How to add columns in Excel: single, multiple, every other

How to add a column in Excel

The traditional and most straightforward way to add a column in Excel is by using the right-click menu. Follow these steps:

1. Select a column to the left of which you want to insert a new one. To highlight the entire column, click on the column header.
2. Right-click on the selected column to open the context menu.
3. Choose Insert from the menu options.

Done! A new column will be added to the left of the selected column, causing the existing columns to shift to the right.

Another way to insert columns in Excel is by selecting a single cell, and then using the right-click menu. Here's how:

1. Right-click on any cell in the column.
2. From the context menu that appears, select the Insert command.
3. In the Insert menu that opens, choose the Entire column option and click OK.

Whichever method you use, you will notice the Insert Options button that appears next to the newly added column. This button provides three useful formatting options:

• Format Same As Left - the newly inserted column will inherit the formatting of the column to its immediate left (default). This is helpful when you want consistent formatting across adjacent columns.
• Format Same As Right - the newly inserted column will adopt the formatting of the column to its immediate right. This is also useful when you want the formatting of adjacent columns to match.
• Clear Formatting - will remove all formatting attributes, such as font styles, borders, and background colors, from the inserted column.

By utilizing these formatting options, you can easily manage the appearance of your spreadsheet as you insert new columns.

Insert a column in Excel using the ribbon

Excel Ribbon provides a range of options for quick data manipulation. To insert a new column using the ribbon button, this is what you need to do:

1. Select the column next to where you want to insert the new column.
2. On the Home tab, in the Cells group, click on the Insert dropdown arrow.
3. Select Insert Sheet Columns from the menu.

Excel will immediately insert a new column to the left of the selected one.

Insert column shortcut

Inserting a column in Excel can be accomplished swiftly with a keyboard shortcut. Follow these steps for a quick and simple way to add a new column:

1. Click on the letter button of the column immediately to the right of where you want to insert the new column.
2. Press the Ctrl + Shift + Plus sign keys simultaneously on the main keyboard or Ctrl + Plus on the numerical pad.

As with the previous methods, a new column will be inserted pushing the existing columns to the right.

How to insert multiple columns in Excel

Adding multiple columns in Excel can be done without the need to insert each one individually. Here's a more productive approach to inserting multiple columns at once:

Add multiple non-adjacent columns

If you need to insert non-contiguous columns in Excel, proceed in this way:

1. Select several non-adjacent columns by holding down the Ctrl key while clicking on the column letters.
2. Once the target columns are selected, you have two options to add new columns:
   • Press the Ctrl + Shift+ "+" shortcut, or
   • Right-click the selection, and then pick Insert from the pop-up menu.

This will insert a new column to the left of each selected column.

This method is particularly useful when you need to insert multiple columns at specific locations.

How to add column to table in Excel

If your spreadsheet is formatted as Excel Table, you have a handy method to add new columns:

1. Select any cell in the column next to where you wish to insert a new column.
2. Right-click on the selected cell, and then click Table Columns to the Left. This option is specifically available when working within an Excel table.

As a result, a new column will be inserted to the left of the selected cell within the table. By default, the new column will be named "Column1." However, you can easily change it according to your preference.

If you select a cell in the rightmost column of a table, you will have two options available:

• Insert Table Columns to the Left
• Insert Table Columns to the Right

With this functionality, Excel makes it convenient to expand and adjust your table structure based on your needs. For more details, see How to add or remove table columns and rows.

Add a column in Excel by dragging

Aside from the conventional methods of inserting columns in Excel, there is a non-traditional yet practical "drag-and-drop" technique that can be both useful and fun.

1. Select any blank column in your sheet by clicking on its header.
2. Hover your cursor over the right or left edge of the selected column until it transforms into a four-sided arrow, indicating that the column is ready to be moved.
3. Press and hold the Shift key on your keyboard. While holding the Shift key, drag the column to the desired location. As you drag the column, you will notice a green vertical line appearing, indicating the position where the column will be inserted upon releasing the mouse button.
4. Release the mouse button to drop the column in the required position.

By utilizing this drag-and-drop technique, you can quickly insert new columns in your worksheets while enjoying the interactive aspect of the process :)

How to insert column in Excel to the right

With traditional methods, columns are inserted to the left of the selected column. But what if you wish to add one or more columns to the right? This can be done using the Fill Handle:

1. Select the column to the right of which you want to add a new column(s).
2. When the entire column is selected, you will notice a small green square at the top right of the selection. This square is known as the "fill handle."
3. Position your cursor over the fill handle, and then press and hold the Shift key on your keyboard. As you do this, the cursor will change to two bars with arrows, indicating that you can insert a column.
4. While still holding the Shift key, left-click and drag the fill handle to the right to create as many new columns as you want.
5. Release the mouse button.

Done! One or more new columns are inserted to the right of the selected column.

How to insert blank column after every column in Excel

Many Excel users strive to save as much time as possible by automating frequent spreadsheet tasks. If you wish to automatically insert a blank column between every other column in your worksheet, you can utilize the following VBA code:

How to use the macro to insert every other column:

1. Add the code to your workbook. For the detailed steps, see How to insert VBA code in Excel.
2. Select the range in your worksheet where you want to insert columns.
3. Press Alt + F8 to open the macro dialog box.
4. Choose the InsertEveryOtherColumn macro.
5. Click Run to execute the code.

As a result, the macro will automatically insert a blank column after every existing column in the selected range. This lets you quickly and effortlessly organize your data in a desired pattern.

Practice workbook for download

VBA to insert every other column in Excel (.xlsm file)