How to Add Columns in Excel: insert one, several, or between every column

New columns go in to the left of the one you select. Everything shifts right; formulas adjust themselves.

Insert one column

1. Click the letter of the column that should end up to the right of the new one — to add between A and B, click B.
2. Right-click › Insert. Or press Ctrl + Shift + +.

Insert several at once

Select as many columns as you want to add — click B, Shift + click D for three — then Insert. Three blank columns appear before B.

Add a column at the end of a table

Just type a heading in the next empty column. If your data is an Excel Table, the table grows to include it, with formatting.

Insert a column between every existing column

1. In a spare row above the data, type 1, 2, 3… across, then 1.5, 2.5, 3.5… in the cells beside.
2. Select that row and the data, sort left-to-right by the row (Data › Sort › Options › Sort left to right).

Rarely needed — most people want a Table instead.

Check it worked

A formula that used to say =B2*C2 now says =C2*D2 if you inserted before B. Excel keeps it pointing at the same data.

Common mistakes

Wrong place. Ctrl + Z, click the right letter, try again.

“Cannot insert — non-empty cells would be pushed off the sheet.” Something sits in the very last column (XFD). Press Ctrl + End to find it, delete it.

Merged cells across the row stop inserts. Unmerge first.