having trouble inserting a column

Question

I'm having difficulty inserting a column in a table in Excel. When I attempt to highlight a single column to insert a column next to, ALL my columns are combining and I cannot insert the column where desired. HELP!!!

Answer 1

Hi,

You probably have merged cells somewhere. Unmerge those cells.

Answer 2

To insert a column in an Excel table without combining or merging other columns, use one of these supported methods:

1. For a normal worksheet (not necessarily a table):
   • Right-click the column letter to the right of where the new column should go.
   • Select Insert Columns.
   • For multiple columns, first select the same number of adjacent columns to the right of where the new ones should appear, then right-click and choose Insert Columns.
2. For Excel for Mac (similar behavior, different click):
   • Select the heading of the column to the right of where the new column is needed.
   • Hold down CONTROL, click the selected column heading, then choose Insert.
3. If working inside an Excel table and using a screen reader:
   • Place the cursor in the table where the new column should be relative to the current column.
   • Press F6 until on the Home tab.
   • Press Tab until "Insert, menu button" is announced, then press Down Arrow.
   • Choose one of:
     • Insert table columns to the left
     • Insert table columns to the right (only available if currently in the last column of the table).

If columns are “combining,” it is likely that cells are merged. Unmerge any merged cells in the header or data area before inserting columns; inserting columns into a range with merged cells can cause unexpected combining behavior.

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References:

• Insert or delete rows and columns in Excel
• Insert one or more rows, columns, or cells in Excel for Mac
• Use a screen reader to insert a table in an Excel worksheet