Move Columns In Google Sheets

What Is Move Columns In Google Sheets?

Move columns in Google sheets, as the name suggests, is a method to change the place of column or columns in Google sheets. In other words, we can move or swap columns in Google sheets to organize data and rearrange them in the spreadsheet.

In some scenarios, we may have to rearrange data to compare and find desirable results. Instead of creating the whole data from the beginning, we can easily move columns. For example, consider the below table showing name, education and age in columns A, B, and C, respectively.

Now, let us learn how to move the column in Google sheets such that education column is in column C and age column is in column B. To begin with, simply hover on column B and drag when we are able to see the hand icon. Next, release the mouse pointer. We will be able to see the column moved from column B to column C.

In this article, let us learn how to move columns with detailed examples.

How To Move Columns In Google Sheets?

We can move columns with three methods.

They are:

• Move Columns Using Move Options In Menu In Google Sheets
• Move Columns Using Drag-and-drop To Move Columns In Google Sheets
• Move Columns Using Cut, Insert, Paste And Delete To Move Columns In Google Sheets

Now, let us learn how to use each of the method with the following steps.

Method 1: Move Columns Using Move Options In Menu.

The steps are:

1: To begin with, we need to insert the data in the spreadsheet.

2: Next, simply select the column we want to move.

3: Then, we need to click on the Edit option in the Menu bar.

4: We will be able to see the Move option. Under the Move option, we will be able to see two options, Column left and Column right.

Step 5: We need to click on Column left to move the column in the left direction and Column right to move the column in the right direction.

We will be able to see the column moved from the original column position to the new column.

Likewise, we can move columns in Google sheets with simple steps.

Method 2: Move Columns Using Drag-and-drop To Move Columns In Google Sheets

The steps are:

Step 1: To begin with, we need to insert the data in the spreadsheet.

Step 2: Next, simply hover on the column we want to move. Then, we will be able to see the hand icon in place of the cursor.

Step 3: Now, drag the column where we want to position the column.

Step 4: Next, release the mouse pointer.

We will be able to see the column moved from the original column position to the new column.

Likewise, we can move columns with simple steps.

Method 3: Move Columns Using Cut, Insert, Paste And Delete To Move Columns In Google Sheets

The steps are:

Step 1: To begin with, we need to insert the data in the spreadsheet.

Step 2: Next, simply click on the column we want to move. Then, we need to right-click and click on the Cut option. Alternatively, we can also press Ctrl + X to cut the column.

Step 3: Now, we will be able to see the column empty. Now, click on the column where we want to move.

Step 4: Then, right-click on the column and click on Insert column. Next, we need to right-click again and click on the paste option. Alternatively, we can also press the keyboard shortcut keys Ctrl + V to paste the data in the new column.

Step 5: Now, again click on the empty column and press the Delete key to delete the empty column in the data. Alternatively, we can also right-click on the empty column and select the Delete column option to delete the empty column.

We will be able to see the column moved from the original column position to the new column.

Likewise, we can move columns with simple steps.

Examples

Now, in this article, let us learn each of the method to move columns with detailed examples.

Example #1 – Move Columns Using Move Options In Menu In Google Sheets

For example, consider the below table showing exam 1, subject, and exam 2 in columns A, B, and C, respectively.

Now, let us learn how to move the column in Google sheets such that subject column is in column A and exam 1 column is in column B.

The steps are:

1: To begin with, we need to insert the data in the spreadsheet. In this example, the data is available in the spreadsheet A1:C4.

2: Next, simply select the column we want to move.

3: Then, we need to click on the Edit option in the Menu bar.

4: We will be able to see the Move option. Under the Move option, we will be able to see Column right.

Step 5: We need to click on Column right to move the column in the right direction.

We will be able to see the column moved from the original column position to the new column, as shown in the below image.

Likewise, we can move columns in Google sheets with simple steps.

Example #2 – Move Columns Using Drag-and-drop To Move Columns In Google Sheets

For example, consider the below table showing item, code and availability in columns A, B, and C, respectively.

Now, let us learn how to move the column in Google sheets such that code column is in column A and item column is in column B.

The steps are:

Step 1: To begin with, we need to insert the data in the spreadsheet. In this example, the data is available in the cell range A1:C4.

Step 2: Next, simply hover on the column we want to move. Then, we will be able to see the hand icon in place of the cursor.

Step 3: Now, drag the column where we want to position the column.

Step 4: Next, release the mouse pointer.

We will be able to see the column moved from the original column position to the new column, as shown in the below image.

Likewise, we can move columns with simple steps.

Example #3 – Move Columns Using Cut, Insert, Paste And Delete To Move Columns In Google Sheets

For example, consider the below table showing quantity, price and product in columns A, B, and C, respectively.

Now, let us learn how to move the column such that Product column is in column A and quantity and price columns are in columns B and C, respectively.

The steps are:

Step 1: To begin with, we need to insert the data in the spreadsheet. In this example, the data is available in the cell range A1:C4.

Step 2: Next, simply click on the column we want to move.

Then, we need to right-click and click on the Cut option. Alternatively, we can also press Ctrl + X to cut the column.

Step 3: Now, click on the column where we want to move. In this example, we need to click on Column A.

Step 4: Then, right-click on the column and insert a column.

Then, click on Paste option. Alternatively, we can also press the keyboard shortcut keys Ctrl + V to paste the data in the new column.

We will be able to see the column moved from the original column position to the new column.

Likewise, we can move columns with simple steps.

Important Things To Note

• Move columns in Google sheets is used to reorganize data in the spreadsheet.
• We can simply use the Drag and Drop option to move the column.
• Alternatively, we can also use the cut and paste method to move columns in Google sheets to a new position.

Frequently Asked Questions

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