When you enter data into a spreadsheet, you may need to make room for more. You might want to insert one or more columns to include additional data. We’ll show you how to add columns inGoogle Sheets, including how to insert a single column to the left or right and how to add multiple columns to your sheet.
Difficulty
What You Need
Web browser
Google account
Add a single column in Google Sheets
Visit Google Sheets, sign in with your Google account, and open the workbook to the sheet you want to use.
Step 1:Choose a column adjacent to the one you want to add. You can do this by selecting the column header.
As an example, we want to insert a column between columns C and D, so we choose columnC.
Step 2:Select theArrowon the right side of the column header to display the drop-down menu.
Step 3:PickInsert 1 column leftorInsert 1 column right, depending on where you want the column. Using our example, we pickInsert 1 column right.
Step 4:You’ll then see a blank column inserted into the spot you selected.
Alternatively, you may selectInsertfrom the menu or right-click the adjacent column. Then, chooseInsert 1 column leftorInsert 1 column right.
Add multiple columns in Google Sheets
You certainly don’t have to add just one column at a time if you need to insert more. You can add multiple columns at once just as easily.
Step 1:Select the number of columns you want to insert. you may do this by selecting the first column and dragging through the remaining ones.
For example, we want to add three columns between columns C and D, so we select columnsA,B, andC.
Step 2:Select theArrowon the right side of one of the column headers in the group to display the drop-down menu.
Step 3:PickInsert 3 columns leftorInsert 3 columns right, depending on where you want the columns. Google Sheets automatically enters the number of columns you have selected in the drop-down menu.
Using our example, we pickInsert 3 columns right.
Step 4:You’ll then see blank columns added per the number of columns you selected.
Alternatively, you can selectInsertfrom the menu or right-click the group of columns. Then, chooseInsert 3 columns leftorInsert 3 columns right.
Now that you know how to add columns, take a look athow to lock cells in Google Sheets. You should also knowhow to merge cellsin your spreadsheet.
