by The tutorial shows different ways to switch rows to columns in Excel: formulas, VBA code, and a special tool.
Transposing data in Excel is the task familiar to many users. Quite often you build a complex table only to realize that it makes perfect sense to rotate it for better analysis or presentation of data in graphs.
In this article, you will find several ways to convert rows to columns (or columns to rows), whichever you call it, it's the same thing : ) These solutions work in all versions of Excel 2010 through Excel 365, cover many possible scenarios, and explain most typical mistakes.
Convert rows to columns in Excel using Paste Special
Suppose you have dataset similar to what you see in the upper part of the graphics below. The country names are organized in columns, but the list of countries is too long, so we'd better change columns to rows for the table to fit within the screen:
To switch rows to columns in Excel, perform these steps:
- Select the original data. To quickly select the whole table, i.e. all the cells with data in a spreadsheet, press Ctrl + Home and then Ctrl + Shift + End.
- Copy the selected cells either by right clicking the selection and choosing Copy from the context menu or by pressing Ctrl + C.
- Select the first cell of the destination range.
Be sure to select a cell that falls outside of the range containing your original data, so that the copy areas and paste areas do not overlap. For example, if you currently have 4 columns and 10 rows, the converted table will have 10 columns and 4 rows.
- Right click the destination cell and choose Paste Special from the context menu, then select Transpose.
For more information, please see How to use Paste Special in Excel.
Note. If your source data contain formulas, be sure to properly use relative and absolute references depending on whether they should be adjusted or remained locked to certain cells.
As, you have just seen, the Paste Special feature lets you perform row to column (or column to row) transformations literally in a few seconds. This method also copies the formatting of your original data, which adds one more argument in its favor.
However, this approach has two drawbacks that prevent it from being called a perfect solution for transposing data in Excel:
- It is not well suited for rotating fully-functional Excel tables. If you copy the whole table and then open the Paste Special dialog, you will find the Transpose option disabled. In this case, you need either to copy the table without column headers or convert it to a range first.
- Paste Special > Transpose does not link the new table with the original data, so it is well suited only for one-time conversions. Whenever the source data change, you'd need to repeat the process and rotate the table anew. No one would want to waste their time on switching the same rows and columns over and over again, right?
How to transpose a table and link it to the original data
Let's see how you can switch rows to columns using the familiar Paste Special technique, but connect the resulting table to the original dataset. The best thing about this approach is that whenever you change the data in the source table, the flipped table will reflect the changes and update accordingly.
- Copy the rows you want to convert to columns (or columns to be changed to rows).
- Select an empty cell in the same or another worksheet.
- Open the Paste Special dialog, as explained in the previous example and click Paste Link in the lower left-hand corner:
You will have a result similar to this:
- Select the new table and open Excel's Find and Replace dialog (or press Ctrl + H to get to the Replace tab straight away).
- Replace all "=" characters with "xxx" or any other character(s) that does not exist anywhere in your real data.
This will turn your table into something a bit scary, as you see in the screenshot below, but don't panic, just 2 more steps, and you'll achieve the desired result.
- Copy the table with "xxx" values, and then use Paste Special > Transpose to flip columns to rows
- Finally, open the Find and Replace dialog one more time to reverse the change, i.e. replace all "xxx" with "=" to restore the links to the original cells.
This is a bit long but elegant solution, isn't it? The only drawback of this approach is that the original formatting gets lost in the process and you will need to restore it manually (I'll show you a quick way to do this further on in this tutorial).
How to transpose in Excel using formulas
A quicker way to dynamically switch columns to rows in Excel is by using TRANSPOSE or INDEX/ADDRESS formula. Like the previous example, these formulas also keep the connections to the original data but work a bit differently.
Change rows to columns in Excel using TRANSPOSE function
As its name suggests, the TRANSPOSE function is specially designed for transposing data in Excel:
In this example, we are going to convert another table that lists U.S. states by population:
- Count the number of rows and columns in your original table and select the same number of blank cell, but in the other direction.
For example, our sample table has 7 columns and 6 rows, including headings. Since the TRANSPOSE function will change columns to rows, we select a range of 6 columns and 7 rows.
- With the empty cells selected, type this formula:
=TRANSPOSE(A1:G6)
- Since our formula needs to be applied to multiple cells, press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to make it an array formula.
