Move Columns

 

Shift Key | Insert Cut Cells | Magic Move

To move columns in Excel, use the shift key or use Insert Cut Cells. You can also change the order of all columns in one magic move.

Shift Key

To quickly move columns in Excel without overwriting existing data, press and hold the shift key on your keyboard.

1. First, select a column.

Select Column

2. Hover over the border of the selection. A four-sided arrow appears.

Four-sided Arrow

3. Press and hold the Shift key on your keyboard.

4. Click and hold the left mouse button.

Click and Hold the Left Mouse Button

5. Move the column to the new position.

Move Column

6. Release the left mouse button.

7. Release the shift key.

Result:

Moved Column in Excel

To move multiple columns in Excel without overwriting existing data.

8. First, select multiple columns by clicking and dragging over the column headers.

Select Multiple Columns

9. Repeat steps 2-7.

Result:

Moved Columns in Excel

Note: in a similar way, you can move a single row or multiple rows in Excel.

Insert Cut Cells

If you prefer the old-fashioned way, execute the following steps.

1. First, select a column.

Select Column

2. Right click, and then click Cut.

Click Cut

3. Select a column. The column will be inserted before the selected column.

Insert Column Before Selected Column

4. Right click, and then click Insert Cut Cells.

Insert Cut Cells

Result:

Column Moved

Note: in a similar way, you can move multiple columns, a single row or multiple rows.

Magic Move

Finally, you can change the order of all columns in one magic move. Are you ready?

1. Select row 1.

2. Right click, and then click Insert.

Click Insert

3. Use the first row to indicate the new order of the columns (Sales, Quarter, Country, Last Name).

4. Select the data.

New Order of Columns

5. On the Data tab, in the Sort & Filter group, click Sort.

Click Sort

The Sort dialog box appears.

6. Click Options.

Click Options

7. Click Sort left to Right and click OK.

Sort Left to Right

8. Select Row 1 from the ‘Sort by’ drop-down list and click OK.

Sort Columns

9. Delete row 1.

Result:

Magic Move

Note: this technique is pretty impressive if you need to rearrange the order of many columns.