Sabrina Ayon
In Microsoft Excel, the column is basically the vertical arrangement of cells in the spreadsheet. Columns are arranged from up to down. In this article, we will learn how to add columns in excel.
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5 Different Ways to Add Columns in Excel
Adding a column denotes inserting a new column to the existing dataset. Sometimes, we fail to remember to add data into a prepared worksheet. We can add new columns by following some quick and simple ways below.
1. Add Columns by Right-Clicking in Excel
In the following example, column B contains the employee names and column C contains their salaries. Assume that we need to add new columns after the employee names.
1.1. Adding Single Column
Let’s assume that we want to include an extra column to the right side in column B.
Steps:
➤First, directly select column C. Then, right-click on the mouse button and pick Insert from the menu bar.
➤There you go! Excel has added a new empty column C and all the values are transferred into column D, just as we wanted.
1.2. Add Multiple Columns
If we wish to add more columns, we don’t have to do it gradually. Assume that we appetite to add two blank columns bounded by column B and column C.
Steps:
➤As we know that excel adds additional columns to the left of the chosen part. So, we will pick column C.
➤Then, we click and hold the left mouse button and pull to two columns on the right side. Now, right-click on the preferred columns and select Insert.
➤After that, we can see the two columns added to our worksheet. By following these steps, we can add as many columns as we need.
Read More: How to Select Every Other Column in Excel (3 Methods)
2. Insert Columns by Using Home Tab
Similar to the above dataset, we can also add columns from the Home tab in the ribbon.
2.1. Insert a Single Column in Excel
Let’s go through the following steps to see how this feature works to insert a single column.
Steps:
➤First, select the column to the right of where we want to insert the new column. After that, click the Insert drop-down arrow. Then, select the Insert Sheet Columns option or we can just click the insert button.
➤Finally, a newly selected column has been inserted.
2.2. Insert Multiple Columns in Excel
Now, we will see the subsequent steps to perceive how this feature attempts to insert multiple columns.
Steps:
➤In the beginning, select multiple columns by clicking and dragging over the column headers. For example, select column C and column D.
➤After that, right-click, and click the Insert drop-down button. Then, select the Insert Sheet Columns option.
➤Now, we can see two new columns added to our worksheet.
3. Add Columns Using Keyboard Shortcut
In the following dataset, column B contains the name of the employees, column C contains the designation and column C contains their salaries. Now, if we want to quickly insert columns, there are some keyboard shortcuts.
3.1. Insert a Single Column
Take a peek at the keyboard shortcut to insert a single column.
Steps:
➤First, select the column. Here we want a new column.
➤Now, press Ctrl, Shift & + together.
➤There we go, a new column inserted into our worksheet.
3.2. Add Up Multiple New Columns
Let’s have a look at the keyboard shortcut for adding multiple new columns in excel.
Steps:
➤Firstly, select the columns to the right of where you want a new column or press Ctrl and Space together.
➤Now, press Ctrl and Shift ++ to add multiple columns.
Similar Readings
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- Swap Columns in Excel (5 Methods)
- How to Group and Ungroup Columns or Rows in Excel
4. VBA Code to Insert Columns in Excel
Likewise the above dataset in Method 1 we are going to use VBA code for adding columns in an excel spreadsheet. Many of us like to use the VBA macro to insert columns.
➤Firstly, select the columns of our spreadsheet.
➤Go to the Visual Basic from Developer tab in the ribbon. This will open the visual basic editor.
➤Click the Insert drop-down and select This will insert a new module window.
➤Or, just right-click on the spreadsheet. Go to View Code.
➤After that, write the VBA Code.
VBA Code:
Sub AddColumns()
Dim colNo, colStrt, colEnd, colStep As Long
Dim rng2Insert As Range
colStep = 2
colStrt = Application.Selection.Cells(1, 1).Column + 1
colEnd = (ActiveSheet.UsedRange.SpecialCells( _
xlCellTypeLastCell).Column * 2) - colStrt
Application.ScreenUpdating = False
Application.Calculation = xlCalculationManual
For colNo = colStrt To colEnd Step colStep
ActiveSheet.Cells(1, colNo).EntireColumn.Insert
Next
Application.ScreenUpdating = True
Application.Calculation = xlCalculationAutomatic
End Sub➤Copy and paste the VBA code in the window. Then click on Run or use the keyboard shortcut (F5) to execute the macro code.
➤And finally, a new column is added to the worksheet.
Read More: How to Select an Entire Column in Excel (5 Quick Methods)
5. Add Columns to a Formatted Excel Table
For formatted excel tables, the way of adding columns is the same as the above-shown methods.
Steps:
➤First, right-click on the mouse and select Table Columns to the Right or Table Column to the Left. Here, we are selecting the Table Column to the Left
➤And a newly inserted column is added as a formatted table to our worksheet.
Conclusion
By following the steps, you can easily add columns to your workbook. All those methods are simple, fast, and reliable. Hope this will help you! If you have any questions, suggestions, or feedback please let us know in the comment section. Or you can have a glance at our other articles in the ExcelDemy.com blog!
