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Written by Jacky Chou

The Best Keyboard Shortcuts For Inserting Columns In Excel

Key Takeaway:

  • Mastering basic keyboard shortcuts in Excel can save you a lot of time, including shortcuts for copying cells, pasting values, and selecting cells quickly.
  • Inserting columns using keyboard shortcuts can be done with just a few keystrokes. Some useful shortcuts include inserting a basic column, inserting multiple columns, or inserting a column to the left of the current column.
  • Advanced keyboard shortcuts in Excel, such as inserting rows and columns using the context menu key, using the fill handle to insert a series of columns, or inserting non-contiguous columns using the control key, can help you work more efficiently and effectively in Excel.

Are you stuck wasting time inserting columns in Excel? You don’t have to anymore. Discover the best keyboard shortcuts to get the job done quickly and easily.

Basic Keyboard Shortcuts in Excel

Keyboard Shortcuts That Can Help You Work Efficiently in Excel

Excel is a powerful software that helps in organizing, analyzing, and presenting data. To work efficiently in Excel, it is important to know and use keyboard shortcuts. Keyboard shortcuts help in performing tasks quickly and with minimal effort. Here are some basic keyboard shortcuts that can help you work efficiently in Excel:

  • Use This Keyboard Shortcut to Insert a Column in Excel
  • Select an entire column by pressing Ctrl + Spacebar.
  • Insert a new column by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Plus Sign.
  • Delete a column by pressing Ctrl + Minus Sign.
  • Cut a column by pressing Ctrl + X.
  • Paste a column by pressing Ctrl + V.

In addition to these basic keyboard shortcuts, there are many more that can help you work more efficiently. For example, you can use Ctrl + Z to undo your last action, Ctrl + Y to redo your last action, and Ctrl + Home to move to the beginning of your worksheet. Using keyboard shortcuts can save you time and effort, and make working in Excel quicker and easier.

Pro Tip: Using keyboard shortcuts can be challenging at first, but with practice, they can become second nature. Take some time to learn and practice these shortcuts, and you’ll find that you can work more efficiently in Excel.

Basic Keyboard Shortcuts in Excel-The Best Keyboard Shortcuts for Inserting Columns in Excel,

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Inserting Columns using Keyboard Shortcuts

If you are an avid Excel user, then you must know how time-consuming it can be to insert a column manually. In such a scenario, using keyboard shortcuts can be a lifesaver. Here’s how you can insert columns using keyboard shortcuts:

  1. Select the column to the right of where you want the new column to appear.
  2. To insert a single new column, press ‘Ctrl’ and ‘+’. To insert multiple columns, press ‘Ctrl’ and ‘+’, and then press ‘Ctrl’ and ‘+’, again for each new column you want to insert.
  3. Enter new column data accordingly.
  4. Press ‘Enter’ to confirm.

Using this keyboard shortcut to insert a column in Excel can save you a lot of time and energy, especially when working on large and complex spreadsheets. Make sure to try this shortcut the next time you need to add a column to your Excel sheet.

Did you know that keyboard shortcuts were first introduced by IBM in 1981? The original intention was to boost productivity and make tasks more efficient for computer users. And they have certainly achieved that goal as Excel users can attest.

Inserting Columns using Keyboard Shortcuts-The Best Keyboard Shortcuts for Inserting Columns in Excel,

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Advanced Keyboard Shortcuts in Excel

Advanced Techniques to Use with Excel Keyboard Shortcuts

For professionals working with Excel, speed and efficiency are crucial. Keyboard shortcuts can help you complete tasks quickly and accurately. Here are some advanced keyboard shortcuts in Excel.

  • Use This Keyboard Shortcut to Insert a Column in Excel: Ctrl+Shift++
  • Use This Keyboard Shortcut to Insert Multiple Columns: Ctrl+Shift+Plus Sign
  • Use This Keyboard Shortcut to Delete a Column in Excel: Ctrl+-
  • Use This Keyboard Shortcut to Delete Multiple Columns: Ctrl+Shift+-
  • Use This Keyboard Shortcut to Select the Entire Column: Ctrl+Spacebar

To further improve your productivity while working in Excel, you can customize your keyboard shortcuts up to your liking. This will save you time from navigating to the ribbon and selecting the commands manually.

It is worth noting that mastering Excel keyboard shortcuts takes practice and dedication. Take time to learn and memorize them, and soon, you will be amazed at how much time you will save using them.

Using these keyboard shortcuts is a tested technique that professionals have used to increase their productivity. Try it and see the difference for yourself in your day to day work with Excel.

Advanced Keyboard Shortcuts in Excel-The Best Keyboard Shortcuts for Inserting Columns in Excel,

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Five Facts About The Best Keyboard Shortcuts for Inserting Columns in Excel:

  • ✅ The keyboard shortcut for inserting a new column in Excel is “Ctrl” + “Shift” + “+”.
  • ✅ To insert multiple columns, select the number of columns you want to insert, and then use the “Ctrl” + “Shift” + “+” shortcut.
  • ✅ You can also insert columns using the right-click menu, by selecting the column to the right of where you want the new column to be inserted and choosing “Insert” from the drop-down menu.
  • ✅ Another way to insert columns is through the “Insert” tab in the ribbon, where you can choose to insert new columns to the left or right of the selected column.
  • ✅ The best way to quickly insert columns in Excel is by using keyboard shortcuts, which can save you time and increase your productivity.

FAQs about The Best Keyboard Shortcuts For Inserting Columns In Excel

What are the best keyboard shortcuts for inserting columns in Excel?

The best keyboard shortcuts for inserting columns in Excel are CTRL + SHIFT + “+” (plus sign) and ALT + “I” + “C”.

Can I customize my own keyboard shortcuts for inserting columns in Excel?

Yes, you can customize your own keyboard shortcuts for inserting columns in Excel using the “Customize Keyboard” option in the “Excel Options” menu.

Why should I use keyboard shortcuts instead of the mouse to insert columns in Excel?

Using keyboard shortcuts to insert columns in Excel can save you time and increase your productivity since you don’t have to move your hand from the keyboard to the mouse.

Can I insert multiple columns at once using keyboard shortcuts in Excel?

Yes, you can insert multiple columns at once using keyboard shortcuts in Excel by selecting the number of columns you want to insert before using the keyboard shortcut.

Are there any differences in the keyboard shortcuts for inserting columns in Excel on a Mac vs. a PC?

Yes, the keyboard shortcuts for inserting columns in Excel are different on a Mac vs. a PC. On a Mac, the keyboard shortcuts are CMD + SHIFT + “+” (plus sign) and CTRL + “I” + “C”.

Is there a way to undo an accidental insertion of columns using keyboard shortcuts in Excel?

Yes, you can undo an accidental insertion of columns using keyboard shortcuts in Excel by pressing CTRL + “Z”.

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