Rows and Columns in Microsoft Excel

What is meant by the term Row in Microsoft Excel?

We all know that in the Microsoft Excel, each Row is basically denoted as well as identified by the unique numeric value which we can be easily seen on the left-hand side of the selected sheet as well. And the row numbers are arranged vertically on the given worksheet which is ranging from 1 to 1,048,576 it means that we have 1,048,576 rows in Microsoft Excel.

And the rows in the Excel sheet themselves run horizontally on a worksheet effectively. The data is usually placed horizontally in the given table and will move across from left to right direction.

Besides all this, in the Microsoft Excel Row named as "1" is considered to be the first row in the sheet, as we can see in the example below, we can easily select the whole Row with the row number 3 by just clicking on the particular number.

Rows and Columns in Microsoft Excel

Moreover, to navigate through the numbers as well as reach out to the last Row, we can use the below-mentioned one as well:

  • For Windows Users: Control down the navigation arrow. Firstly we will be pressing out the Control key and then, while holding it down, we will again click on the down navigation arrow.
  • And for Mac Users: We can use the Command down navigation arrow to achieve this we are required to click on the Command key after then while holding it down, will press the down navigation arrow.
  • And to get back to the first Row (at the top of the sheet) again, we need to press out the Control up navigation arrow for Windows and Command up navigation arrow for Mac.

What do we mean by the term Columns in Microsoft Excel?

The columns in the Microsoft Excel is primarily denoted as well as identified by a unique alphabetical header letter, and the column is located just at the top of the selected worksheet. And the column headers, that are ranging out from A to XFD, the Excel spreadsheets, can have 16,384 columns.

And the columns in the Microsoft Excel will run vertically in the selected worksheet, as well as the data goes from up to down direction respectively.

And in Microsoft Excel, the Column named 'A' is considered the first Column; from the example mentioned below, we can easily see that the whole Column with header B is selected by just clicking on the letter which are present at the top of the sheet.

Rows and Columns in Microsoft Excel

And if in case we need to move to the last Column:

  • For the Windows Users: We can make use of the Control right navigation arrow. And we are required to firstly press out the Control key and then, while holding it down, we will be clicking on the right navigation arrow.
  • And for Mac Users: We can use the Command right navigation arrow, we are required to click on the Command key and then, while holding it down, we will be clicking on the right navigation arrow as well.
  • To return to the first Column again, we will click on the Control left navigation arrow for Windows and the Command left navigation arrow for Mac.

What is cell in Microsoft Excel?

It was well known that a cell is usually an intersection of rows and a column. A row, as well as a column adjoined, makes up a cell.

A cell can be defined as the combination of the row number as well as a column header all together.

Besides all this, we can also select an entire row or Column from a given cell.

  • And for the purpose of selecting the whole Row in any cell, we will be clicking on the Shift Space.
  • And in order to select the whole Column in any cell, we will be just clicking on the Ctrl-Space as well.

What are the key differences between Excel Row and Excel Column?

The significant difference associated with the Row and columns in Microsoft Excel is as follows:

  • The most essential and critical difference between Excel rows and Column is that rows are horizontal, whereas the columns are vertical, which means that if we store data in Excel horizontally, we can use as well as store out the data in rows in Excel sheet. On the other hand, if we are storing and doing data entry in vertical position in an Excel sheet, it means the data is being stored in Excel column-wise.
  • For example: If in case we writing anything in A and after that we are writing out the subsequent entry in cell B, which means that we are storing the data column-wise; on the contrary, if we can write anything in the cell 1 and then in cell 2, and in that particular scenario we are just storing out the data by making use of the of rows in Microsoft excel.
  • Arrangement of the rows in Microsoft Excel is such that, we are arranging it from left to right direction; for example, if in case the respective data is written in columns A, B, as well as in C but only in row 1, then that particular data is said to be present in row 1 and due to this reason, it runs from left to right direction. Similarly on the other hand, the arrangement of the columns in an Excel sheet is such that it primarily runs from top to bottom while considering an example of data structure in only one Column that is column A, running in multiple rows.
  • In the Excel sheet, the respective rows are indicated by the numbers which are located on the extreme left-hand side of an Excel spreadsheet. Similarly, the Column is indicated by the help of the alphabet in Excel sheets, which are located at the top of the Excel sheet below the formula bar.
  • Besides all these, the Row consists of the various data fields in a given database management system, and a Column consists of a single data attribute, and an accumulator consists of a single attribute in a given data set.
  • And in Microsoft Excel, a table is divided into four sections that are none other than the caption box, head, stub, as well as the body. And in this, the topmost part of the table usually represents the columns, known as "caption." As this stub is extreme, the table's left part also describes the rows.

Comparison Table for Row and Columns in Microsoft Excel

We will be having a quick look at the top 5 Comparison that exist between row and column.

