How to Insert a Column in Excel?

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Insert a column

Inserting a column in Excel is a very simple task. Let us see how we can insert a column in Excel in two ways.

Also read: How to unhide and hide columns in Excel?

Steps to insert a column in Excel

First, let us take an example of a table with 3 columns and then add an extra column anywhere in the middle of the existing columns.

Table with 3 Columns
Table with 3 Columns

To insert a column in Excel-

Right-click Insert Options
Right-click Insert Options
  • Click on a cell of the column before which you want to insert a column.
  • Right-click on the cell.
  • Click Insert.
  • A new window opens named Insert.
  • Select Entire Column.
  • Hit OK to insert a column.
Inserted Column
Inserted Column

You can see that a new column has been added before the column you selected to insert a new column in the database.

Another way you can insert a column in Excel can be as follows-

Insert Sheet Columns Option
Insert Sheet Columns Option
  • Click on a cell of the column before which you want to insert a column.
  • Go to the Home tab.
  • Under Cells group, pull down on Insert.
  • Select Insert Sheet Columns.
Inserted New Column
Inserted New Column

You can see that a new column has been added to the database.

Steps to delete a column in Excel

To delete a column in Excel, follow these steps.

Deleting column by right-clicking
Deleting column by right-clicking
  • Right-click the column you want to delete.
  • Press Delete.
  • The Delete options open up.
  • Choose Shift Cells to left to delete the selected columns of the table only.
  • Choose Entire Column to delete the column of the entire sheet.

Another way you can delete a column in Excel is as follows.

Deleting a Column through Format Button
Deleting a Column through Format Button
  • Select the column you want to delete.
  • Go to the Home tab.
  • Under the Cells group, pull down on Delete.
  • Press Delete Sheet Column.

You can find that the selected columns have been deleted permanently. But, you can always press CTRL+Z on your keyboard to recover all deleted columns.

Conclusion

This was all about inserting a column in Excel in two ways. Feel free to drop a comment if you have any doubts regarding inserting columns in Excel!