Voilà, the columns are changed to rows, exactly as we wanted:
Advantages of TRANSPOSE function:
The main benefit of using the TRANSPOSE function is that the rotated table retains the connection to the source table and whenever you change the source data, the transposed table will change accordingly.
Weaknesses of TRANSPOSE function:
- The original table formatting is not saved in the converted table, as you see in the screenshot above.
- If there are any empty cells in the original table, the transposed cells will contain 0 instead. To fix this, use TRANSPOSE in combination with the IF function as explained in this example: How to transpose without zeros.
- You cannot edit any cells in the rotated table because it is very much dependent on the source data. If you try to change some cell value, you will end up with the "You cannot change part of an array" error.
Wrapping up, whatever good and easy-to-use the TRANSPOSE function is, it certainly lacks flexibility and therefore may not be the best way to go in many situations.
For more information, please see Excel TRANSPOSE function with examples.
Convert row to column with INDIRECT and ADDRESS functions
In this example, will be using a combination of two functions, which is a little bit tricky. So, let's rotate a smaller table so can better focus on the formula.
Suppose, you have data in 4 columns (A - D) and 5 rows (1 - 5):
To have columns switched to rows, do the following:
- Enter the below formula in the left most cell of the destination range, say A7, and press the Enter key:
=INDIRECT(ADDRESS(COLUMN(A1),ROW(A1))) - Copy the formula rightward and downwards to as many rows and columns as needed by dragging the a small black cross in the lower right hand corner of the selected cells:
That's it! In your newly created table, all of the columns are switched to rows.
If your data starts in some row other than 1 and column other than A, you will have to use a bit more complex formula:
=INDIRECT(ADDRESS(COLUMN(A1) - COLUMN($A$1) + ROW($A$1), ROW(A1) - ROW($A$1) + COLUMN($A$1)))
Where A1 is the top-left-most cell of your source table. Also, please mind the use of absolute and relative cell references.
However, the transposed cells look very plain and dull, compared to the original data:
But don't get disappointed, this problem can be easily fixed. To restore the original formatting, here's what you do:
- Copy the original table.
- Select the resulting table.
- Right click the resulting table and choose Paste Options > Formatting.
Advantages: This formula provides a more flexible way to turn rows to columns in Excel. It allows making any changes in the transposed table because you use a regular formula, not an array formula.
Shortcomings: I can see only one - the formatting of the ordinal data is lost. Though, you can quickly restore it, as shown above.
How this formula works
Now that you know how to use the INDIRECT / ADDRESS combination, you may want to get the insight of what the formula is actually doing.
As its name suggests, the INDIRECT function, is used to indirectly reference a cell. But the real power of INDIRECT is that it can turn any string into a reference, including a string that you build up using other functions and the values of other cells. And this is exactly what we are going to do. If you are following up to this, you will understand all the rest with ease : )
As you remember, we have used 3 more functions in the formula - ADDRESS, COLUMN and ROW.
The ADDRESS function obtains the cell address by the row and column numbers you specify, respectively. Please remember the order: first - row, second - column.
In our formula, we supply the coordinates in the reverse order, and this is what actually does the trick! In other words, this part of the formula ADDRESS(COLUMN(A1),ROW(A1)) swaps rows to columns, i.e. takes a column number and changes it to a row number, then takes a row number and turns it to a column number.
Finally, the INDIRECT function outputs the rotated data. Nothing dreadful at all, is it?
Transpose data in Excel using VBA macro
To automate the conversion of rows to columns in Excel, you can use the following macro:
To add a macro to your worksheet, please follow the guidelines described in How to insert and run VBA code in Excel.
Note. Transposing with VBA, has a limitation of 65536 elements. In case your array exceeds this limit, the extra data will be silently cast away.
How to use the macro to convert row to column
With the macro inserted in your workbook, perform the below steps to rotate your table:
- Open the target worksheet, press Alt + F8, select the TransposeColumnsRows macro, and click Run.
- Select the range where you want to switch rows and columns and click OK:
- Select the upper left cell of the destination range and click OK:
Enjoy the result :)
Switch columns and rows with the Transpose tool
If you need to perform row to column transformations on a regular basis, you may actually be looking for a faster and simpler way. Luckily, I have such a way in my Excel, and so do other users of our Ultimate Suite :)
Let me show you how to switch rows and columns in Excel literally in a couple of clicks:
- Select any single cell within your table, go to the Ablebits tab > Transform group, and click the Transpose button.
