How to switch two columns in Excel

You can watch a video tutorial here.

When working with data in Excel, you may need to switch the position of two columns. This could be to arrange the data in a particular order or to group relevant columns. 

Option 1 – Drag and drop the columns

Step 1 – Select one of the columns

• Select one of the columns by clicking on the column header

Step 2 – Drag the column to the left of the column with which it is being switched

• Move the pointer over the border of the column till it changes to a move pointer 
• Left-click and press the Shift key
• Drag the column to the left of the column with which it is being switched 
• The new position of the column will be indicated by a green line
• Release the mouse button and the Shift key

Note: If you do not hold the Shift key while moving the column, it will overwrite the destination column instead of moving it to the right

Option 2 – Cut and paste the column

Step 1 – Cut one of the columns

• Select one of the columns by clicking on the column header 
• Press Ctrl+X or right-click and select Cut from the context menu

Step 2 – Paste the column to the left of the column with which it is being switched

• Select the column with which the cut column is being switched
• Right-click and select Insert cut cells  from the context menu