To move a column in Excel, select the column header, hold Shift, and drag the column edge to its new spot. That is the quick answer to “how do I move a column in Excel,” and this guide also covers four other everyday tasks: the CAGR formula in Excel, the Excel multiplication formula, and strikethrough in Excel.
Quick answers:
- Move a column: Shift + drag, or Ctrl+X, then Insert Cut Cells.
- CAGR: =(End/Start)^(1/Years)-1
- Multiply: =A1*B1
- Strikethrough: Ctrl+5 on desktop Excel.
How to Move a Column in Excel
The safest way is to cut the column and use Insert Cut Cells. The fastest way is Shift + drag. Both methods move the column without wiping out the data next to it.
Many people drag a column without holding Shift. Excel then replaces the data at the destination instead of inserting the column. Holding Shift tells Excel to insert.
Method 1: Shift + Drag
- Click the column letter to select the whole column.
- Hover over the edge until you see a four-sided arrow.
- Hold Shift and drag. A green line shows where the column will land.
- Release the mouse first, then release Shift.
Method 2: Cut and Insert Cut Cells
- Select the column and press Ctrl+X.
- Right-click the column where you want it to go. The cut column is inserted before it.
- Click Insert Cut Cells.
To place a column between B and C, right-click column C. You can also use the ribbon: Home → Insert → Insert Cut Cells.
Method 3: Keyboard Only
Press Ctrl+Space to select the column, then Ctrl+X to cut it. Move to the destination column, press Ctrl+Space again, then use the ribbon keys for Insert Cut Cells. This helps users who cannot use a mouse.
Moving Multiple Columns
Click the first column header, hold Shift, and click the last one. Then use either method above. For columns that are not next to each other, move them one at a time. Another option is to add a helper row of index numbers, reorder those numbers, and sort by them.
| Method | Best for | Limitation |
| Shift + drag | Quick single moves | Needs a mouse |
| Cut + Insert Cut Cells | Safest option | A few more clicks |
| Power Query | Repeatable workflows | Takes setup |
| CHOOSECOLS (Excel 365) | Formula-based reordering | Excel 365 only |
| VBA macro | Batch jobs | Needs VBA skills |
Excel updates formulas automatically when you move columns with these methods. Manual copy and paste can break references. If your data sits in an Excel Table, convert it to a range first (Table Design → Convert to Range), or use Power Query.
CAGR Formula in Excel
The CAGR formula in Excel is =(End/Start)^(1/Years)-1. CAGR stands for Compound Annual Growth Rate. It shows the steady yearly growth rate that would take an investment from its starting value to its ending value.
Say your investment grew from 10,000 in B2 to 18,000 in B7 over five years. Type =(B7/B2)^(1/5)-1. The result is about 12.5%. Format the cell as a percentage (Ctrl+Shift+%), or you will see 0.125.
The most common mistake is counting data points instead of periods. Five yearly values cover only four years of growth, so the formula would use ^(1/4).
Other Ways to Calculate CAGR
| Method | Formula |
| Manual | =(End/Start)^(1/Years)-1 |
| RRI function | =RRI(Years, Start, End) |
| RATE function | =RATE(Years, 0, -Start, End) |
| POWER function | =POWER(End/Start, 1/Years)-1 |
RRI is the simplest. It has been in Excel since 2013. For uneven time spans, use YEARFRAC for the year count: =(End/Start)^(1/YEARFRAC(StartDate,EndDate))-1.
CAGR vs IRR vs XIRR
Use CAGR for a single lump-sum investment with no money added or removed. Use IRR when you invest at regular intervals, such as a monthly SIP. Use XIRR when deposits and withdrawals happen on random dates, because it uses exact dates.
CAGR can be negative. If a portfolio falls from 100 to 50 over five years, =(50/100)^(1/5)-1 gives -12.9%. It fails only when the starting value is zero (#DIV/0!) or negative. Remember that CAGR is a smoothed rate, not your actual return in any single year.
Excel Multiplication Formula
The Excel multiplication formula uses the asterisk: =A1*B1. Every formula must start with an equals sign, and you must use *, not the letter “x.”
