How to insert and delete columns in Excel

In this lesson, we'll look at how to insert and delete columns in Excel. You may want to insert columns to make room for new information. You may want to delete columns to remove information you no longer need or want.

No matter how many columns you add or delete, the number of columns in the worksheet never changes.  When you insert columns, columns are pushed off the worksheet at the far right edge.  When you delete columns, new columns are added to the far right edge.

Let's take a look.

To insert a column in Excel, first select the column to the right of where you want the new column to be. Excel will always insert columns to the left of your selection.

Then, click the Insert button on the ribbon.

You can also right-mouse click and choose Insert from the menu, which is usually faster.

If you'd like to insert multiple columns, just select more than one column before you insert. Excel will insert as many columns as you have selected.

To delete a column in Excel, first select the column you'd like to delete.

You can then delete the column using the ribbon or by right-clicking. To use the ribbon, click the Delete button.

To use your mouse, right-click and choose Delete from the menu.

You can delete multiple columns in the same way.