How To Shift Columns In Excel?
How to drag columns in Excel – As already mentioned, dragging columns in Excel is a bit more complex procedure than one could expect. In fact, it’s one of those cases that can be classified as “easier said than done”. But maybe it’s just my lack of sleight of hand ability 🙂 Nevertheless, with some practice, I was able to get it to work, so you will definitely manage it too.
- Select the column you want to move.
- Put the mouse pointer to the edge of the selection until it changes from a regular cross to a 4-sided arrow cursor. You’d better not do this anywhere around the column heading because the cursor can have too many different shapes in that area. But it works just fine on the right or left edge of the selected column, as shown in the screenshot.
- 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.
You can use the same technique to drag several columns in your Excel table. To select several columns, click the heading of the first column you need to move, press and hold Shift, and then click the heading of the last column. Then follow steps 2 – 4 above to move the columns, as shown in the screenshot. Note. It is not possible to drag non-adjacent columns and rows in Excel. The drag and drop method works in Microsoft Excel 2016, 2013, 2010 and 2007 and can be used for moving rows as well. It might require some practice, but once mastered it could be a real time saver. Though, I guess the Microsoft Excel team will hardly ever win an award for the most user friendly interface on this feature 🙂
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Is there a quick way to swap columns in Excel?
Thats all there is to it! swapping columns in Microsoft Excel is easy once you know the keyboard shortcut. Just select the columns you want to swap and press Alt + Shift + Left Arrow or Alt + Shift + Right Arrow. You can repeat this process as many times as necessary to get the columns in the order you need. – : How to Swap Columns in Excel: A Step-by-Step Guide
How do I switch two columns in Excel?
Drag Columns – The first option for swapping two columns is to drag one column after another. Say you have the following data set and want to swap the columns Price and Product Name,
Select the first column (A) and position the cursor to the right border of the column until it turns into the four-sided arrow,
Hold down the SHIFT key on the keyboard and drag and drop the first column to the desired position (after the second column). When you press and hold the SHIFT key, you see the green line between columns which indicates where the selected column will be moved.
As a result, columns are now swapped. Note : Similarly, you can swap multiple columns. Just select as many columns as you need.
What is the quickest way to adjust columns?
– Do one of the following:
- To change the row height of one row, drag the boundary below the row heading until the row is the height that you want.
- To change the row height of multiple rows, select the rows that you want to change, and then drag the boundary below one of the selected row headings.
- To change the row height for all rows on the worksheet, click the Select All button, and then drag the boundary below any row heading.
- To change the row height to fit the contents, double-click the boundary below the row heading.
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How do I switch two columns?
Swap columns with copy and paste – Another method to swap columns in Excel is copying and pasting the desired column into a new position. This might be a little less efficient at times, but it could also be useful if you just want a quick comparison. The copy and paste method allow you to move a column without having to reposition your column into its original place after you’re done.
Select the entire column or columns that you want to move by clicking on the column header. Copy the selection by pressing the Ctrl + C keys on the keyboard, or right click the column and choose Copy from the context menu. Select the desired column you want to paste your current column selection into. Press the Ctrl + V keys on the keyboard, or simply right-click and choose Paste from the context menu. If you don’t like the new position, press the Ctrl + Z keys on the keyboard to undo the swap. Now, you can try again starting from step 1.
How do I switch columns and rows in sheets?
Move rows or columns –
- On your computer, open a spreadsheet in Google Sheets,
- Select the rows or columns to move.
- At the top, click Edit,
- Select the direction you want to move the row or column, like Move row up,
You can also drag a row or column to a new location.
Can you swap rows in Excel?
How to Move Rows in Excel using CTRL Key – In this procedure, you have to use the CTRL command key from the keyboard. By pressing the CTRL key you can drag the row to another place. Below are some easy-to-follow steps:
- Choose the row you need to move.
- Place the mouse cursor on the edge of the selected row and wait for the move pointer.
- Press CTRL from the keyboard and click to drag the row to other places
- Once this step is completed, you will see the row is placed in another position and meanwhile, the row will be visible at the original place as well.
What does Ctrl Shift K do in Excel?
Ctrl+K in Excel and other spreadsheet programs In Microsoft Excel, Ctrl + K inserts a hyperlink in the currently-active cell or location.
What does Ctrl Shift * do in Excel?
