How to Move Columns in Excel Mac

If you’re a Mac user, you might be wondering how to move columns in Excel. Thankfully, Excel for Mac offers several methods to move and rearrange columns in your worksheet. Whether you want to reorder columns based on specific criteria or change the location of a column for formatting purposes, Excel provides simple, straightforward solutions. In this blog post, we’ll cover various ways to move columns in Excel for Mac and help you streamline your workflow.

Method #1: Drag and Drop

The simplest and most intuitive way to move a column in Excel for Mac is to use the drag and drop method. Here’s how:

1. Hover your cursor over the column letter until it turns into a hand icon.
2. Click and hold down the mouse button.
3. Drag the column to the desired location and release the mouse button.

The column will be moved to its new location, and any data within that column will move with it.

Method #2: Cut and Insert

If you need to move a column to a specific location, you can use the cut and insert method. Here’s how:

1. Select the column you want to move by clicking on the column letter.
2. Press the Command + X keys to cut the column.
3. Select the column to the right of your desired location by clicking on its letter.
4. Press the Command + + keys to insert the cut column to the left of this column.

The cut column will be inserted to the left of the selected column, and any data within that column will move with it.

Method #3: Copy and Paste

If you need to move a column to a different worksheet or workbook, you can use the copy and paste method. Here’s how:

1. Select the column you want to move by clicking on the column letter.
2. Press the Command + C keys to copy the column.
3. Switch to your desired worksheet or workbook.
4. Select the first cell of the column to the right of your desired location.
5. Press the Command + V keys to paste the copied column.

The copied column will be inserted to the left of the selected cell, and any data within that column will move with it.

Quick Tips for Moving Columns in Excel:

Now that you know how to move columns in Excel for Mac let’s go over some quick tips to make the process even smoother.

Use Keyboard Shortcuts:

If you’re working with large datasets, keyboard shortcuts can save you time. The following keyboard shortcuts are especially helpful:

• Command + Z: Undo the previous move or action.
• Command + Y: Redo the previous move or action.
• Command + C: Copy the selected column.
• Command + X: Cut the selected column.
• Command + V: Paste the copied or cut column.

Use Freeze Panes:

If you’re working with large tables, you might find it helpful to freeze panes to keep certain columns or rows visible while you scroll through the worksheet. To freeze panes in Excel for Mac:

1. Select the column to the right of the column where you want to freeze panes.
2. Select Window > Freeze Panes in the toolbar.

Delete a Column:

To delete a column in Excel for Mac:

1. Select the column you want to delete by clicking on the column letter.
2. Press the Command + – keys.

The selected column will be deleted, and all columns to the right will shift left.

Undo and Redo:

If you make a mistake while moving or deleting a column, don’t worry. You can always undo your last action by pressing Command + Z. If you undo an action by mistake, press Command + Y to redo it.

Now that you have a better understanding of how to move columns in Excel for Mac, as well as some quick tips to make the process easier, you can work on your spreadsheets with ease and efficiency.

FAQ – Moving Columns in Excel for Mac

Here are some frequently asked questions related to moving columns in Excel for Mac.

How do I move multiple columns at once?

To move multiple columns at once:

1. Select the columns you want to move by clicking and dragging across their letters.
2. Drag any of the selected columns to the desired location, or use one of the other methods outlined in this article.

Can I move a column to a different sheet or workbook?

Yes. You can use the copy and paste method outlined in this article to copy a column to a different sheet or workbook.

What do I do if I accidentally delete the wrong column?

Don’t panic. You can always undo your last action by pressing Command + Z. If you’ve already taken additional actions, you may need to use the Undo button in the toolbar instead.

Is there a limit to the number of columns I can move at once?

No, you can move as many columns as you’d like at once using any of the methods outlined in this article. Just make sure you’re selecting the correct columns before you move them.

Can I change my mind and move the column back to its original location?

Yes. Provided you haven’t closed the workbook or saved your changes, you can use the undo method outlined in this article to move the column back to its original location.