How to Select Specific Columns in Excel (4 Easy Methods)

While working in Microsoft Excel sometimes we need to select specific adjacent or non-adjacent columns to rearrange them. It might seem difficult to you when selecting multiple columns from a worksheet. Today, in this article, I am sharing with you how to select specific columns in Excel.

How to Select Specific Columns in Excel: 4 Simple Methods

In the following, I have described 4 simple methods to select specific columns in Excel.

Suppose we have a dataset of some Product, Quantity, Unit Price, and Total Price. Now we will select a specific column of our choice with some quick tricks.

1. Keyboard Shortcut to Select Specific Columns

You can use a simple keyboard shortcut to select specific columns. Just hold the CTRL key from the keyboard and click multiple column letters. It’s that simple. Follow the instructions below-

Steps:

• While in the worksheet select any column of your choice. Here, I have chosen column B.
• Hence, hold the CTRL key from the keyboard.

• Now, click on multiple column letters to select them.
• Finally, you have selected specific columns of your choice in your worksheet. Simple isn’t it?

Read More: How to Select Every Other Column in Excel

2. Using of Name Box to Select Specific Columns

If you want you can also use the Name Box to select multiple specific columns.

Steps:

• Presently, opening your worksheet type C:C, F:F inside the Name Box. Here I am selecting columns C & F. Thus I put C:C, F:F inside the Name Box.

• Simply, hit ENTER and you will see the specific columns C & F selected from the worksheet.

3. Utilize Define Name Feature

In some cases, you might need to work with multiple columns again and again. Well, you don’t need to select them every time when you work with the chosen columns. You can define a name and choose your desired column from the Name Box to work more smoothly. Below I have shared the steps to do so-

Steps:

• First, opening the workbook visit Define Name from the Formulas feature.

• Next, provide a name in the Name section and select your desired columns in the Refers to section.
• Finish the process by hitting OK.

• Now, in the Name Box, you will get to see your desired name.
• Just select it from the drop-down list.

• In summary, you will see the specific columns selected from the worksheet.

4. VBA Code to Select Specific Columns

We often use VBA code to select specific columns because it’s super handy and easy to use. Using VBA code you can select specific columns too. Just go through the steps below-

Steps:

• Start by, pressing the ALT+F11 key from the keyboard to open Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications.

• In the new window open a new module and place the following code-

Sub Select_Specific_Columns()
Range("C1, E1").EntireColumn.Select
End Sub

• Next, press F5 or the Run icon from the dialog box to run the code.

• In conclusion, we have successfully selected specific columns from the worksheet.

How to Select Specific Rows in Excel

While working with a large dataset you might need to select specific rows for editing and calculating the final output. In this part, I will show you how to select multiple specific rows with a simple trick.

Steps:

• Start selecting a row (5) from the table.
• Next, hold the CTRL key from the keyboard.

• While holding the CTRL key click your desired row letter from the worksheet and your multiple specific rows will be selected. Simple isn’t it?

How to Select an Entire Column in Excel

We always search for shortcuts to work more effectively in our workstations. At the time of working, we often click or drag to select an entire column. Well, I have found a quick trick to choose an entire column from a worksheet. Follow the instructions below-

Steps:

• Suppose you have chosen cell (F8) from a worksheet. Now, to choose the whole column just press the CTRL+SPACEBAR key from the keyboard.

• Finally, you will get to see the whole column is selected. That’s it.

How to Select Multiple Columns in Excel

In the previous methods, we discussed selecting multiple columns with the CTRL key. But for selecting multiple adjacent columns with a single click you have to use the SHIFT key instead of the CTRL key. Follow the steps to learn-

Steps:

• Choose a column (C) from the worksheet and hold the SHIFT key.
• Then, click column letter F to select all the columns from C to F.

• In conclusion, you will get all the multiple columns chosen. Quite simple. Isn’t it?

Things to Remember

If you are a Mac user then you can hold the Command key and click your desired column letter to select multiple columns from your worksheet.

Download Practice Workbook

Download this practice workbook to exercise while you are reading this article.

Conclusion

In this article, I have tried to cover all the methods to select specific columns in Excel. Take a tour of the practice workbook and download the file to practice by yourself. I hope you find it helpful. Please inform us in the comment section about your experience.

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