How to Move Columns in Excel

As an expert in Microsoft Excel, one essential skill to master is how to move columns efficiently. Moving columns in Excel is an easy process that saves time and improves the organization of data in a spreadsheet. A well-organized spreadsheet makes it easier to understand and analyze data. Whether you are new to Excel or a seasoned pro, this blog post will guide you on how to move columns in Excel using different methods. This post is written with the aim of providing a quick and direct answer to the question of how to move columns in Excel.

Understanding why you should move columns in Excel

Excel spreadsheets are meant to organize data logically. Moving columns is an essential skill because it helps you with rearranging the order of data in a spreadsheet. By moving columns in Excel, you can help to make your spreadsheet easier to read and understand. Moving a column affects all accompanying columns in your spreadsheet, and sometimes, you may have to move multiple columns at once.

Moving columns in Excel using Drag and Drop

The simplest method of moving columns in Excel is through drag-and-drop. It’s easy, efficient, and can be done within seconds. Here’s how:

1. Select the column you want to move by clicking on the column header.
2. Hover your mouse over the column header until the cursor changes to a four-headed arrow.
3. Drag the column to its new location.
4. Release the mouse button when you see a black vertical line, which indicates the new position of the column.

Moving columns in Excel using Cut and Paste

If you want to move a column to a new location without using drag and drop, you can use the cut-and-paste method. This method is useful if you want to move a column a few places over without having to do it manually. Here’s how:

1. First, select the column you want to move.
2. Right-click on the selected column and select “Cut” from the pop-up menu.
3. Select the cell where you want to place the column.
4. Right-click and select “Insert cut cells” from the pop-up menu.

Moving multiple columns in Excel using Drag and Drop

When you need to move multiple columns, you can still use the drag-and-drop method. Here’s how:

1. Select the first column you want to move and click on its header.
2. Hold down the “Shift” key and select all the columns you want to move.
3. Click and drag the selected columns to the new location.
4. Release the mouse button when you see a black vertical line that indicates the new position of the columns.

Moving multiple columns in Excel using Cut and Paste

To move multiple columns in Excel using cut and paste:

1. Select the first column you want to move and click on its header.
2. Hold down the “Shift” key and select all the columns you want to move.
3. Right-click on the selected columns and choose “Cut.”
4. Select the cell where you want to place the columns.
5. Right-click and choose “Insert cut cells.”

By learning how to move columns in Excel, you can customize your spreadsheets to suit your needs while making them more organized. The methods we discussed in this blog post: Drag and Drop, Cut and Paste are simple to implement, and you can start using them right away. So the next time you need to move columns in Excel, you now have several methods to choose from!

Using Keyboard Shortcuts to Move Columns in Excel

Moving columns using keyboard shortcuts is yet another efficient way to work in Excel. Here are a few keyboard shortcuts you can use to move columns in Excel:

• Using “Ctrl + X” to cut the column and “Ctrl + V” to paste it to a new location is a quick way to move it without leaving the keyboard.
• Use “Alt + H” on your keyboard to bring up the Home tab, then use “H + O + U” to select the column(s) you want to move, and then use “Alt + M” to select the Move or Copy option. Finally, use “Ctrl + Left Arrow or Right Arrow” to move your column(s) left or right.
• You can also use “Ctrl + Shift + Left Arrow or Right Arrow” to select a column and move it one direction at a time.

How to move a column based on column header text

If you have a spreadsheet with many columns, it may be difficult to easily find and move a specific column. However, you can easily move specific columns using the Column Header Text. For example, to move a column named “Revenue” to the left, follow these steps:

1. Select any cell in the column that immediately follows your target column (in this case, Revenue).
2. Click on “Home” in the ribbon and select “Find & Select”. From the dropdown, select “Go To Special”.
3. In the “Go To Special” dialog box, select “Column Differences” and click OK.
4. All columns with different data types will be selected. To move the Revenue column, click and drag the selected columns.

Use Freeze Panes to Work with Large Sheets

If you’re working with a large spreadsheet, you may find it helpful to use Freeze Panes. Freeze Panes allows you to keep specific rows and/or columns visible while you scroll through the rest of the sheet. To use this feature, select the row and/or column you want to freeze, click on “View” in the ribbon, select “Freeze Panes”, and then select “Freeze Panes” again.

Moving Columns in Tables

If you’re working with a table, moving columns is slightly different than working with a regular spreadsheet. Here’s how:

1. Select the column you want to move, and click on the drop-down arrow in the column header.
2. Select “Insert Left” or “Insert Right” to move the column to the desired location.

Moving columns is a necessary skill when working in Excel, and there are many ways to do so. From Drag and Drop and Cut and Paste to Keyboard Shortcuts and using Freeze Panes, each method has its advantages for different situations. With this knowledge, you’re now better equipped to move columns in Excel efficiently, saving you both time and effort.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about moving columns in Excel:

How can I move columns together if there are several blank columns in between?

If there are blank columns in between the columns you want to move, you can use the Cut and Paste method. First, select the columns you want to move by holding down the “Ctrl” key while clicking on their headers. Right-click on one of the selected columns, click “Cut,” move to the new location, and then right-click and select “Insert Cut Cells.”

What is the difference between using drag and drop and cut and paste to move columns in Excel?

Drag and drop is a quicker method for simply moving a column to a new location. Cut and paste is a better option if you want to move a column to a new location while creating a copy of the original column elsewhere in the spreadsheet.

Can I move columns in Excel using VBA?

Yes, you can write a macro in VBA to move columns in Excel. The syntax of the VBA code is straightforward. For example, to move Column B to the right of Column D, use this code: Sheets(“Sheet1”).Columns(“B”).Cut Sheets(“Sheet1”).Columns(“D”).Insert shift:=xlToRight

How do you move a column based on cell values?

If you want to move a column based on the values in a specific cell, you can use the “Sort” feature in Excel. To do this, first select the range of data that contains the column you want to move. Next, click on “Data” in the ribbon and then select “Sort.” In the “Sort” dialog box, select the column you want to sort by under “Sort by,” and then select the appropriate “Order” option. After you’ve sorted the data, the column will be moved to the appropriate location in the sheet based on its value.

Can I move multiple columns at once in Excel?

Yes, you can move multiple columns at once in Excel. To do this, you can select multiple columns using one of the methods discussed in this post, such as “Ctrl” clicking on the column headers, Shift-clicking, or by selecting a range of cells that includes the columns you want to move. Once selected, you can use Drag & Drop, Cut & Paste or Keyboard Shortcuts to move them to the desired location.