropriate row or column.
Note. New rows are always added above the highlighted rows.
Deleting rows and columns
When working with Excel you need to delete rows and columns as often as to insert them. Therefore, you have to practice.
By way of illustration, let’s delete from our pricelist the numbering of goods line items and the unit column simultaneously.
Highlight the nonadjacent range of cells A1; D1 and select «HOME»-«Delete»-«Delete Sheet Rows». The shortcut menu can also be used for deleting if you highlight headings A1 and D1 instead of cells.
Row deleting is performed in the similar way. You only need to select a tool in the appropriate menu. Applying a shortcut menu is the same. You only have to highlight the rows correspondingly by row numbers.
To delete a row or a column in Excel, use hot keys CTRL+MINUS having preliminary highlighted them.
Note. Inserting new columns and rows is in fact substitution, as the number of rows (1 048 576) and columns (16 384) doesn’t change. The new just replace the old ones. You should consider this fact when filling in the sheet with data by more than 50% — 80%.
Adding a column in Excel means inserting a new column to the existing dataset. Besides inserting, one may need to delete, hide, unhide, and move rows or columns. Such modifications help in structuring and organizing the dataset. As a result, it is essential to be aware of the techniques related to these alterations.
For example, while preparing a consolidated balance sheet, Mr. X realizes that the data related to the previous year is missing. To include this data, he wants to insert a new column. Here, the method of inserting a column comes into use.
Excel provides different ways of performing actions on a dataset. This article discusses the most appropriate and effective methods of working with data. It covers the following aspects: –
- Insert Excel columns (alternate methods and shortcuts)
- Delete columns and rows
- Hide and unhide rows or columns
- Move rows or columns
Apart from inserting columns in Excel, the remaining topics have been covered in brief.
Table of contents
- How to Add/Insert Columns in Excel?
- Example #1–Add Columns in Excel
- Example #2–Alternate Method to Insert Rows and Columns in Excel
- Example #3–Hide and Unhide Columns & Rows in Excel
- Example #4–Move Rows or Columns in Excel
- Shortcuts to Insert Columns in Excel
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Recommended Articles
How to Add/Insert Columns in Excel?
Below are some examples through which you may learn how to add and insert columns in Excel.
Example #1–Add Columns in Excel
The following table shows the first and the last names in columns A and B, respectively. We want to insert a new column (column B) between these names, which will display the middle name.
The steps to insert a new column (column B) between two existing columns (columns A and B) are listed as follows:
Step 1: Select any cell of column B. Alternatively, one can also select column B, as shown in the following image. Further, click the “Insert” drop-down from the “Home” tab of the Excel ribbonThe ribbon is an element of the UI (User Interface) which is seen as a strip that consists of buttons or tabs; it is available at the top of the excel sheet. This option was first introduced in the Microsoft Excel 2007.read more. Finally, select “Insert Sheet Columns.”
Note: To select a column, click its label or header on top.
Step 2: A new column (column B) is inserted between the columns containing the first and the last names. As a result, the data (last name) of the previous column B (shown in step 1) now shifts to column C.
Note: Excel inserts a column immediately preceding the column of the selected cell. Hence, one must always choose a cell accordingly. If a column is selected, Excel inserts a column preceding it.
Example #2–Alternate Method to Insert Rows and Columns in Excel
Working on the data of example #1, we need to insert a middle name column using the following methods:
a) Select and right-click a cell
b) Select and right-click a column
a) The steps for inserting a column after selecting and right-clicking a cell are listed as follows:
Step 1: Select any cell of column B. This is because a column preceding column B is to be inserted. Right-click the selection and choose “insert,” as shown in the following image.
Step 2: The “Insert” dialog box appears. Select “Entire column” to insert a new column.
Note: For inserting a new row, select “Entire row.”
Step 3: A new column (column B) for typing middle names has been inserted.
b) The steps for inserting a column after selecting and right-clicking a column are listed as follows:
Step 1: Select the entire column B. That is because a column preceding column B is to be inserted. Right-click the selection and choose “Insert,” as shown in the following image.
Step 2: A new column B is inserted. The same has been shown under step 3 of method a.
Note: Select the entire row preceding which a new row is inserted for inserting rows. Right-click the selection and choose “Insert.” The same is shown in the following image.
Example #3–Hide and Unhide Columns & Rows in Excel
Working on the data of example #1, we want to perform the following tasks:
a) Hide columns A and B or rows 3 and 4 by right-clicking
b) Hide column A by using the “format” drop-down
c) Unhide columns B and C by right-clicking
a) The steps to hide the columns A and B or rows 3 and 4 by right-clicking are listed as follows:
Step 1: Select columns A and B. Right-click the selection and choose “hide,” as shown in the next image.
Note 1: To select a row or column, click the row number (to the left) or the column label (on top).
Note 2: Multiple adjacent rows or columns can be selected by dragging across the row and column headings. Alternatively, hold the “Shift” key while selecting the rows or columns.
Note 3: We can select non-adjacent rows or columns by holding the “Ctrl” key while making the selections.
Step 2: Columns A and B will be hidden. Likewise, select rows 3 and 4. Right-click the selection and choose the “Hide” option from the context menu. The same is shown in the following image.
It will hide rows 3 and 4.
b) The steps to hide column A by using the “format” drop-down are listed as follows:
Step 1: Select any cell of column A. Click the “Format” drop-down under the “Home” tab of the Excel ribbon. Next, select “Hide Columns” under the “Hide & Unhide” option.