Excel shortcuts –
Shortcut key | Action | Menu equivalent comments | Version |
---|---|---|---|
Ctrl + A | Select All | None | All |
Ctrl + B | Bold | Format, Cells, Font, Font Style, Bold | All |
Ctrl + C | Copy | Edit, Copy | All |
Ctrl + D | Fill Down | Edit, Fill, Down | All |
Ctrl + E | Flash Fill | Data, Flash Fill | Excel 2019+/365 |
Ctrl + F | Find | Edit, Find | All |
Ctrl + G | Goto | Edit, Goto | All |
Ctrl + H | Replace | Edit, Replace | All |
Ctrl + I | Italic | Format, Cells, Font, Font Style, Italic | All |
Ctrl + K | Insert Hyperlink | Insert, Hyperlink | Excel 97/2000+ |
Ctrl + N | New Workbook | File, New | All |
Ctrl + O | Open | File, Open | All |
Ctrl + P | File, Print | All | |
Ctrl + R | Fill Right | Edit, Fill Right | All |
Ctrl + S | Save | File, Save | All |
Ctrl + U | Underline | Format, Cells, Font, Underline, Single | All |
Ctrl + V | Paste | Edit, Paste | All |
Ctrl W | Close | File, Close | Excel 97/2000+ |
Ctrl + X | Cut | Edit, Cut | All |
Ctrl + Y | Repeat | Edit, Repeat | All |
Ctrl + Z | Undo | Edit, Undo | All |
F1 | Help | Help, Contents and Index | All |
F2 | Edit | None | All |
F3 | Paste Name | Insert, Name, Paste | All |
F4 | Repeat last action | Edit, Repeat. Works while not in Edit mode. | All |
F4 | While typing a formula, switch between absolute/relative refs | None | All |
F5 | Goto | Edit, Goto | All |
F6 | Next Pane | None | All |
F7 | Spell check | Tools, Spelling | All |
F8 | Extend mode | None | All |
F9 | Recalculate all workbooks | Tools, Options, Calculation, Calc Now | All |
F10 | Activate Menubar | N/A | All |
F11 | New Chart | Insert, Chart | All |
F12 | Save As | File, Save As | All |
Ctrl + : | Insert Current Time | None | All |
Ctrl + ; | Insert Current Date | None | All |
Ctrl + ” | Copy Value from Cell Above | Edit, Paste Special, Value | All |
Ctrl + ‘ | Copy Formula from Cell Above | Edit, Copy | All |
Shift | Hold down shift for additional functions in Excel’s menu | none | Excel 97/2000+ |
Shift + F1 | What’s This? | Help, What’s This? | All |
Shift + F2 | Edit cell comment | Insert, Edit Comments | All |
Shift + F3 | Paste function into formula | Insert, Function | All |
Shift + F4 | Find Next | Edit, Find, Find Next | All |
Shift + F5 | Find | Edit, Find, Find Next | All |
Shift + F6 | Previous Pane | None | All |
Shift + F8 | Add to selection | None | All |
Shift + F9 | Calculate active worksheet | Tools, Options, Calculation, Calc Sheet | All |
Ctrl + Alt + F9 | Calculate all worksheets in all open workbooks, regardless of whether they have changed since the last calculation. | None | Excel 97/2000+ |
Ctrl + Alt + Shift + F9 | Rechecks dependent formulas and then calculates all cells in all open workbooks, including cells not marked as needing to be calculated. | None | Excel 97/2000+ |
Shift + F10 | Display shortcut menu | None | All |
Shift + F11 | New worksheet | Insert, Worksheet | All |
Shift + F12 | Save | File, Save | All |
Ctrl + F3 | Define name | Insert, Names, Define | All |
Ctrl + F4 | Close | File, Close | All |
Ctrl + F5 | XL, Restore window size | Restore | All |
Ctrl + F6 | Next workbook window | Window,, | All |
Shift + Ctrl + F6 | Previous workbook window | Window,, | All |
Ctrl + F7 | Move window | XL, Move | All |
Ctrl + F8 | Resize window | XL, Size | All |
Ctrl + F9 | Minimize workbook | XL, Minimize | All |
Ctrl + F10 | Maximize or restore window | XL, Maximize | All |
Ctrl + F11 | Inset 4.0 Macro sheet | None in Excel 97. In versions prior to 97 – Insert, Macro, 4.0 Macro | All |
Ctrl + F12 | File Open | File, Open | All |
Alt + F1 | Insert Chart | Insert, Chart. | All |
Alt + F2 | Save As | File, Save As | All |
Alt + F4 | Exit | File, Exit | All |
Alt + F8 | Macro dialog box | Tools, Macro, Macros in Excel 97 Tools,Macros – in earlier versions | Excel 97/2000+ |
Alt + F11 | Visual Basic Editor | Tools, Macro, Visual Basic Editor | Excel 97/2000+ |
Ctrl + Shift + F3 | Create name by using names of row and column labels | Insert, Name, Create | All |
Ctrl + Shift + F6 | Previous Window | Window,, | All |
Ctrl + Shift + F12 | File, Print | All | |
Alt + Shift + F1 | New worksheet | Insert, Worksheet | All |
Alt + Shift + F2 | Save | File, Save | All |
Alt + = | AutoSum | No direct equivalent | All |
Ctrl + ` | Toggle Value/Formula display | Tools, Options, View, Formulas | All |
Ctrl + Shift + A | Insert argument names into formula | No direct equivalent | All |
Alt + Down arrow | Display AutoComplete list | None | Excel 95 |
Alt + ‘ | Format Style dialog box | Format, Style | All |
Ctrl + Shift + ~ | General format | Format, Cells, Number, Category, General | All |
Ctrl + Shift + ! | Comma format | Format, Cells, Number, Category, Number | All |
Ctrl + Shift + @ | Time format | Format, Cells, Number, Category, Time | All |
