How to Insert a Column Shortcut in Excel (4 Methods)

Method 1 – Using Shortcut Keywords

1.1 Using SHIFT + CTRL + Equal (=) Shortcut 

To add a column left of the “Name” column,

  • Select all of column C.

  • Press CTRL + SHIFT + Equal (=). A new column will be added to the left of the header “Name”. The result will look like the image below.

Insert one Column in shortcut


1.2 Using Shortcut ALT + I, C

To add a column to the left of the “Name” column,

  • Select all of column C.
  • Press ALT + I (Do not hold the keys).
  • Press C.

A new column will be added to the left of the header “Name”. The result will look like the image below.

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


Method 2 – Inserting Multiple Adjacent Columns 

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 the mouse.

OR

  • Hold the CTRL key and then select multiple columns.

  • Press CTRL + SHIFT + Equal (=)
    You will add two adjacent columns next to the “Name” column.

Insert Column Excel Shortcut multiple Column


2.2. Using Shortcut ALT + I, C

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 the mouse.

  • Press ALT + I.
  • Press C.

Two new columns adjacent to each other will be added to the left of the “Name” column.

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


Method 3 – Inserting Multiple Non-Adjacent Columns

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

To add two columns that will not be adjacent to each other, select column C and column D.
But this time,

  • Select column C.
  • Hold the CTRL Key and select column D.

  • Press CTRL + SHIFT + Equal (=). 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.

How to insert column in Excel in Shortcut


3.2. Using Shortcut ALT+I, C

  • Select column C.
  • Hold CTRL.
  • Select column D.

  • Press ALT + I.
  • Press C.

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.

How to insert column in Excel in Shortcut

Note: You must first select column C, then press CTRL Key, then select column D.

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


Method 4 – Inserting a Column Using VBA

To insert a column to the left of Column C,

Steps:

  • Go to the Developer tab >> select Visual Basic.

Insert Column using VBA

A new window will appear.

  • From Insert tab >> select Module.

  • Enter 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 the “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

A new column will be added to the left of the Name header.


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Download the workbook to practice.


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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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