From pressing a few clicks to using a keyboard shortcut, we’ll cover the best ways to add columns in Microsoft Excel sheets in this article.
1. How to Add a Column Using a Keyboard Shortcut
As with any other feature in Excel, you can add single or multiple columns with keyboard shortcuts. Therefore, let’s add a new column in Excel using the fastest method possible.
To add a column in Excel on a Windows computer, press CTRL + Shift + “+”, whereas Mac users can press “^” + I to do so. However, before pressing the shortcut, you must select the column that you want to move forward by adding a new column to its place.
Excel always adds a column left to the selection, so keep that in mind. Below, we selected column B, then pressed the shortcut, and the data in column B moved to the next column.
How to Add Multiple Columns in Excel Using a Keyboard Shortcut
To add multiple columns in Excel requires you to select the same number of columns you wish to move ahead at the same time before pressing the shortcut.
For example, if you wish to add three columns between columns A and B, you need to select columns B, C, and D in one go before pressing the shortcut.
The final output will be as follows:
If you select three columns separately, pressing the shortcut will add a column to the left of each selected column.
Can the Shortcut Be Used With Cells Rather Than Columns?
The shortcut also works when individual cells are selected rather than columns. However, the process will involve an extra step. Here’s how it works:
Select cells B2, C2, and D2 all at once. Press the shortcut: CTRL + Shift + “+”. Select the circle for the Entire column and click OK.
Adding columns using shortcuts will save you time and give your hands a rest.
2. How to Add a Column Using the Insert Feature
You can also add columns using Excel’s Insert feature if you prefer to do things manually instead of finding keys on the keyboard. You’ll find this feature on the Home ribbon, not on the Insert ribbon.
To add a column using the Insert feature, follow the steps below:
Select the column you wish to move one column forward. (Let’s say we want to add a column between columns C and D, so we will select column D to move it one column ahead) Navigate to the Home tab. Navigate to the Cells group in the ribbon. Click on Insert to open the dropdown. Click on Insert Sheet Columns.
You can also add multiple columns using the Insert feature, just as we did earlier with shortcuts—just select multiple columns beforehand, as in the other case.
There are two more ways to add a column using the Insert feature for those who do not like moving their mouse around different tabs and ribbons. Both are quick and easy to do. Let’s look at them one by one:
Method 1: Using the Insert Feature by Selecting a Cell
The following steps will show you how to add a column by simply selecting a cell and using the Insert feature:
Select any cell in the column that you want to move one column forward. Right-click in the cell. Click on Insert. Select the Entire column and hit OK.
Method 2: Using the Insert Feature by Selecting a Column
Here are the steps to use the Insert feature by selecting a column:
Select the column where you want to add a new column. Right-click anywhere in the selected column. Click on Insert.
Both of these methods allow you to add multiple columns as well. You can also use the Insert feature to add rows in Excel—just select rows instead of columns.
How to Add Columns Adjacent to Non-Adjacent Columns in One Go
So far, we have only added multiple columns with adjacent columns in a dataset. There may be times when you want to add multiple columns with non-adjacent columns, e.g., a column between A and B and D and E in one go while skipping the rest of the columns.
Fortunately, adding columns with non-adjacent columns isn’t much different from adding them with adjacent columns. In fact, all methods we covered above work the same way—the only difference is how you select the columns.
Since Excel adds columns left to each selection, you need to select the column that comes right in the column pair, i.e., to add the columns according to the scenario defined above, you have to select the columns B and E in one go.
After that, you can apply any methods since the process will be nearly identical. Likewise, Excel allows you to compare columns if you want.
Limitations to Add a Column in Excel Table
Excel allows you to insert columns in a spreadsheet in a table format instead of in a regular dataset in range format, but there are some limitations you should be aware of.
The following are two major limitations you may face while adding a column to a data in table format:
1. You Can’t Add Columns With Non-Adjacent Columns in One Go
Unlike the typical range dataset, where you can easily add columns adjacent to non-adjacent ones by selecting multiple columns in the spreadsheet, you can’t do that in one go in a table. The only way you have here is to choose each non-adjacent column and insert a column left to it separately.
2. You Can’t Add Columns in a Sheet Completely Converted Into a Table
If you have converted the entire spreadsheet into a table rather than only the filled entries, you cannot add a column anywhere in the spreadsheet. It’s due to the table not having enough space to add a new column, which is not the case with a regular dataset.
In both cases mentioned above, neither the shortcuts nor the Insert option will work to add a column. If you go to the Home tab and open the Insert dropdown menu, you’ll find that the option is grayed out there as well.
To overcome both limitations, it is best to convert the table into a range, add columns or make adjustments, then convert it back. However, before you do so, make a copy of your spreadsheet so that if Excel messes up the formatting during conversion, you can restore it.
You can convert an Excel table into the range format by right-clicking any cell in the table, navigating to Table, and clicking Convert to Range.
Add Columns in Excel Spreadsheet With Ease
You should now be familiar with adding single or multiple columns to an Excel spreadsheet. Feel free to experiment with them. Even though you’ll be limited in adding columns to tables, there are other ways to format them more effectively, so such limitations won’t make a significant difference.
