3 Ways to Move Columns in Excel Without Overwriting

Sometimes when dealing with a dataset we need to reorganize the dataset by altering the placements of the column to make the data simpler to read. Here in this article, we are going to show you three methods to move columns in excel without overwriting.

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Learn to Move Columns in Excel Without Overwriting with These 3 Suitable Approaches

As we said we are going to show you three different methods to move columns in excel without overwriting. Here we will use the following dataset given below.

In the first method, we are going to use the combination of the SHIFT key and Drag using the left key of the mouse. This method is easier when the dataset is small but gets tougher in big datasets.

⬇️⬇️ STEPS ⬇️⬇️

• First, go to the SHIFT+Drag worksheet.

• Then select the column we want to move and put the cursor at the edge of the column like the given image below.

• Afterward, press and hold the SHIFT key, and by pressing the left key of the mouse drag the Obtained Marks column to the left border of the Student Name column. At a time you will see a green vertical line on the left border of the Student Name column. Then release the left key of the mouse after that release the SHIFT key.
• Then you will obtain the following result.

Now we can see that we have altered the positions of obtained marks and the Student Names column in this dataset.

Now we will move the columns of the same dataset by applying Insert Cut Cells from the Context Menu. For this we are going to follow the steps given below.

⬇️⬇️ STEPS ⬇️⬇️

• First, go to the Insert Cut worksheet.

• Select the column you want to move and Press Ctrl+X.

• Now select the name of the column where we want to move the column. Here we will select cell C5 because we want to move our Obtained Marks column here.

• After selecting cell C5, right-click on the mouse and we will get the following window. Then click Insert Cut Cells.

• And after that, we will get our desired result.

Here we will use the Sort command in excel to move columns.

⬇️⬇️ STEPS ⬇️⬇️

• First, go to the Sort worksheet.

• For this at first, we will give a sequence number just above the column names.
• Here we used 1,2,3.

• From the excel ribbon, we will select Data then we will select Sort.

• Then we will get the following window. In Sort by we will select Row 4 as we provided the sequence number in Row 4 and then we will click Options.

• The we will get the following window. Here we will choose Sort left to right and click OK.

• After that, we will get the previous window back and will click OK.

• Now we will obtain the following result.

Here we can see that the columns reorganized following the sequence number. The column which has the sequence number 2 is now in the middle.

How to Move Cells Without Changing Formula in Excel

Normally the formulas are associated with the cells. So if we move a cell or column it affects the formula and we may get error results. But here in this process, we will be able to move cells without changing the formula. For this, we will use another dataset here.

Here in this dataset, we have Student IDs and their marks in different subjects and finally, we summed up their marks in the Total Marks column using the following formula.

Now we will move the cells down in the F column.

⬇️⬇️ STEPS ⬇️⬇️

• Firstly, go to the Shift Cells worksheet.

• Then select column F6.

• The right click the mouse and we will get the following window. From the options click Insert.

• After clicking insert we will get another window. Here select Shift cells down.

• Click OK and we will get the result.

Here we can see that the cells in the total marks column moved down without any change in the summation. By this way, we can move cells without changing the formula.

📝  Takeaways from This Article

📌  In this article we learned how to move columns in excel.

📌  The first method is very simple but only suitable for small datasets.

📌  For Larger datasets we might follow method 2 or Method 3.

📌  While doing these we have learned the use of many options of excel. For example Sort Command, Insert Cut Cells, etc.

Conclusion

In this post, we tried to show every method for moving columns in Excel without overwriting. So that you may choose the appropriate approach for you. Please post any queries in the comments section below. Finally, we recommend visiting Excelden to learn more about Excel.