How To Swap Two Columns ( Rows ) Of Data In Excel

In this article, I will tell you how to swap 2 excel columns data in several ways. It will also tell you how to swap 2 adjacent columns quickly using keyboard. All the methods can be used to swap 2 excel rows.

1. How To Swap Two Columns Of Data In Excel?

  1. Swapping two columns in Excel can be done in several ways depending on the version of MS Excel that you are using.
  2. Below are some methods that you can use.

1.1 Method 1: Using Drag and Drop

  1. Select the column that you want to move.
  2. Position your mouse pointer on the top of the selected column until it becomes a four-headed arrow.
  3. Click and hold the mouse button, and then drag the column to the location where you want to move it.
  4. Release the mouse button when the insertion line is at the desired location.
  5. Repeat this action to move another column to swap the 2 columns of data in excel.

1.2 Method 2: Using Cut and Paste.

  1. Select the column that you want to move.
  2. Right-click on the column header and choose “Cut” from the context menu or press “Ctrl + X” on your keyboard.
  3. Select the column next to the one you want to swap.
  4. Right-click on the column header and choose the menu item “Insert Cut Cells” from the pop up menu list.
  5. Then it will insert the cut column to the location.
  6. Do the same to cut and paste the other column of data to the target column location.

1.3 Method 3: Using Copy and Paste.

  1. Select the column that you want to move.
  2. Right-click on the column header and choose “Copy” from the context menu or press “Ctrl + C” on your keyboard.
  3. Select the column next to the target column.
  4. Right-click on the column header and choose “Insert Copied Cells“.
  5. This will insert the copied column to the next column of the target column.
  6. Right-click the original column that you just copied from and click the Delete menu item in the pop up menu list.
  7. Then it will delete the original column.
  8. Do the same to move the other column to the target column to swap the 2 columns of data.

2. How To Swap Two Adjacent Columns Of Data In Excel Quickly.

  1. If you want to exchange two adjacent columns of data in Excel, you can use the following method quickly.
  2. If you want to swap the two columns A1:A20 and B1:B20, you can first select area A1:A20, and then move the mouse pointer to the right edge of this column.
  3. When the shape of the mouse pointer becomes a four-way arrow, you need to hold down Shift key, then press down the left button of the mouse, and drag it to the right border line of area B1:B20.
  4. Release the left mouse button and then the Shift key, and the two columns are swapped.
  5. Note that you should not release the Shift key first, otherwise the operation becomes moving column A to column C.
  6. You can use the same method to swap two adjacent rows also.

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