How to insert a column to the left in excel

Answer

Inserting a column to the left means Excel shifts the existing column and its data one position to the right and creates a new blank column directly before the selected column. To insert a column to the left in Excel, follow these steps:

Windows

1. Select the entire column where the new column should appear directly to its left.

2. Right-click the column header letter.

3. Click Insert.

4. Confirm that Excel created a new blank column on the left and shifted the existing data to the right.

MacBook

1. Select the column where the new column should appear on the left.

2. Hold Control and click the column header.

3. Click Insert from the shortcut menu.

4. Check that Excel placed a new blank column to the left of the selected column.

How to insert multiple columns to the left in Excel

To insert multiple columns to the left:

1. Highlight the same number of existing columns as the number of new columns you want.

2. Right-click the highlighted column headers on Windows or Control-click on a MacBook.

3. Click Insert.

4. Confirm that Excel added the chosen number of new columns to the left of the first selected column.

Keyboard shortcut method

Excel supports a fast method:

1. Select the entire target column.

2. Press Ctrl + Shift + Plus (+) on Windows or Cmd + Shift + Plus (+) on a MacBook.

3. Excel inserts a new blank column on the left of the selected column.

Ribbon method

1. Select any cell in the column where the new column should appear on the left.

2. Go to the Home tab.

3. Open the Insert menu in the Cells group.

4. Click Insert Sheet Columns.

5. Verify that Excel placed the new column to the left of the active cell's column.

Common issues

Why does Excel insert the column in the wrong position?

Excel inserts the column based on the selected entire column header. Partial selections inside a column direct Excel to use the active cell's column instead of the intended one.

Why is Insert greyed out?

Insert is disabled when the workbook is protected. Removing protection restores the command.

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