Quick Tools for Microsoft Excel

How to manage columns

If you work with tables that have numerous columns, you may want to easily change their order without copying and pasting one column at a time. The Column Manager tool allows you to open a list of columns to easily navigate, auto fit and move them by drag-and-dropping:

1. Select the table where you need to manage columns.

   Tip	Tip: You can choose one cell in your spreadsheet so when you open the tool it will automatically pick all the columns in the table.

2. Click on the Column Manager icon to run the tool. You will see a window with the list of columns from the selected table. Here you will find column names (the headers), column letters and their range addresses.
   • Navigate to a particular column
   • Change the column order
   • Auto fit the selected columns
3. If you need to navigate to a particular column in your table, click on the necessary column in the list on the Column Manager window and close the window to leave the column selected in your Excel table.
4. The easiest way to change the column order in your table is drag-n-dropping column(s) to the needed position on the Column Manager window.

   Tip	Tip: You can press the Ctrl or Shift button on your keyboard and select several columns to move them all at the same time.

   Another way of moving the columns is using the icons at the top of the Column Manager window. Simply select the column(s) you want to move in the list and perform the necessary action:
   • To move the column(s) to the left in your spreadsheet, click the Move Up icon on the Column Manager window.
     
     You can also right-click on the column you want to move and select the Move Up option from the menu.
     
     You will get the same result by using the Ctrl + Up arrow keyboard shortcut.
   • If you need to move the column(s) to the right in your Excel table, click the Move Down icon on the window.
     
     You can also right-click on the column(s) you want to move and select the Move Down option from the menu.
     
     One more possibility to do the same is to press the Ctrl + Down arrow keyboard shortcut.
   • To move the necessary column(s) to the far left of your table, select the Move to Top icon on the window.
     
     You can also right-click on the necessary column(s) and select Move to Top from the list.
     
     Pressing Ctrl + Home will give the same result.
   • If you need to move the column(s) to the far right of your table, select the Move to Bottom icon on the window.
     
     Or right-click on the column and select the Move to Bottom option from the menu.
     
     It is also possible to get the same result by pressing Ctrl + End on your keyboard.
5. You canAutoFit a column so that it automatically fits its longest entry:
   • Select the necessary column(s) in the list on the Column Manager window.

     Tip	Tip: You can press the Ctrl or Shift button on your keyboard and select several columns to Auto Fit them all at the same time.

   • Click on the Auto Fit icon on the Column Manager window. You can also right click on the column(s) you need to auto fit and select the Auto Fit option from the menu list. One more possibility is to use the Ctrl + Right arrow keyboard shortcut.