Excel follows the normal order of operations, so =5+2*3 gives 11, not 21. Use parentheses to change the order.
| Method | Formula | Best for |
| Asterisk | =A1*B1 | Two or a few cells |
| PRODUCT | =PRODUCT(A1:A10) | Ranges or many numbers |
| SUMPRODUCT | =SUMPRODUCT(A1:A10,B1:B10) | Multiply, then add up |
| Array formula (365) | =A2:A10*B2:B10 | Whole columns at once |
| Paste Special → Multiply | No formula | One-time changes |
Practical Examples
To find total revenue from quantity in column A and price in column B, use =SUMPRODUCT(A2:A100,B2:B100). Both ranges must be the same size, or you will get an error.
To apply a tax rate stored in B1 to a list, lock the cell with dollar signs: =A2*B1. Without them, the reference shifts as you copy the formula down.
In Excel 365, =A2:A100*B2:B100 spills results automatically. In Excel 2019 and earlier, press Ctrl+Shift+Enter for array formulas or fill the formula down.
If you see #VALUE!, one of your cells probably holds text. Convert it with =VALUE(A1)*B1, or wrap the formula in IFERROR.
Strikethrough in Excel
The fastest way to add strikethrough in Excel is to select the cells and press Ctrl+5. Excel does not put a strikethrough button on the Home tab, which is why many people cannot find it.
The other options are:
- Format Cells dialog: Press Ctrl+1, open the Font tab, tick Strikethrough, and click OK.
- Quick Access Toolbar: Go to File → Options → Quick Access Toolbar, choose Strikethrough, and add it for one-click use.
- VBA: Selection.Font.Strikethrough = True
Automatic Strikethrough for To-Do Lists
Conditional formatting can cross out finished tasks for you:
- Select your task range.
- Go to Home → Conditional Formatting → New Rule.
- Choose “Use a formula” and enter =$B2=”Complete”.
- Click Format, tick Strikethrough, and confirm.
The formula must return TRUE. If the rule does not work, test the formula in a spare cell and check your $ signs. Strikethrough uses the text color, so you cannot change the line color on its own.
According to the research behind this guide, Excel for the Web cannot apply strikethrough. Click “Open in Excel” to use the desktop app, apply the format, and save. Strikethrough applied in the desktop app still shows in the browser. Microsoft updates the web version often, so check whether this has changed.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Most Excel errors come from small slips, and they are easy to fix once you know them.
- Moving columns: dragging without Shift, selecting cells instead of the whole column, or trying to move merged cells.
- CAGR: counting data points as years, forgetting the -1, or using CAGR when XIRR fits better.
- Multiplying: leaving out =, typing “x,” or mismatching range sizes in SUMPRODUCT.
- Strikethrough: looking on the ribbon, or working in the web version.
If you make a mistake, press Ctrl+Z right away. Excel keeps a long undo history.
Latest Excel Updates (2026)
Excel 365 keeps adding tools that make these tasks easier.
- Formula by Example (Dec 2025 – Feb 2026): in an Excel Table, type example results in three rows and Excel suggests a formula for the rest. It can help with multiplication and growth-style formulas.
- Copilot web search (May 2026): the =COPILOT() function can now pull in live web data, which is handy for current financial figures.
- PivotTable improvements (August 2026): creating and organizing PivotTables is smoother.
- Dynamic array functions: CHOOSECOLS, CHOOSEROWS, VSTACK, HSTACK, TEXTSPLIT and GROUPBY are standard in Excel 365. CHOOSECOLS lets you reorder columns with a formula.
Version matters. RRI works in Excel 2013 and later. CHOOSECOLS and dynamic arrays need Excel 365.
FAQs
How do I move a column in Excel without overwriting data?
Select the column, press Ctrl+X, right-click the destination column, and choose Insert Cut Cells. You can also hold Shift while dragging.
Why does dragging overwrite my data in Excel?
Without Shift, Excel replaces the destination cells instead of inserting. Hold Shift and watch for the green insertion line.
What is the CAGR formula in Excel?
Use =(End/Start)^(1/Years)-1, or the shorter =RRI(Years, Start, End).
What is the difference between CAGR and XIRR?
CAGR fits one lump-sum investment. XIRR handles deposits and withdrawals on irregular dates.
What is the multiplication formula in Excel?
Use the asterisk, such as =A1*B1. For ranges, use =PRODUCT(A1:A10). To multiply and add up, use =SUMPRODUCT(A1:A10,B1:B10).
What is the strikethrough shortcut in Excel?
Press Ctrl+5 in desktop Excel, or press Ctrl+1 and tick Strikethrough on the Font tab.
Can I strikethrough in Excel for the Web?
Not according to the research behind this guide. Open the file in the desktop app, apply it there, and save.