Ctrl + Shift + # | Date format | Format, Cells, Number, Category, Date | All |
Ctrl + Shift + $ | Currency format | Format, Cells, Number, Category, Currency | All |
Ctrl + Shift + % | Percent format | Format, Cells, Number, Category, Percentage | All |
Ctrl + Shift + ^ | Exponential format | Format, Cells, Number, Category, | All |
Ctrl + Shift + & | Place outline border around selected cells | Format, Cells, Border | All |
Ctrl + Shift + _ | Remove outline border | Format, Cells, Border | All |
Ctrl + Shift + * | Select the current region around the active cell. In a PivotTable report, select the entire PivotTable report. | Edit, Goto, Special, Current Region | All |
Ctrl + + | Insert | Insert, (Rows, Columns, or Cells) Depends on selection | All |
Ctrl + – | Delete | Delete, (Rows, Columns, or Cells) Depends on selection | All |
Ctrl + 1 | Format cells dialog box | Format, Cells | All |
Ctrl + 2 | Bold | Format, Cells, Font, Font Style, Bold | All |
Ctrl + 3 | Italic | Format, Cells, Font, Font Style, Italic | All |
Ctrl + 4 | Underline | Format, Cells, Font, Font Style, Underline | All |
Ctrl + 5 | Strikethrough | Format, Cells, Font, Effects, Strikethrough | All |
Ctrl + 6 | Show/Hide objects | Tools, Options, View, Objects, Show All/Hide | All |
Ctrl + 7 | Show/Hide Standard toolbar | View, Toolbars, Stardard | All |
Ctrl + 8 | Toggle Outline symbols | None | All |
Ctrl + 9 | Hide rows | Format, Row, Hide | All |
Ctrl + 0 | Hide columns | Format, Column, Hide | All |
Ctrl + Shift + ( | Unhide rows | Format, Row, Unhide | All |
Ctrl + Shift + ) | Unhide columns | Format, Column, Unhide | All |
Alt or F10 | Activate the menu | None | All |
Ctrl + Tab | In toolbar: next toolbar In a workbook: activate next workbook | None | Excel 97/2000+ |
Shift + Ctrl + Tab | In toolbar: previous toolbar In a workbook: activate previous workbook | None | Excel 97/2000+ |
Tab | Next tool | None | Excel 97/2000+ |
Shift + Tab | Previous tool | None | Excel 97/2000+ |
Enter | Do the command | None | Excel 97/2000+ |
Alt + Enter | Start a new line in the same cell. | None | Excel 97/2000+ |
Ctrl + Enter | Fill the selected cell range with the current entry. | None | Excel 97/2000+ |
Shift + Ctrl + F | Font Drop Down List | Format, Cells, Font | All |
Shift + Ctrl + F + F | Font tab of Format Cell Dialog box | Format, Cells, Font | Before 97/2000 |
Shift + Ctrl + P | Point size Drop Down List | Format, Cells, Font | All |
Ctrl + Spacebar | Select the entire column | None | Excel 97/2000+ |
Shift + Spacebar | Select the entire row | None | Excel 97/2000+ |
CTRL + Backspace | Jump back to the active cell and bring it into view | ||
CTRL + / | Select the array containing the active cell. | ||
CTRL + SHIFT + O | Select all cells that contain comments. | ||
CTRL + \ | In a selected row, select the cells that don’t match the formula or static value in the active cell. | ||
CTRL + SHIFT + | | In a selected column, select the cells that don’t match the formula or static value in the active cell. | ||
CTRL + [ | Select all cells directly referenced by formulas in the selection. | ||
CTRL + SHIFT + | Select cells that contain formulas that directly or indirectly reference the active cell. | ||
ALT + ; | Select the visible cells in the current selection. | ||
SHIFT + BACKSPACE | With multiple cells selected, select only the active cell. | ||
CTRL + SHIFT + SPACEBAR | Selects the entire worksheet. If the worksheet contains data, CTRL + SHIFT + SPACEBAR selects the current region. CTRL + SHIFT + SPACEBAR a second time selects the entire worksheet. When an object is selected, CTRL + SHIFT + SPACEBAR selects all objects on a worksheet | ||
Ctrl + Alt + L | Reapply the filter and sort on the current range so that changes you’ve made are included | Data, Reapply | Excel 2007+ |
Ctrl + Alt + V | Displays the Paste Special dialog box. Available only after you have cut or copied an object, text, or cell contents on a worksheet or in another program. | Home, Paste, Paste Special. | Excel 2007+ |
A special thanks goes out to Shane Devenshire who provided most of the shortcuts in this list!
How do I drag to resize columns?
Resize columns – Hover your cursor on the right edge of a column. Click on the arrow icon that will appear. Click and drag the arrow to adjust column width.
How do you quickly change data in Excel?
Edit or rearrange a series –
Click on the chart. On the ribbon, click Chart Design and then click Select Data, This selects the data range of the chart and displays the Select Data Source dialog box. To edit a legend series, in the Legend entries (series) box, click the series you want to change. Then, edit the Name and Y values boxes to make any changes. Note: Changes you make may break links to the source data on the worksheet. or arrows.