How to Add a Column in Excel?

How to Add a Column in Excel?

Do you want to learn how to add a column in Excel? If yes, you are at the right platform. Here, in this blog, we will know the best and easy ways to create single and multiple columns in Excel based on different devices. In addition, we will enlighten you about how to add numbers in a column in Excel. Keep on reading!

Ways to Add a Column in Excel

In Microsoft Excel, you can add columns to organize your data. If you want to know how to add up a column in Excel, we will teach you.

Columns in Excel can be added in different ways depending on the device you are using. Here, we will understand the idea of how to add a new column in Excel on Windows, Web, Mac, and iPad manually. So let’s get started!

How to Add a Column in Excel on Windows?

Those who are Windows users can create single and multiple columns in Microsoft Excel. To learn how to add a column in Excel on Windows you can follow these steps.

To add a single column in Excel (Windows), you can do the following:

  • On your Excel sheet, click on any cell where you want to insert the column.
  • Click on “Home” on the top (Ribbon) menu bar.
  • Go to the “Insert” option.
  • Select the “Insert Sheet Columns” option.
Insert - Add Column on excel

Tip: To insert the columns, right-click on the top of the column (where you want to add the column) and select the Insert option from the right-click menu.

To add multiple columns in Excel (Windows), you can do the following:

  • Highlight the number of columns to the right. (Make sure you highlight the same number of the columns you desire to create). For example, to add three blank columns, you need to select the same number (three columns).
  • Then, right-click on the selected columns.
  • Go to the “Insert” option.
  • Select the “Insert Sheet Columns” option.

This is how you can create single and multiple columns in (Windows) Excel.

In case you want to delete the inserted column then you can select the same column and go to Home -> Insert -> Delete Sheet Columns. Alternatively, you can right-click on the top of the column and select the Delete option.

How to Add Up a Column in Excel for Web?

Those who access Microsoft Excel using the web app can also create columns. To learn how to add up a column in Excel for Web, you can do the following:

  • Right-click on the entire column to the right (where you prefer to insert the new column). For instance, you want to add a new column between columns C and D then you should right-click on column D.
  • Then, click on the “Insert Columns” option from the right-click menu.

To add multiple columns (Web), you can follow these steps mentioned below:

  • Pick the same number of columns to the right where you want to insert them. For instance, to add four blank columns, you can select the same number (four columns).
  • Then, right-click on the selected columns.
  • Choose the “Insert Columns” option from the right-click menu.

This will add the new column in the desired location in Excel.

In case you want to delete the inserted columns then you can choose the same column and go to the Home tab. Then, click the arrow located under the Delete option and choose Delete Columns.

How to Add a Column in Excel on Mac?

In case, you use Microsoft Excel on Mac then you can also learn how to add a column in Excel. You can create single and multiple columns as well. To understand better, look for the following steps:

  • Click on the top of the column to the right (where you add a new column).
  • Hold down the “Control” key.
  • Click on the selected columns.
  • Choose the “Insert” option on the pop-up menu.

To add multiple columns (Mac), you can follow these steps discussed below:

  • Select the same number of columns to the right. For instance, to add three blank columns, you can select the same number (three columns).

Remember that no matter if those three columns contain the data, you can select them. Because ultimately, it is going to insert blank columns before those data contained columns..

  • After selecting the columns, hold down the “Control” key.
  • Click on the selected columns.
  • Choose the “Insert” option on the pop-up menu.

This is how you can create single and multiple columns in Excel on Mac computers or laptops.

If you wish to delete the column then you can select that column and click on Edit -> Delete from the toolbar. Alternatively, you can click on the Home (Ribbons) tab and choose Delete -> Delete Columns. 

How to Make a Column Add in Excel for iPad?

Those who access their Excel worksheet on the iPad can also learn how to add a new column in Excel. Below are the following steps that one can follow:

  • On your Excel sheet, tap the bar of the column.
  • Then, tap on the “Insert” option. This will insert the column.
  • To add multiple columns, drag the columns to the right.
  • Then, tap on the “Insert” option.

This will insert the new column in the Excel sheet. Then, you can add your data.

If you changed your mind and want to delete the columns then you just need to select the column or columns and choose the Delete option.

Tip: After deleting the column, if you wish to get it back, simply use Ctrl + Z to undo your actions.

Till now you have learned how to add a column together in Excel. These are the basic steps for adding single and multiple columns in Excel. You can simply go through the aforementioned steps based on the device you use for working on Excel. Then, insert the column in the desired place.

Note: In case you are using Excel 2003 and earlier, then you might not see the Home in the menu bar. Instead, you can select a column, click on Insert, and select the Columns option to insert a new column.

How to Add a Column to a Table in Excel?

There may be instances when you need to add a column to a table available in your Excel sheet. Doing so, you can extend the data table. This will help you to easily analyze the data in formatted columns and rows.

