Insert a Column in Excel (Ctrl+Shift++ / ⌘⇧+)
Select a whole column with Ctrl+Space (⌃Space on Mac), then press Ctrl+Shift+Plus on Windows or ⌘⇧+ on the Mac. Excel inserts a blank column to the left.
| Action | Mac | Windows | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Select the whole column | ⌃Space | Ctrl+Space | |
| Insert column (or row) | ⌘⇧+ | Ctrl+Shift++ | |
| Select the whole row | ⇧Space | Shift+Space | |
| Delete the selected column | ⌘- | Ctrl+- | |
| Open the Insert dialog | ⌘⇧+ | Ctrl+Shift++ |
Add a column to the left
Press ⌃Space on the Mac or Ctrl+Space on Windows to select the whole column, then press ⌘⇧+ / Ctrl+Shift++. The new blank column appears to the left of the one you selected, shifting the rest right.
Row vs column
The same Insert shortcut adds a row when a full row is selected (⇧Space) and a column when a full column is selected. Remove a column by selecting it and pressing ⌘- / Ctrl+-.
FAQ
What is the insert column shortcut in Excel?
Select the column with Ctrl+Space (⌃Space on Mac), then press Ctrl+Shift+Plus on Windows or ⌘⇧+ on the Mac.
Why does the shortcut insert a row sometimes?
It inserts whatever is fully selected — Shift+Space selects a row, Ctrl+Space selects a column.
How do I delete a column?
Select it with Ctrl+Space and press Ctrl+- on Windows or ⌘- on the Mac.