Add or move columns & cells - Computer (2024)

FAQs

How do I move columns and cells in Excel? ›

Move or copy rows and columns by using the mouse

Cut and replace Point to the border of the selection. When the pointer becomes a move pointer , drag the rows or columns to another location. Excel warns you if you are going to replace a column. Press Cancel to avoid replacing.

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.

Click in a cell to the left or right of where you want to add a column. On the Layout tab, do one of the following: To add a column to the left of the cell, click Insert Left in the Rows and Columns group. To add a column to the right of the cell, click Insert Right in the Rows and Columns group.

"Microsoft Excel can't insert new cells because it would push non-empty cells off the end of the worksheet. These non-empty cells might appear empty but have blank values, some formatting, or a formula. Delete enough rows or columns to make room for what you want to insert and then try again."

Press and hold the Shift key, and then drag the column to a new location. You will see a faint "I" bar along the entire length of the column and a box indicating where the new column will be moved. That's it! Release the mouse button, then leave the Shift key and find the column moved to a new position.

If you need to sum a column or row of numbers, let Excel do the math for you. Select a cell next to the numbers you want to sum, select AutoSum on the Home tab, press Enter, and you're done. When you select AutoSum, Excel automatically enters a formula (that uses the SUM function) to sum the numbers. Here's an example.

Go to the Formulas ribbon – choose either the Insert Function icon to bring up the Insert Function dialog box (same dialog box you would get with the first method), or click the arrow next to the correct category in the Function Library Group, and then choose the desired function.

To insert a row, pick a cell or row that's not the header row, and right-click. To insert a column, pick any cell in the table and right-click. Point to Insert, and pick Table Rows Above to insert a new row, or Table Columns to the Left to insert a new column.

A column is a collection of cells alligned vertically in a table. A field is an element in which one piece of information is stored, such as the received field. Usually a column in a table contains the values of a single field. However, you can show several fields in a column by using a Formula or a Combination field.

Why is Excel not letting me add a column? ›

Make sure you don't have any frozen panes or filters applied to your worksheet. Protecting the Sheet: If the worksheet is protected, it might restrict certain actions like inserting columns. Try unprotecting the sheet if it's protected. Cell Merging: If any cells are merged, it can prevent column insertion.

Click "Insert." Find the "Insert" option in the drop-down menu and click on it. Select "Insert Columns." When you select "Insert Columns," Excel inserts a column on the left of the column you initially selected. You can then add data to your new column.

Select the cell below the rows and to the right of the columns you want to keep visible when you scroll. Select View > Freeze Panes > Freeze Panes.