Move or copy rows and columns

When you move or copy rows and columns, Excel moves or copies all data that they contain, including formulas and their resulting values, comments, cell formats, and hidden cells.

You can use the Cut command or Copy command to move or copy selected rows and columns, but you can also move or copy them by using the mouse.

Follow these steps to move or copy cells:

1. Select the row or column that you want to move or copy.

2. Do one of the following:

   • To move rows or columns, on the Home tab, in the Clipboard group, click Cut .

     

     Keyboard shortcut: Press CTRL+X.

   • To copy rows or columns, on the Home tab, in the Clipboard group, click Copy .

     Keyboard shortcut: Press CTRL+C.

3. Right-click a row or column below or to the right of where you want to move or copy your selection, and then do one of the following:

   • When you are moving rows or columns, click Insert Cut Cells.

   • When you are copying rows or columns, click Insert Copied Cells.

     Note: If you click Paste on the Home tab, in the Clipboard group (or press CTRL+V) instead of clicking a command on the shortcut menu, you will replace the existing content of the destination cells.

Move or copy rows and columns by using the mouse

1. Select the row or column that you want to move or copy.

2. Do one of the following:

   • To move rows or columns, point to the border of the selection. When the pointer becomes a move pointer , drag the rows or columns to another location.

   • To copy rows or columns, hold down CTRL while you point to the border of the selection. When the pointer becomes a copy pointer , drag the rows or columns to another location.

     Important: Make sure that you hold down CTRL during the drag-and-drop operation. If you release CTRL before you release the mouse button, you will move the rows or columns instead of copying them.

   When you use the mouse to insert copied or cut columns or rows, the existing content of the destination cells is replaced. To insert copied or cut rows and columns without replacing the existing content, you should right-click the row or column below or to the right of where you want to move or copy your selection, and then click Insert Cut Cells or Insert Copied Cells.

   Note: You cannot move or copy nonadjacent rows and columns by using the mouse.

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