How to Swap Columns in Excel (5 Methods)

Let’s assume we have a dataset with First Names, Last Names, Salaries, and Countries in Columns B, C, E, and D respectively.

Method 1 – Applying the Shift Method to Swap Columns in Excel

Steps:

• Select cell E3 and hold down the Shift key while pressing the Down arrow button on your keyboard to select cells up to E11.

• Move the mouse cursor to any border of the selected area. When a four-direction arrow appears, hold the Shift key, click the left mouse button, and drag it to the desired location where a vertical bold line will be displayed.
• Release the left mouse click and Shift key sequentially to swap columns E and D.

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

Steps:

• Select column C

• Press Ctrl + X on your keyboard.
• Select cell E5, Right-click, and choose Insert Cut Cells from the menu that appears.

• Once you complete this process, your chosen columns will be swapped as shown below.

Method 3 – Using the Home Ribbon to Swap Columns in Excel

Steps:

• Select column E

• Go to the Home tab, navigate to the Clipboard Command, and click on the Cut icon.

• Select cell C4, Right-click on your Mouse and choose Insert Cut Cells.

• Your desired columns will be swapped.

Method 4 – Applying Keyboard Shortcut to Swap Multiple Columns in Excel

Steps:

• Select column B and press Ctrl + X.

• Select column C and hold Ctrl +  Plus Sign (+) on the numeric keypad.

• Select column C and press Ctrl+X. 
  
• Select column B and press Ctrl + Plus Sign (+) on the numeric keypad.

• The output of the Keyboard Shortcuts Method will be ready.

Method 5 – Using Sort Feature to Swap Columns

Steps:

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

• Go to the Data menu bar, select the Sort command from the Sort & Filter drop-down. In the dialog box that pops up, click on the Options tab, choose Sort left to right, and then press OK.

• In the Sort by box, select row 3, and press OK on the dialog box.

• The columns will be swapped as shown below.

Things to Remember

• You can use keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl + X, Ctrl + C, and Ctrl + P to Cut, Copy, and Paste operations when selecting a column or row.
• To swap columns using the SORT Command in Excel, follow these instructions: Data > Sort > Options > Sort Left to Right > OK > Sort by row > OK.

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