How to Swap Columns in Excel (5 Methods)

While using MS Excel, sometimes we need to swap columns. There are many easy ways to swap columns in Microsoft Excel. I discuss here five time-saving and quick methods. If you follow these methods, you will easily swap columns in Excel.

Let’s say, we have a data set where First Names, Last Names, and their Salaries with Countries are given in Column B, Column C, Column E, and Column D respectively. We have taken the names randomly. We will have to swap columns in Excel using these columns. In this section, we will discuss six easy and time-saving methods to do it.

1. Applying the Shift Method to Swap Columns in Excel

In this method, we’ll swap between the Salaries column (Column E) and the Countries column(Column D). Following the steps to swap the columns in Excel.

Step 1:

At this time, you select cell E3 and press the Shift key and Down array button simultaneously on your keyboard, and in this way select up to cell E11.

Step 2:

Now move the cursor of the mouse to any border side of the selected area. After that four-direction arrow sign pops up and then press and hold the shift key by pressing the Left button of the mouse and moving it to your desired location where a vertical bold line will be shown.

Step 3:

Finally, release the Left click and Shift buttons serially and column E and column D swap each other.

2. Applying the Cut and Paste Method  to Swap Columns in Excel

After performing the Shift Method, We will learn about the Cut and Paste Method. Now, we will swap between column C and column D. For swapping these two columns in Excel, we can follow the steps:
Step 1:

• Firstly you select column C

Step 2:

• After that, press Ctrl + X on your keyboard.
• Now select a cell E5. In this cell press Right-click on your Mouse then a window pops up.
• Then click the Insert Cut Cells.

Step 3:

After doing this process finally, we will be able to swap our desired columns like the picture that is given below.

3. Using the Home Ribbon to Swap Columns in Excel

Suppose, for our dataset, we want to swap the columns in between Column E and Column C along with Column D. Let’s follow the following steps to swap columns in Excel.

Steps :

• Firstly, select column E

• After that go to the Home tab. Then go to Clipboard Command and click on the Cut sign.

• Then select cell C4 and press Right-click on your Mouse on the cell and instantly a new window appears in front of you. From that window click on the Insert Cut Cells.

• Finally, you will get your output.

4. Applying Keyboard Shortcut to Swap Multiple Columns in Excel

Now we will swap column B with column C by using the Keyboard Shortcuts Method. For swapping these two columns in Excel first select the column B and then press Ctrl + X

Now, select column C and hold Ctrl +  Plus Sign (+) on the numeric keypad.

After that select column C and press Ctrl+X. 

Again select column B and press Ctrl + Plus Sign (+) on the numeric keypad.

At last, we’ll get our output of the Keyboard Shortcuts Method.

5. Using Sort Feature to Swap Columns

You can also call the SORT Method the Swap Multiple Columns Method. Because in this method we are swapping in multiple columns in Excel. Let’s follow the steps:

Step 1:

• First, we classify the columns First Names, Last Names, Countries, and Salaries as 2, 3, 4, and 1

Step 2:

Then go to the Data menu bar and select the Sort command from the Sort & Filter drop-down. After selecting the SORT command a dialog box pops up and then clicks the Options tab and then selects the button named Sort left to right. After that press the OK.

• Then press the Sort by box, select row3, and finally press OK on the dialog box.

• Performing all the steps you will be swapped among the columns like the picture that has given below.

Things to Remember

• you can use keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl + X, Ctrl + C, and Ctrl + P to Cut, Copy, and Paste for selecting a column or a row.
• By using the SORT Command to swap columns in Excel follow the instructions:

Data > Sort > Options > Sort Left to Right > OK > Sort by row > OK

Download Practice Workbook

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

Conclusion

In this article, I discuss the five easiest methods to swap columns in Excel. Hope this will help you! If you have any questions, suggestions, or feedback please let us know in the comment section. Your feedback is an inspiration for us.

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