Swapping Columns in Excel: A Simple Guide
Hey there! Like many Excel users, I often find myself needing to rearrange columns in my spreadsheet tables. But guess what? Excel doesn’t make it easy for us with any fancy options. However, fear not! I’ve discovered a few nifty tricks to help you swap columns around, even without a dedicated tool. Let’s dive right in!
Method 1: Copy and Paste Hotkeys
So, you might already be familiar with the Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V hotkeys – a lifesaver for copying and pasting things in Windows. Well, guess what? You can use these trusty hotkeys to swap columns too! But hold on a second—it’s not as straightforward as it seems. Let me explain…
Here’s the thing: with these hotkeys, you can only copy one cell range at a time to the Windows clipboard. So, swapping columns might seem impossible. But fear not! There’s a clever workaround to this limitation.
Step 1: Start by copying the column you want to swap by selecting the entire range and pressing Ctrl + C.
Step 2: Now, select an empty column where you want to swap the original column.
Step 3: Finally, hit Ctrl + V to paste the copied column into the new location.
Voilà! You’ve just swapped two columns using the copy and paste hotkeys! Wasn’t that easy?
Method 2: Using a Blank Spreadsheet
But hang on, there’s another trick up my sleeve! You can also achieve column swapping magic by using a blank spreadsheet. Here’s how:
Step 1: Open a new Excel spreadsheet and enter your column headers in the first row. Let’s say you have ‘Column 1’ in cell A1 and ‘Column 2’ in cell B1.
Step 2: In the following rows, input your data under each column. For example, ‘Jan’ in cell A2, ‘Feb’ in A3, ‘March’ in A4, and ‘April’ in A5. Fill the corresponding values in column B as well.
Step 3: Now, all you have to do is cut the data from one column and paste it into the other. To do this, select the entire column you want to move, right-click, choose “Cut” from the menu, select the column you want to swap with, right-click again, and select “Insert Cut Cells”.
Tada! You’ve successfully swapped the two columns using a blank spreadsheet. How awesome is that?
And that’s a wrap! Swapping columns in Excel might not seem like a walk in the park, but with these nifty tricks, it’s as easy as pie. So go ahead, give them a try and watch your tables transform before your eyes. Happy swapping!
Welcome to your new and improved table! I’m here to show you how to swap columns like a pro. First things first, we have two columns that we want to switch around.
Let’s start by selecting column A. Just click on the header of column A and voila! The entire column will be selected.
Now, it’s time to copy column A. Simply press Ctrl + C to copy it to your clipboard. Easy peasy!
Now, let’s move on to column E. Click on the header of column E to select it.
Once it’s selected, it’s time to paste. Press Ctrl + V to paste column A into column E. Just like magic, now column E has the same contents as column A!
And there you have it! Column E now includes Column A, just like you wanted. Happy swapping!
So here’s what you need to do next: first, pick the B column and hit Ctrl + C. Then select column A and press Ctrl + V. This will copy Column 2 into the A column. Easy peasy, right? And just like that, you’ve got two duplicate columns in the table. How cool is that?
But wait, there’s more! Now you can copy and paste the content from the E column into column B. To do this, simply use the Ctrl + C shortcut to copy column E. Then click on the top of column B and press Ctrl + V to paste Column 1 there. Ta-da! You’ve magically swapped the first and second columns in the table, just like in the snapshot below.
So here’s the deal: Column E is still holding the same information as Column 1. But don’t worry, I’ve got a solution for you. Just follow these steps to delete the duplicate column from your spreadsheet.
- First, right-click on the top of column E.
- In the context menu that appears, select the Delete option.
And just like that, the duplicated column will vanish from your sight! Now your spreadsheet will look exactly like the one below, with Column 1 in B and Column 2 in A.
How to Easily Rearrange Table Columns in Excel
Hey, did you know there’s a simple way to switch the order of your columns in Excel? Forget about copying and pasting – that’s too time-consuming. Instead, let me show you how to use a nifty trick called “Cut.”
First, click on the header of the column you want to move (let’s say it’s column B). Now, hold down the Ctrl key and press X. This will “cut” the column, just like you’re removing it. But don’t worry, we won’t lose it!
Next, right-click on the header of the column where you want to place your cut column (let’s go with column A). A menu will pop up – select the “Insert Cut Cells” option. Voilà! Your columns have been effortlessly swapped, and now the first column is in A, and the second column is in B.
Move Table Columns by Dragging
Hey there! Did you know that you can easily rearrange your spreadsheet tables by dragging and dropping the columns? It’s a super convenient way to switch things up without having to copy and paste. Let me show you how!
First, let’s select the A column on your spreadsheet. Once you’ve got it, simply move your cursor to the edge of the selection box. Keep an eye on your cursor, it should magically transform into a four-sided arrow just like in the picture below.
Hey there! Let me show you a nifty trick to swap table columns in Excel.
First, you’ll need to grab your keyboard and hold down the Shift key. Then, select the column you want to move by clicking on the letter at the top. Once you’ve selected it, give it a gentle tug to the right, just a little bit over column B.
Now, here comes the cool part. As you drag the column, keep an eye out for a small box that says “C:C”. When you see that box appear, it means you’ve dragged your column far enough. At this point, you can release the Shift key and the mouse button.
And voila! The two columns will be swapped around, with Column 1 now in B and vice versa. It’s as simple as that!
Switching Columns Made Easy with Kutools for Excel
If you’re still on the lookout for a handy toolbar tool to switch columns effortlessly, you’ve got to try Kutools for Excel. This incredible add-on elevates your Excel experience by providing you with a range of fantastic tools and options. Among them is the mighty Swap Ranges tool, which allows you to easily switch columns. And the best part? This amazing add-on can be yours for just $39.00, and you can even enjoy a full two-month trial period of Kutools!
Once you’ve installed the add-on, you’ll notice a fresh Kutools tab nestled in your Excel toolbar. To initiate the magic, simply click on the Range button found within the Kutools tab, and from there, select the Swap Ranges option. Voila! A window named Swap Ranges will appear, presenting you with the option to select and swap two ranges of your choosing. To swap columns, just select an entire column as your first range, and another column as your second range. Once you’re satisfied with your selection, hit the OK button, and watch as the columns are seamlessly swapped!
Not only can Excel users rearrange their spreadsheet tables by copying, pasting, cutting, and dragging columns, but they can also take advantage of Kutools for Excel to effortlessly swap columns. Oh, and did I mention? You can also switch table rows just as easily as columns!