The columns to a table can be added in two different ways; by using the Menu bar and Right-click shortcut. So, let’s learn how to add a column to a table in Excel in both the ways in the following steps:

The Manual Command

  • Open the “Excel” sheet that contains the data table.
  • Click the cell within the table (where you want to add the new column). This will display the “Table Tools” on the command ribbon.
  • Then, go to the “Home” tab on the ribbon.
  • Click on the “Insert” button in the “Cells group”.
  • Click on the “Insert Table Columns to the Left”. This will shift the columns to the right.
  • If you wish to insert the columns to the right then choose “Insert Table Columns to the Right” option.

The Shortcut Option

  • Open the “Excel” sheet that contains the data table.
  • Right-click on the cell where you want to insert the column to a table. This will show a list of shortcut options.
  • Now, point over the “insert” option. This shows two options that you can choose as per your preference:
    • Table Columns to the Left
    • Table Rows Above
  • If the selected column is in the last then you will see “Table Columns to the Right” option.
  • To insert the new columns, you can either choose “Table Columns to the Left” or “Table Columns to the Right”.

These are the two methods by following which you can follow. Whichever method you like, follow that to create a column to a table in Excel.

Ways of Adding Numbers in a Column

As is well known, Microsoft Excel can be used for calculating arithmetic operations. If your worksheet or Excel sheet has data tables and you want to sum it up then Excel will assist you to work smartly.

There are the following three methods for how to add a column of numbers in Excel:

  • Add numbers using formula
  • Add number using SUM function
  • Use Autosum in Excel

Now, we will understand these methods with a manual procedure. Let’s learn how to add a column of numbers in Excel in different ways.

How to Add the Sum of a Column in Excel Using a Formula?

This is the most basic method of adding numbers to your Excel sheet. It does not require any special function. All it is required to add “=” to perform the calculation.

For instance, you can type “=1+1” into A1 cells. This will calculate the numbers within the same cell. Similarly, you can add more numbers by adding “=” at the beginning of the numbers to calculate the sum in Excel.

How to Add a Whole Column in Excel using SUM Function?

If there are more cells that contain the value, the first basic formula might not be efficient on this.

To make it work efficiently, you can use the SUM function to perform the right calculation. In this method, you are required to use “=SUM” in the beginning. Then, you can add numbers. So when you calculate the value, the whole formula should look like this: ‘=SUM(number1, [number2], …)’

How to Add a Number in Excel Column with AutoSum?

This method can be the smart solution to your Excel calculation operation. AutoSum uses the SUM function and applies to the column automatically.

This AutoSum method can be performed on multiple devices such as Windows, macOS, Web, Android, and iOS devices.

Based on your type of devices, you can look for the following steps to use the AutoSum function in your Excel sheet. Let’s know how to add numbers in a column in Excel using AutoSum.

Use AutoSum on Windows, Mac, and Web

The steps for using AutoSum are similar to Windows, Mac, and Web. If you want to know how to add all values in a column in Excel use these steps instructed below.

  • Click on the cell located next to the number you wish to sum in Excel.
  • Now, click on the “Home” tab.
  • Choose the “AutoSum” option.
  • Alternatively, you can go to “Formulas” and choose the “AutoSum” option.
  • Hit the “Enter” key.

That’s’ all!

Once you apply for the AutoSum, Excel will do the math for you. This automatic formula works in a smart way. Because when you click on the AutoSum, Excel enters the formula (using the SUM function) to sum the numbers.

Use AutoSum on Android Phone or Tablet

Those who access Microsoft Excel sheets on Android phones or tablets can also use the AutoSum method. To calculate the value, you can follow these steps discussed below: 

  • Tap on the first cell located next to the cell that has numbers.
  • Alternatively, you can tap and drag the range of cells you prefer to calculate.
  • Tap on “AutoSum”.
  • Tap “Sum”.
  • Tap the “Check mark”.

This will calculate the range of numbers in seconds.

Use AutoSum on iPad

For the iPad users, we also have solutions for using AutoSum right on your iPad. Look for the following steps to understand better:

  • To sum the column of numbers, tap the cell below the last number in a column.
  • Then, tap on “Formulas” in the menu bar.
  • Choose the “AutoSum” option.
  • Tap the “Sum” option and then return.

Use AutoSum on iPhone

iPhone users can use the AutoSum feature smoothly. All you are required to follow these steps mentioned below:

  • To sum the column of numbers, tap the cell below the last number in a column.
  • Tap the “Ribbon” icon.
  • Then, choose the “Formulas” option.
  • Tap “AutoSum” option.
  • Choose “Sum”.
  • Then, tap the chekmark.

This will calculate the range of numbers in seconds on the iPhone.

So this is how you can calculate the data following different methods on different devices. If you are thinking which method is the best to calculate, then we recommend you to go with AutoSum. This method not only saves your time but makes you productive and smart on the professional front.

Final Verdict

Creating a column and adding numbers in Excel is pretty easy. All you are required to select the right column and navigate through the menu toolbar to insert columns. In this blog, we have discussed the best ways to add single and multiple columns in Excel based on the devices. In addition, we learned how we can sum in Excel in different ways.

Hope you find this guide helpful!

If you want more such guides on Excel, read the following.