The same is shown in the following image.
Note: Alternatively, select the relevant column to be hidden. Click “Hide columns” under the “Hide & Unhide” option.
Step 2: We will hide the column of the selected cell, column A. Likewise, to hide rows, select the relevant row. Then, choose “Hide Rows” from the “Hide & Unhide” option of the “Format” drop-down.
c) The steps to unhide columns B and C by right-clicking are listed as follows:
Step 1: Select the unhidden columns (A and D) immediately before and after the hidden columns (B and C). Right-click the selection and choose “Unhide.”
Step 2: The columns B and C will be unhidden. The dataset appears as shown in step 1 of task b.
Likewise, unhide rows by selecting the “Unhide rows” (immediately before and after the hidden rows) and clicking “Unhide” from the context menu.
Example #4–Move Rows or Columns in Excel
Working on the data of example #1, we want to move column B (last name) to precede column A (first name).
The steps to move column B are listed as follows:
Step 1: Select column B, which is to be moved. Cut it in either of the following ways:
- Press “Ctrl+X.”
- Click the scissors icon from the “Clipboard” group of the “Home” tab.
Step 2: Select column A, where the data of column B is to be pasted. Right-click the selection and choose “Insert Cut Cells.”
Alternatively, select “Insert Cut Cells” from the “Insert” drop-down of the “Home” tab. The same is shown in the following image.
Note: The “Insert Cut Cells” option will be visible once the selected cells have been cut.
Step 3: The data of column B is pasted into column A. Hence, the first column (column A) now contains the last names. The data of the initial column A (first name) automatically shifts to column B.
The same is shown in the following image.
Note: A row can be selected, cut, and pasted to the desired location. Select the “Insert Cut Cells” option from the “Insert” drop-down of the “Home” tab for pasting.
Shortcuts to Insert Columns in Excel
Let us go through the two shortcuts for inserting columns and rows.
a) Shortcut for inserting with the “Insert” drop-down of the “Home” tab
The excel shortcutAn Excel shortcut is a technique of performing a manual task in a quicker way.read more for inserting a row or column with the “Insert” drop-down works as follows:
- Select a cell preceding which a row or column is inserted.
- Click the “Insert” drop-down from the “Cells” group of the “Home” tab.
- Press “R” to insert a row or “C” to insert a column
A new row or column is inserted depending on the third pointer’s key.
Note: Under the “Insert” drop-down, the “R” of “insert sheet rows” and the “C” of “insert sheet columns” are underlined. Hence, these keys work as shortcuts for inserting rows and columns.
b) Shortcut for inserting with right-click
- The shortcut for inserting a row or column with right-click works as follows:
- Select a cell preceding which a row or column is inserted.
- Right-click the selection and press “I.” The “Insert” dialog box opens.
- Press “R” to insert a row or “C” to insert a column.
- Press the “Enter” key.
A new row or column is inserted depending on the third pointer’s key.
Note: If the “Insert” dialog box does not open in step 2, press the “Enter” key after pressing “I.” It opens the “Insert” dialog box.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does it mean to insert a column? How is it done in Excel?
Inserting a column refers to adding a new column to an existing dataset. This new column may contain additional data that can be important for the end-user.
Additionally, there is a possibility that a column has been omitted by mistake. In such cases, inserting a column will be helpful.
The steps to insert a column in Excel are listed as follows:
a. Select the column preceding which a new column is to be inserted.
b. Right-click the selection and choose “Insert” from the context menu.
It will insert the new column immediately before the selected column.
Note: To select a column, click its header (label) on top.
2. How to insert a column in Excel by using a shortcut?
Let us insert a new column E in Excel. The steps to insert a column (column E) by using a shortcut are listed as follows:
a. Select the existing column E.
b. Press the keys “Ctrl+Shift+plus sign(+)” together to insert a column.
It will insert the new column E. The data of the initial column E now shifts to column F.
Note 1: One must select a column carefully. That is because Excel inserts a column preceding the selected column.
Note 2: As an alternative to step a, one can select any cell of column E. After that, press “Ctrl+space” to select the entire column E.
3. How to insert multiple adjacent columns in Excel?
Let us insert columns D, E, and F in Excel. The steps to insert multiple columns (D, E, and F) are listed as follows:
a. Select as many columns in the existing dataset as the number of the new columns to be inserted. So, select the current columns D, E, and F.
b. Press the keys “Ctrl+Shift+plus sign(+)” together.
It will insert the blank columns D, E, and F. The initial columns D, E, and F data shift to columns G, H, and I.
Note 1: Alternative to step a: select adjacent cells of columns D, E, and F. These cells should be in one row. Further, press “Ctrl+space.” As a result, columns D, E, and F will be selected.
Note 2: To select multiple adjacent columns (in step a), drag across the column headings. Alternatively, hold the “Shift” key while selecting the columns.
Note 3: Alternative to step b: right-click the selection and choose “Insert.”
Recommended Articles
This article is a guide to Add Columns in Excel. We also discuss inserting, hiding, and moving rows and columns in Excel and practical examples. You may learn more about Excel from the following articles: –
- Compare Two Columns in Excel for Matches
- 3 Ways to Show Excel Negative Numbers
- Rows vs. Columns
- Move Columns in Excel