Insert Multiple Columns Quickly in an Excel Worksheet
by Avantix Learning Team | Updated September 15, 2023
Applies to: Microsoft® Excel® 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021 and 365 (Windows)
You can quickly insert multiple columns in Excel using a drop-down menu, keyboard shortcuts or the Home tab in the Ribbon. The key to inserting multiple columns at once, rather than one by one, is to select the number of columns you want to insert first and then insert columns. Excel will insert the same number of columns you selected.
Recommended article: How to Lock and Protect Excel Worksheets and Workbooks
In this article, we'll review 4 ways to insert multiple columns:
- Insert multiple columns by right-clicking
- Insert multiple columns using a keyboard shortcut
- Insert multiple columns using the Ribbon
- Insert multiple columns using the Repeat shortcut
It's important to be able to quickly select columns in Excel so you can insert multiple columns.
To select one or more columns in Excel:
- To select column row, click its heading or select a cell in the row and press Ctrl + Spacebar.
- If an entire column is selected, you can keep pressing Shift + right or left arrow to select more columns.
- To select multiple contiguous columns, drag over the column headings using a mouse or select the first column heading and then Shift-click the last column heading.
In order to easily insert multiple columns, be sure to select entire columns first.
1. Insert multiple columns by right-clicking
To insert multiple columns in Excel by right-clicking and using the drop-down menu:
- Select multiple columns on the worksheet by dragging over the column headings or click the first column heading and Shift-click the last column heading.
- Right-click one of the selected columns and select Insert from the drop-down menu. Excel will insert the same number of columns you selected.
Below is the context menu that appears when you right-click a selected column or columns:
You can also access the context menu by press Shift + F10 or by pressing the Context key on the bottom of your keyboard (if you have it).
2. Insert multiple columns using a keyboard shortcut
To insert multiple columns in Excel using a keyboard shortcut:
- Select multiple columns on the worksheet by dragging over the column headings or click the first column heading and Shift-click the last column heading.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + equal sign (this is the same key as +) at the top of the keyboard. Excel will insert the same number of rows you selected.
3. Insert multiple columns using the Ribbon
To insert multiple columns in Excel using the Ribbon:
- Select multiple columns on the worksheet by dragging over the row headings or click the first column heading and Shift-click the last column heading.
- Click the Home tab in the Ribbon.
- Click Insert in the Cells group. A drop-down menu appears.
- Select Insert Sheet Columns. Excel will insert the same number of columns you selected.
The Insert command appears on the Home tab in the Ribbon:
4. Insert multiple columns using the Repeat shortcut
If you insert a column or columns and then you want to repeat or redo the last action, press Ctrl + Y. For example, you would insert one or more columns and then press Ctrl + Y.
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More resources
How to Lock Cells in Excel (3 Ways)
How to Merge Cells in Excel (with Shortcuts)
How to Remove Duplicates in Excel (3 Easy Ways)
How to Use Flash Fill in Excel (4 Ways with Shortcuts)
How to Insert Multiple Rows in Excel (4 Fast Ways with Shortcuts)
Related courses
Microsoft Excel: Intermediate / Advanced
Microsoft Excel: Data Analysis with Functions, Dashboards and What-If Analysis Tools
Microsoft Excel: Introduction to Visual Basic for Applications (VBA)
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