A column is a set of cells that are grouped vertically (from top to bottom) in the Excel sheet. They are identified with letters of the alphabet that are found on top of them. The columns are distributed in the aforementioned way, in a total of 16,384 boxes ranging from A to Z.
However, given the considerable amount in a spreadsheet, when you reach the end of the alphabet, the order starts again at AA, AB, AC, etc. These letters are known as column header or column header and allow you to quickly identify the location of any variable within the document. To discover more about this topic, continue reading this post.
What are they for
The columns of Excel helps you find any existing data in the workbook almost instantly. Well, each one of them represents a specific and unique position of the information described in the spreadsheet. They are combined with rows and can be moved or eliminated according to the use or need that exists.
How many exist
Initially, Microsoft included 256 columns in older versions of Excelfrom 2003 to 2007. However, this changed starting in 2010, when the company decided to take this number up to 16,384, which is a fairly large figure for a tool of this type. However, this remains the case to this day, placing the program as one of the best in the world.
How to move
Move or offset an Excel column It’s as simple as selecting it and dragging it from its point of origin to the new location. It is worth mentioning that only the content of the cells will be movedthat is, the header will remain in the same place established in your programming.
How to eliminate
Sometimes you may require delete or delete a column from Excel. Well, to do it you just have to follow a couple of simple steps and any content you have written in the indicated cellswill disappear.
- Select the column to delete or you can right click on the letter that represents the column. In this case “A”.
- Right click on the selected column and select “Eliminate”.
With this you will have successfully deleted the column and its content. It is recommended that you have a copy or backup of the information you deleted, this will help avoid any future problems.
How to insert
For insert a new column in excel, you only have to select the one you are going to replace. To do this you must right click on the letter that represents it and select “Insert”. In this way, empty cells are created vertically that you can use without any problem. It is worth mentioning that These are inserted to the right of the one you select.
Likewise, if you want add more than one columnyou will have to hold down the “ keyCtrl” while you click and select, later you will have to repeat the aforementioned process. With this you will be creating different cells simultaneously.
Hide or show
Some people Hide spreadsheet cells to avoid blank spaces within it. This is something reversible and temporary, which can be undone at the same time you do it. For hide or show columns in Excel The process is basically the same, varying only in each person’s final decision. Learn how to do it by looking at the steps described below:
- Select the cell or cells you want to hide.
- Right click on the header of any of them and select “Disguise”.
- By doing so the selected columns will disappear.
This way, you will hide any column you want in Excel. You should know that, to reverse this, just highlight the cell or cells that are next to the ones you hid, right click on their header and select “Show”.
For example, if you hid the “E”, you will need to highlight the “D” and “F” to make it visible again.
How to block or immobilize
This option allows you freeze the first column or the first row in Excelso that they remain visible even though you are very far to the right in the spreadsheet.
For block scrolling a column in Excel you must follow the route view > freeze and select the option that corresponds to what you are looking for.
Note: You can only freeze the first row or the first column of the sheet (A/1).
How to compare
It is normal for them to occur repetitions or similar data between columns in Excel. That is why the program gives you the option to compare the content between them, so that you can find coincidences and differences in the text. To compare them, you must follow these steps:
- Select all the cells to evaluate in Excel.
- Click “Conditional format” to display the menu.
- Place the pointer on “Highlight cell rules” and select “Duplicate values” in the menu that will appear.
- Press “Accept”.
- Excel will show you all the matches found between one column and the other.
With this you will be able to know which values are repeated within the columns and you will have a more objective view of the study you carried out or the calculations you need.
Other functions
No doubt Excel is a complete program, loaded with the best tools that any professional may require for the calculation area. That is why, in addition to all the functions described above, This software incorporates many moreamong which are:
- Format columns and rows.
- Group columns.
- Convert to tables.
- Make graphs from information contained in columns or rows.
- And much more.
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