How to Add a Column in Excel

To add a column in Excel, right-click the column letter to the right of where you want the new column (for example, click C to add one between B and C) and choose Insert. Excel shifts the existing columns right and adds an empty one, and formulas that refer to the moved cells update automatically. The keyboard shortcut is Ctrl + Space to select the column, then Ctrl + Shift + = (Ctrl + plus).

Method 1: Right-click the column letter

1. Find where the new column should go.
2. Right-click the letter of the column just to the right of that spot.
3. Click Insert.

The new column takes the formatting of the column to its left. Click the small Insert Options brush that appears to choose Format Same As Right or Clear Formatting instead.

Method 2: Keyboard shortcut

1. Click any cell in the column to the right of the new column’s position.
2. Press Ctrl + Space to select the whole column.
3. Press Ctrl + Shift + =, or Ctrl + + on the number pad.

If you skip selecting the whole column, Excel asks whether to shift cells or insert an entire column. Choose Entire column and click OK.

Method 3: The Home tab

Click a cell in the column, then go to Home > Insert > Insert Sheet Columns.

Add several columns at once

Select as many columns as you want to add. To add three columns before D, drag across the letters D, E and F, then right-click and choose Insert. Excel inserts three blank columns. To insert columns in different places, hold Ctrl while clicking each column letter, then right-click and Insert. Each gets a new column to its left.

Add a column to an Excel table

• At the end: type in the first empty column just right of the table. The table expands to include it.
• Inside the table: right-click a cell and choose Insert > Table Columns to the Left (or Right).
• Calculated column: type a formula in the first row of a new table column and Excel fills it down automatically.

See how to create a table in Excel for more on tables.

Fill the new column

• Type a formula in the first cell and double-click the fill handle to copy it down. See how to use the fill handle.
• Copy an existing column into it: how to duplicate a column in Excel.
• Add totals for the new column: how to do a total in Excel.

Troubleshooting

“Microsoft Excel can’t insert new cells because it would push non-empty cells off the end of the worksheet”

Something in the last column (XFD) isn’t empty, often formatting applied to whole rows. Click the first empty column after your data, press Ctrl + Shift + Right Arrow to select to the end, right-click and choose Delete. Save the file, then try again.

Insert is greyed out

The sheet is protected. Go to Review > Unprotect Sheet, or ask the owner to allow inserting columns when they protect it. Shared or co-authored workbooks may also restrict it.

Merged cells block the insert

If a merged cell spans the spot, Excel may refuse or widen the merge. Unmerge it with Home > Merge & Center, insert the column, then merge again if needed.

Formulas didn’t pick up the new column

A SUM over B2:D2 grows if you insert inside the range, but not if you add a column right after D. Edit the formula, or use a table so ranges expand automatically.

Mac and Excel for the web

Right-click the column letter and choose Insert in both. On a Mac, Control + click works if you don’t have right-click. The Home > Insert menu is the same.

Frequently asked questions

How do I add a column to the right instead?

Excel always inserts to the left of the selection, so select the column one further right. In a table, use Insert > Table Columns to the Right.

How do I delete a column?

Right-click the column letter and choose Delete, or select it and press Ctrl + –.

Summary

• Right-click the column letter to the right of the spot and choose Insert.
• Or press Ctrl + Space, then Ctrl + Shift + =.
• Select several columns first to insert several.
• In a table, type in the next empty column or use Insert > Table Columns.