The fastest way to insert columns

To add two columns in Excel, right-click on the column header where you want the new columns to appear, then select Insert from the menu. Excel will insert one column. Repeat the process a second time to add the second column. Both new columns will push your existing data to the right.

If you need the columns in a specific location, click on the column letter (A, B, C, and so on) to select the entire column first. Right-click and choose Insert. The new column appears to the left of the column you selected. Do this twice to create two blank columns side by side.

You can also select two columns at once and insert them together. Click on a column header, hold Shift, and click on another column header to select both. Right-click and choose Insert. Excel will add two new columns in one action, which is faster than inserting one at a time.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click any column header and select Insert to add a single column; repeat to add a second one.
  • New columns always appear to the left of the column you selected, pushing existing data to the right.
  • Select two column headers at once by holding Shift and clicking to insert both columns in a single action.
  • You can undo any insertion by pressing Ctrl+Z if you insert columns in the wrong location.
  • Column width adjusts automatically to match your existing columns, but you can drag the border between column headers to make them wider or narrower.

Selecting the right location for your columns

Think about where your new data will live before you insert. If you are adding a column for notes next to a customer name, insert it right after the name column. If you are adding a calculation column, place it near the columns it will reference.

Click on the column header letter of the column that is currently to the right of where you want your new columns. For example, if you want to insert columns between B and C, click on column C. Then right-click and insert. The new columns appear between B and C, and your old C column moves to the right.

Excel does not let you insert columns in the middle of a merged cell. If you have merged cells in your spreadsheet, you may need to unmerge them first, insert your columns, then merge again if needed.

Using the menu instead of right-clicking

If right-clicking does not work on your device or you prefer using the menu, open the Sheet menu at the top of the screen. Click Insert 1 Right or Insert 1 Left depending on which side of your selected column you want the new column to appear. Repeat this twice to add two columns.

On a Mac, the menu is in the same location. Select your column first, then go to Sheet and choose the insert option. The keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Plus (Windows) or Cmd+Plus (Mac) also opens the insert dialog, though you will still need to confirm which direction to insert.

What happens to your data when you insert columns

Any data in the columns to the right of your insertion point shifts right automatically. Formulas that reference those columns update themselves. If you had a formula in column D that added up column C, and you insert a new column between C and D, the formula moves to column E and still adds up column C correctly.

Data in columns to the left of your insertion point does not move. If you insert two columns between A and B, column A stays in place and column B becomes column D.

If you insert columns by accident, press Ctrl+Z when ready to undo. Excel remembers your last action and will remove the columns and restore your original layout.

Adjusting column width after insertion

New columns start with the same width as your other columns. If that width does not match your needs, position your cursor on the border between two column headers until it becomes a resize arrow (a double-headed line). Click and drag left or right to make the column narrower or wider.

Double-click that same border to auto-fit the column width to whatever content you put in it. This is useful if you paste data into a new column and want Excel to size it automatically.

If you want all your columns to be the same width, select all columns by clicking the box in the top-left corner where the row numbers and column letters meet. Then double-click any column border to auto-fit all columns at once.

Inserting columns in a protected spreadsheet

If the spreadsheet is protected, you may not be able to insert columns. You will see a message saying the sheet is protected when you try to right-click and insert. The person who protected the sheet can unprotect it by going to Tools > Protect Sheet and entering the password if one was set.

Some protected sheets allow certain actions but not others. You might be able to edit cells but not insert columns. Ask whoever manages the spreadsheet to unprotect it temporarily, or ask them to insert the columns for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I insert columns at the end of my spreadsheet instead of in the middle?

Yes. Click on the first empty column header to the right of your data, then right-click and insert. The new columns appear there. You can also just start typing in an empty column without inserting anything — Excel will use it automatically.

What is the difference between inserting columns and just typing in empty columns?

Inserting columns shifts your existing data and keeps everything organized. Typing in empty columns is faster if you have space available. Use inserting when you need to add columns in the middle of your data; use empty columns when you are adding to the end.

Do formulas break when I insert columns?

No. Formulas update automatically to reference the new column positions. If a formula referred to column C and you insert a column before it, the formula now refers to column D and still works correctly.

How do I insert columns on a mobile device or tablet?

On the Excel mobile app, tap and hold a column header until a menu appears, then select Insert. The process is the same as on a computer, though the menu appears as a popup instead of a right-click menu.

Can I insert more than two columns at once?

Yes. Select as many column headers as you want by clicking the first one, holding Shift, and clicking the last one. Right-click and insert. Excel will add that many new columns in a single action.