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 rowsHide and unhide rows or columnsMove rows or columns

Apart from inserting columns in Excel, the remaining topics have been covered in brief.

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 ribbonExcel 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.

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 shortcutExcel 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.

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

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: –

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.

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.

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.”

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