- The default settings work fine in most case, so you simply click Transpose without changing anything.
If you'd like to Paste values only or Create links to source data to force the rotated table to update automatically with every change you make to the original table, select the corresponding option.
Done! The table is transposed, the formatting is preserved, no further manipulations are needed:
If you are curious to try this and 70+ other professional tools for Excel, I invite you to download a trial version of our Ultimate Suite. Thank you for reading and I hope to see you on our blog next week!
74 comments
very nice and useful.
1
2
3
4
kindly share the fromula
1,2,3,4
Hello All,
I have Pivot Data as below:
Expense Claim ID Sum of Reimbursement Amount
EXC050646 2,000.00
EXC050647 5,000.00
EXC051002 4,000.00
EXC051003 5,000.00
-----------------------------
EXC050499 2,000.00
EXC050736 5,000.00
EXC050887 5,000.00
EXC051055 3,000.00
EXC051334 5,000.00
I want it to be transpose as below:
Claim ID 1 Claim ID 2 Claim ID 3 Claim ID 4 Amount 1 Amount 2 Amount 3 Amount 4
EXC050646 EXC050647 EXC051002 EXC051003 2000 5000 4000 5000
EXC050499 EXC050736 EXC050887 EXC051055 2000 5000 5000 3000
my data is
1) Sanjeev
123, Rajouri
New Delhi-110027
2) Sanjeev 2
456, Uttam Nagar
New Delhi
3) Sanjeev 3
789, Raja Garden
New Delhi-110028
How to add this data from rows to column I used transpose but need to all data in one short i.e.
Sanjeev 1 123, Rajouri New Delhi
Sanjeev 2 345 Uttam Nagar New Delhi
Sanjeev 3 789 Raja Garden New Delhi-110028
Thank you Svetlana.
anyone know how to get data from this
Value dataA dataB dataC
Car X Y Z
to this
Car X
Car Y
Car Z
Sub Macro1()
Application.ScreenUpdating = False
Sheet1.Select
Cells(ActiveWindow.SplitRow + 1, ActiveWindow.SplitColumn + 1).Select
ActiveCell.Offset(3, 0).Select ' Position Row 3
J = 0
BB = 0
While J 20 Then GoTo End1
End If
'ActiveCell.End(xlToLeft).Select
'ActiveCell.Offset(0, 0).Select
A1 = ActiveCell.Value
If A1 "" Then J = 0
If A1 = "" And J > 0 Then
ActiveCell.Offset(1, 0).Select ' move down
Else
ActiveCell.Offset(1, 0).Select
End If
Sheet2.Activate
ActiveCell.Value = A1
BB = BB + 1
If A1 = "" Then
ActiveCell.Offset(1, -(BB - 1)).Select
BB = 0
Else
ActiveCell.Offset(0, 1).Select
End If
Sheet1.Activate
End1:
Wend
Application.ScreenUpdating = True
End Sub
Hi, I have a large data set (500000 columns). Certain data contained within the row I need to transpose into a new row. For example a row will contain part number, 1mg pack size, price, 2mg pack size, price etc.
I would be hoping to transpose so it reads,
Part number, 1mg pack size, price
Part number, 2mg pack size, price
Etc
Is this possible?
Thanks
Good Afternoon -
I'm going to do my best to make this look right on the screen.
3128
Product number: 7896
Product: Apples
Importer: Rick
Owner: Gyna
Name of receiver: Bill
Number of cases: 1232
Date: 10/15/18
Amount: $3.00
7898
Product number: 456
Product: Oranges
Importer: Richard
Owner: Gyna
Name of receiver: Henry
Number of cases: 1
Date: 10/15/18
Amount: $13.00
Approval: N/A
OK... so I need this transposed. There are hundreds of these. Some on them have 5 lines of information, some 6 and some 7.
Is there a macro that can tell Excel 2016 to grab the information from a row labeled ie "owner" and place it in a column named "owner"?
I am dealing with garbage data.
Does this even make sense?
And mind you... This information has been exported out of a PDF. They are purposely making this difficult if I have to guess.
Dear all,
i have a problem, i have following situation, everything is in column A
A1
A2
A3
A4
B1
B2
B3
B4
and so on, i want to look like this
A1 A2 A3 A4
B1 B2 B3 B4
I tried formula from this tutorial but it's only good for first row, later everything is mixed up. I obviously doing something wrong but can't see it.
