Shortcuts to Insert Column in Excel (4 Easiest Ways)

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We are often required to insert a column to an existing dataset in Excel. This is a really easy task and you can do it in various ways. In this article, I will discuss four ways to insert a column Excel shortcut that will make your tasks more interesting and easy.


Shortcuts to Insert Column in Excel: 4 Shortcut Ways

1. Using Shortcut Keywords to Insert a Column in Excel

You can easily insert a column in your existing dataset as a shortcut. Here, basically, I am going to discuss two shortcuts that you can apply in your Excel datasheet.


1.1 Using SHIFT + CTRL + Equal (=) Shortcut 

Suppose you want to add a column left to the “Name” header.
Since “Name” is in column C.
➤ Select Entire column C.

Then press CTRL + SHIFT + Equal (=)
A new column will be added to the left of the header “Name”. The output will be like this.

Insert one Column in shortcut


1.2 Using Shortcut ALT + I, C

To add a column to the left of the “Name” column,
➤ Select the entire column C. Because the header “Name” is in column C.

Then,
⇒ Press ALT + I (Do not hold the keys).
⇒ And finally, press C.

A new column will be added to the left of the header “Name”. The output will be like this

Read More: How to Insert Column without Affecting Formulas in Excel


2. Insert Multiple Adjacent Columns Using Excel Shortcut

I am going to show two ways to insert multiple adjacent columns by using keyboard shortcuts.


2.1. Using Shortcut SHIFT + CTRL + Equal (=)

To add two adjacent columns to the left of column C, select column C, and column D at once by right-clicking and dragging my mouse.
Or you can hold the CTRL key and then select multiple columns.

Then press CTRL + SHIFT + Equal (=)
Thus you will add two adjacent columns next to the “Name” column. The output will be like this.

Insert Column Excel Shortcut multiple Column


2.2. Using Shortcut ALT + I, C

You can also use a keyboard shortcut to insert multiple adjacent columns.
To insert two adjacent columns to the left of the “Name” header, select column C and column D at once by right clicking and dragging my mouse.

Then,
→ Press ALT + I.
→And finally C.

Thus two new columns adjacent to each other will be added to the left of the “Name” column. The output will be like this.

Note:
You must select column C and column D at once by right-clicking and dragging the mouse.


3. Insert Multiple Non Adjacent Columns Using Shortcut

I’m going to show you two cases here too.


3.1. Using Shortcut SHIFT + CTRL + Equal (=)

This time you are going to insert two non-adjacent columns in Excel using shortcuts. To add two columns that will not be adjacent to each other, select column C and column D again.
But this time,
➤ First, select column C.
➢ Then hold the CTRL Key and select column D.

Then press CTRL + SHIFT + Equal (=)
This time, two new columns will appear, but they will not be adjacent to each other. One will be to the left of the header “Name” and another one to the left of the “Sales” header.
The output will be like this.

How to insert column in Excel in Shortcut


3.2. Using Shortcut ALT+I, C

To apply this shortcut and add multiple non-adjacent columns,
➤ First select column C.
➢ Then hold CTRL Key.
➤ And finally select column D.

Then,
⇒Press ALT + I.
⇒And finally, press C.

This time, two new columns will appear, but they will not be adjacent to each other. One will be to the left of the header “Name” and another one to the left of the “Sales” header.
The output will be like this.

How to insert column in Excel in Shortcut

Note:

You must first select column C.
Then press CTRL Key.
And then select column D.

Read More: How to Insert a Column Between Every Other Column in Excel


4. Insert Column Using VBA

Now I am going to show how to insert a new column using VBA. To insert a column to the left of Column C,
Go to Developer tab >> select Visual Basic.

Insert Column using VBA

A new window will appear.
Then from Insert tab >> select Module.

After that, write the following code in the Module.

Sub Shortcut_to_Insert_Column()
Range("D3").EntireColumn.Insert
End Sub

Here,
⇒ In the Sub Shortcut_to_Insert_Column, I have used the “Entire Column” property and “Insert” method.
➤ And I have used C2 to refer to the whole Column C.
To run the program from the Run tab >> select Run Sub/UserForm.

Insert Column in Excel in Shortcut

As a result, a new column will be added to the left of the Name header.


Download Practice Workbook

Practice is indeed the single most important factor in getting used to these shortcut methods. So, I have attached a practice workbook where you can practice inserting a new column using these shortcuts.

Insert Column Excel Shortcut


Conclusion

I tried to explain 4 ways to insert a column Excel shortcut. These different shortcut ways will definitely help you add new columns in Excel. And lastly, if you have any kind of suggestions, ideas, or feedback please feel free to comment down below.


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Akib Bin Rashid
Akib Bin Rashid

AKIB BIN RASHID, a materials and metallurgical engineer, is passionate about delving into Excel and VBA programming. To him, programming is a valuable time-saving tool for managing data, files, and internet-related tasks. Proficient in MS Office, AutoCAD, Excel, and VBA, he goes beyond the fundamentals. Holding a B.Sc in Materials and Metallurgical Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, MD AKIB has transitioned into a content development role. Specializing in creating technical content centred around Excel and... Read Full Bio

2 Comments
  1. Very useful.

  2. Extraordinary! Brilliant

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