Md. Araf Bin Jayed
In Microsoft Excel, the worksheets consist of rows and columns. Sometimes, the user needs to rearrange the columns in Excel for their working purposes. In this article, we will show you how to rearrange columns in Excel using four easy ways.
How to Rearrange Columns in Excel (4 Handy Ways)
For the demonstration of rearranging columns in Excel, we will take the following data set. Then we will apply all four methods to rearrange the columns. In this article you will see the use of keyboard and mouse, the application of the Cut and Paste method, the usage of the Sort command, and the SORT function to rearrange columns in Excel.
1. Use Keyboard and Mouse to Rearrange Columns in Excel
This is the easiest way to move a column in Excel. By using both the keyboard and mouse at the same time, you can move columns. Follow the outlined steps below to accomplish the task.
Step 1:
- Firstly, select the column you want to rearrange. Take the mouse cursor on top of that column.
- When the mouse cursor changes into an arrow icon, select and highlight the column.
Step 2:
- Secondly, press and hold the Shift key on the keyboard.
- Position the cursor of your mouse on the highlighted column border to the left or right as you desire.
- Keep the cursor on the border until you see the cross-arrow pointer.
Step 3:
- After that, hold the left button of the mouse to drag and drop the column right where you need it.
Step 4:
- Finally, this action will rearrange the column in its new place.
Read More: How to Autofit All Columns in Excel
2. Apply Cut and Paste Method to Rearrange Columns in Excel
Another easy way to move columns is by applying the Cut and Paste method in Excel. The following steps show you how you can move columns in Excel by applying this method.
Step 1:
- First, select the column you want to move.
Step 2:
- Then, press Ctrl + X on your keyboard to activate the “Cut” command. After activating the command, you will notice a dotted border line around your selected column.
Step 3:
- Thirdly, highlight a column to the right or left of where you want to paste the previously selected column.
- Then, right-click on the mouse and select the Paste option.
Step 4:
- Finally, you will see the new column in its rearranged destination.
Read More: How to Adjust Column Width in Excel
3. Apply Sort Command to Rearrange Columns in Excel
Another way to rearrange columns in Excel is by applying the Sort command. The following steps will help you move columns using this procedure.
Step 1:
- In the following procedure, you will add a new row to the very top of your table or data set.
- To do this, right-click on the upper row of your data set and select Insert.
- This process will insert a new row.
Step 2:
- Then, number the new row according to your rearrangement choice or requirement.
Step 3:
- Next, select all of your data set including the new row by pressing Ctrl + A.
- Go to the Data tab on the ribbon.
Step 4:
- Then, click on the Sort command in the Sort & Filter group.
Step 5:
- A new box will pop up.
- First, go to the Options menu and choose the Sort left to right option.
- Then, from the Sort by drop-down list, choose the number of the new row that we created in the beginning of this method.
- From the Order drop-down list, choose either Smallest to Largest or Largest to Smallest.
Step 6:
- Finally, you will see the rearranged column.
- You can delete the numbers on top of the table by right-clicking on the row number.
Read More: How to Hide Columns in Excel
4. Use SORT Function to Rearrange Columns in Excel
The SORT function method is a little more complicated than the previous one for rearranging columns in Excel. In this method, you can rearrange the whole data table by keeping the old one intact. To apply this method, you have to follow the steps given below.
Step 1:
- First, take your data set and insert a new row at the top of your data table.
- Number the new row according to the rearrangement recommendation.
Step 2:
- Now select the cell where you want to rearrange your previous data table. In the formula bar, enter the following formula according to your data table position.
- For our data set, we will choose the table along with the new row which ranges from Cell B4:F15. For our data range, type the following formula with the SORT function.
=SORT(B4:F15,1,1,true)
Step 3:
- Finally, after pressing Enter you can see the newly rearranged data table.
Step 4:
- You will see the numbered row at the top of the data table. But you cannot delete the row just like the previous method. Because this row is also a part of the SORT function
- So, you can hide this row instead of deleting it by right-clicking on the row.
- After selecting the Hide option, the entire number row will be hidden from the data table.
Read More: How to Move Columns in Excel
Download Practice Workbook
You can download the free Excel workbook from here and practice on your own.
Conclusion
That’s the end of this article. I hope you find this article helpful. After reading this article, you will be able to rearrange columns in Excel by using any of the methods. Please share any further queries or recommendations with us in the comments section below.
