How to Insert Multiple Columns in Google Sheets

Mastering Google Sheets is more than just knowing how to enter data – it's about making your spreadsheets work for you! Whether you’re managing a project, analyzing data, or collaborating with a team, knowing how to efficiently insert multiple columns in Google Sheets can save you time and keep your data organized.

In this article, you’ll learn the quickest and easiest ways to add multiple columns in Google Sheets, whether you're on a computer or using your mobile device. With a few simple steps, you’ll be able to customize your sheets like a pro and make the most out of Google’s powerful tool.

Why Add Multiple Columns in Google Sheets?

Inserting multiple columns in Google Sheets can help you:

Accommodate Additional Data: Make room for new data without disrupting the existing layout.

Improve Organization: Restructure your sheet for better readability and data analysis.

Enhance Collaboration: Easily adjust your document for team members or collaborators.

How to Add Columns in Google Sheets

Adding columns in Google Sheets is very simple and always comes in handy. This is a two-step process to add columns in Google Sheets. Now to add multiple columns in Google Sheets, we have to add single columns multiple times. Here there are two ways we can use to add more columns in Google Sheets which are:

Prerequisites

The Step-by-Step Guide to implement these Approaches will follow but before that, you have to follow these steps to set up the Google Sheets to work in it.

Step 1: Open Google Sheets

The first and obvious step is to open Google Sheets on your browser.

Step 2. Select the Spreadsheet

After opening Google Sheets, you have to sign in with your Google Account. Then select the spreadsheet that you want to edit and add columns to. You can edit a blank spreadsheet or an already existing one.

How to Add Columns Using the Column Header Menu

This approach is a literal Two-step process and it is very simple to execute this. Also, this process might be the most used one for doing this particular purpose. The steps to implement this approach are given below:

Step 1: Select the Column

The column after or before which a column needs to be added must be selected first. But here you can Left-click on the column's header and the column will be selected and at the same time, the utility menu will open up.

Step 2: Select from Menu

After the Column now by click on the Menu options. There are two options to Insert the column to the left of the selected column or its right.

Step 3: Preview the Inserted Column

The new column will appear on the left or right of the selected column.

You have successfully Insert Multiple Columns in Google Sheets using the Column Header Menu.

How to Add a Column in Google Sheets Using the Insert option

This is a bit more lengthy process than the previous approach but it is similarly very simple and handy. In this process, we use the menu options of the top navigation bar. The steps to implement this approach are given below:

Step 1: Select the Column

The first one is to select the column before or after which you want to add another column. To select a particular column, just click on the header of the column.

Step 2: Click on the Insert Menu

On the top navigation bar, locate the Insert Menu and click on it. Upon clicking it a Dropdown Menu will expand showing several options.

Step 3: Choose the Columns Options

When the Insert menu's dropdown list is open, click on the "Columns" option and a side menu will open up. Now from that menu, you can select to insert a column either on the left or right of the selected column.

Step 4: Preview Inserted Column

The column will be inserted as specified.

You have successfully Insert Multiple Columns in Google Sheets using the the Insert option.

How to Add Multiple Columns in Google Sheets

The process of adding Multiple Columns is similar to what adding a single column is in Google Sheets. The only difference is the column selection. To do it follow the basic steps given below, but before that, there is a basic

Step 1: Select Multiple Columns

First, select the number of columns that you want to add.

For example, if you want to add two columns select two columns. You can select multiple columns, by selecting one column first. Then hold the "Shift" key and press the "→" arrow key to select other adjacent columns as many as you want to add.

Step 2: Click on Column Header and Select Insert 3 Columns Right

Now click on the header section of any column of the selected columns. This will open up the Helper options. Now click on the Insert Column option from the menu.

Step 3: Preview the Inserted Columns

You have successfully inserted Multiple Columns in Google Sheets.

How to Add Columns in Google Sheets on Android

Like on PC Google Sheets is completely functional and useful on Android so all these utilities work quite well on Android. The process is almost the same as the Adding columns on a PC and as simple as the previous one. Here the column is added using the Insert menu. First, you have to download the Google Sheets app on your Android and sign in with your Google Account. After that follow the step-by-step guide that is listed below to add columns.

Step 1: Open the Spreadsheet

After the Google Sheets App is opened, you have to sign in to your Google Account. Open the Spreadsheet where you want to Add columns.

Step 2: Select the Column

The first one is to select the column before or after which you want to add another column. To select a particular column, just click on the header of the column.

Step 3: Click on the Insert (+) Icon

After you have selected the column after or before which you want to insert the column. Click on the Insert icon "+" at the top right corner of the window. This will open up the Insert menu at the bottom.

Step 4: Insert the Column

From the Insert Menu at the bottom click on the Insert 1 column right/Insert 1 column left as your preference and requirement. Here I've inserted a new column after the selected column by clicking on Insert 1 column right.

Step 5: Preview Inserted Column

You have successfully inserted Columns in Google Sheets on Android.

How to Remove a Column in Google Sheets

Deleting or removing a column is the easiest and simplest of all. Right-click the column header and choose "Delete column" to delete the column. Take care since doing so will permanently remove the column and all of its contents. It is shown in the steps. below

Step 1: Open the Helper options of the Column

The column that you want to delete must be selected first. But here you can Left-click on the column's header and the column will be selected and at the same time, the utility menu will open up.

Step 2: Delete the Column

From the helper options in the menu click on the "Delete Column" option and the column will be removed.

You have successfully removed a column in Google Sheets.

Tips and Tricks for Managing Columns in Google Sheets

Enhance your Google Sheets experience with these helpful tips and tricks.

Use Keyboard Shortcuts: Press "Ctrl + Shift + +" to quickly add columns.

Duplicate Columns Easily: Select a column, copy it, and paste it to duplicate data quickly.

Handle Large Datasets: Insert multiple columns at once to organize large datasets more efficiently.

Also Read

• How to Sort Data in Google Sheets
• How to Use Filters in Google Sheets
• Google Sheets Tips and Tricks for Beginners

Conclusion

Adding multiple columns in Google Sheets is a basic but essential skill for anyone working with data. Whether you use the column header menu, the insert menu, or the Android app, these methods make it easy to customize your sheets for better data management and analysis. Explore these techniques and find the one that suits your workflow best!