Thanks in advance.
Kind regards
Dario
Dario:
Select the cells you want to transpose. In your case select the first four cells, select Copy. Move the cursor to the right one column. Select the first cell, right click and select Paste Special, select Transpose, click OK. Select the next four cells, select Copy, move the cursor one column to the right, select the first cell and right click. Select Paste Special, select Transpose click ok.
Repeat this process until you've moved all the data.
Hi,
This is Vivek, while I writing the function not getting proper data.My input is below.
Jan 100
Feb 200
Mar 300
Apr 400
While pasting check the Transpose Its works properly but while writing function(=TRANSPOSE(A1:B4) and press Ctl+Shift+Enter) I'm getting output is Jan only didn't get all values.I'm using Excel 2007.Please let me know.
Thanks,
Vivek
To add to the above description I have 20,000 questions along with their answers in this single column file.
Ryan:
Because each Copy/Transpose procedure has to be done with a specific number of rows that you choose, I would say this has to be done manually. After which you'll have to go through the data and clean it up. That question being split is a problem by itself. Sorry.
Just need to put your head down and grind through it.
Hi Team,
I need some help:
I have the question along with 4 answers listed in a single column (column a) in excel
EG:
q) The color of the
sky is
a) blue
b) green
c) silver
d) purple
The sky is blue because blah
blah blah blah
I need to transpose this to the format below where the question and each answer and finally the description is stored in a separate column:
q) the color of the sky is a) blue b) green c) silver d) purple The s
Please suggest a solution.
THANKS FOR HELP
It is realy an interesting lecture. However, I am not able to transpose one column into multiple of rows of cumulative data at every two years. eg. it refuses to transpose when i want to transpose 1-2 year of data from the column to the first row, 2-3 years of data from the same column to the second row,3-4 years of data to the third row etc.......cumulatively.
thank you in advance.
Hi
I have a really large file up to 30000 rows. I need to extract one column based on another column and transpose. I've installed your tool but it isn't showing the wizard as described. I need to transpose below but pivot tables aren't helping... will your tool help?
DocN DocTitle
1006 ABCE Pathway fred
1006 ABCE Pathway mardy
1006 ABCE Pathway pod
1006 ABCE Pathway pony
1006 ABCE Pathway mouse
1007 HIJK Guidance veg
1007 HIJK Guidance meat
1007 HIJK Guidance biscuits
1007 HIJK Guidance honey
1029 Pod Form green
1029 Pod Form blue
1029 Pod Form red
1029 Pod Form yellow
1029 Pod Form blue box
1029 Pod Form hat
1019 Pod Fod green wall
1019 Pod Fod blue
1019 Pod Fod red ball
1019 Pod Fod yellow
1019 Pod Fod blue box
1019 Pod Fod hat
1019 Pod Fod bluey
DocN DocTitle
1006 ABCE Pathway fred mardy pod pony mouse
1007 HIJK Guidance veg meat biscuits honey
1029 Pod Form green blue red yellow blue box hat
1019 Pod Fod green wall blue red ball yellow blue box hat bluey
Dear Team,
Good Day!
Could you help me to find the solution for propble,
I have the date like below
I have data like this But, In need to tranpouse like below
ID Type2 Code
VST2754800 Principal 714.9 714.9 041.9 268.9 274.9 460 714.0 790.6
VST2754800 Secondary 041.9
VST2754800 Secondary 268.9
VST2754800 Secondary 274.9
VST2754800 Secondary 460
VST2754800 Secondary 714.0
VST2754800 Secondary 790.6
VST2827596 Principal I10 I10 E56.9 E78.4 K30 R10.11 R30.0 R53.83
VST2827596 Secondary E56.9
VST2827596 Secondary E78.4
VST2827596 Secondary K30
VST2827596 Secondary R10.11
VST2827596 Secondary R30.0
VST2827596 Secondary R53.83
Hello,
Please try using a VBA macro. We are always ready to help you, but we do not cover the programming area (VBA-related questions).
You may try to find the solution in VBA sections on mrexcel.com or excelforum.com.
Sorry we can’t assist you better.
Fantastic
Very helpful. Thanks.
may i please now how to transpose column values that have been auto-calculated into rows