Excel RowExcel Column
The total of all the rows is depicted in the extreme right corner of the Microsoft Excel sheet.While in columns, all the respective columns are primarily shown at the bottom of the Microsoft Excel sheet as well.
And in an Excel sheet, the horizontal set of any data set can be termed a "row."While in a Microsoft Excel sheet, the leftover vertical set of a database is called a "column."
And respective Microsoft has placed limits on the number of rows up to 1,048,576 in the sheets.Microsoft has also placed limits on the number of columns, up to 16,384 in the given sheets.
In an Excel sheet, the Rows can go up and down in a database according to the needs and scenario.While Column rows go side by side in a given database in an effective manner.
Row 1 is considered to be the first Row in the Microsoft Excel sheet.And Column A is considered as the first Column in the Microsoft Excel sheet.

How one easily Select Rows as well as Columns in Microsoft Excel?

In this we will be learning out how one can select the rows and columns in Microsoft Excel.

#Example 1: Rows and columns in Microsoft Excel

It is well known that when we normally open a workbook, then, we can see that the particular sheet usually contains the tabular rows as well as the columns where each Row is specified by its row number as well as the Column and specified by their column header respectively.

Let us now consider the below example, which contains some of the data in an Excel sheet. And here, we will be seeing how we can easily select the rows as well as the columns in Microsoft Excel:

Rows and Columns in Microsoft Excel

As in the above screenshot, we can see that the respective names and the age column have their header names, which are stored in A and B, and each Row has its row number as well.

And In the Excel sheet, each time we select a row or a column, the "Name Box" will primarily display the specific row number and the column name, shown below the screenshot, respectively.

Rows and Columns in Microsoft Excel

Moreover, in this example, we will be selecting out the Names as well as the Age, and then we will be seeing how rows and the column head selection are displayed on the selected sheet as well.

Step 1: First, see how the rows and cell Names are as 'John.' And once we are done with selecting the cell name, John, then after we will get the row number as well as the column name labeled as A2 in the name box, which means that we have selected column A and the second Row as A2, as depicted below screenshot with the yellow highlighted cell as "Johan."

Rows and Columns in Microsoft Excel

Step 3: In this step we will be selecting out the cell 23, which will be depicting out the selected cell as B2.

Rows and Columns in Microsoft Excel

Step 4: We will be selecting out all the names as well as the columns in order to show that we have 4 rows and 2 columns:

Rows and Columns in Microsoft Excel

In this way, we can quickly identify the row number and the column name by selecting each cell in Microsoft Excel.

#Example2: Changing Row and Column Size

In this example, we will see how we can easily change the Row as well as the column size.

It was well known that the Microsoft Excel row, as well as the column width size, can be easily modified by making use of the format option in the HOME menu, which is shown below.

Rows and Columns in Microsoft Excel

By just making use of the respective format menu, we can easily change the Row as well as the column width where we have the list option:

  • ROW HEIGHT: The Row Height in the Microsoft Excel sheet can effectively adjust the row height as well.
  • AUTOFIT ROW HEIGHT: The Autofit Row Height in the Excel sheet automatically adjusts the row height respectively.
  • COLUMN WIDTH: The Column is used for adjusting the Excel sheet's column width.
  • AUTOFIT COLUMN WIDTH: The Autofit Column Width will automatically adjust the column width in the Excel sheet.

Now we will consider the below example to change the Row as well as the column width, and for this we are required to follow the below-mentioned steps very carefully.

Rows and Columns in Microsoft Excel

Step 1: We are required to select the second Row.

Rows and Columns in Microsoft Excel

Step 2: Now, after that, we are required to go to the "Format menu" and we will be clicking on ROW HEIGHT respectively:

Rows and Columns in Microsoft Excel

Step 3: Once we have selected the ROW HEIGHT, we will be getting the dialog box below to change the Row's height as well.

Rows and Columns in Microsoft Excel

Step 4: We will be then increasing the row height to 25 so that the selected row height will increase.

Rows and Columns in Microsoft Excel

We can see that the row height has increased as compared to the previous one; alternatively, we can change the row height by using the mouse.

Rows and Columns in Microsoft Excel

Step 5: After that, we will be going to the second option, that are present in the format list known as "AUTOFIT ROW HEIGHT," that will automatically reset the Row to its original height.

Step 6: We will again selecting the same Row and will go to the Format menu.

Step 7: After that, we will select the "AutoFit Row Height" respectively.

Rows and Columns in Microsoft Excel

And once we click on the "AutoFit Row Height" option, the row height will reset to the original position.

Rows and Columns in Microsoft Excel

Adjusting Column Width

In this, we can adjust the column width similarly by just using the format option.

Step 1: First of all, we are required to click on the cell B cell respectively:

Rows and Columns in Microsoft Excel

Step 2: In this step, we will be moving to the Format menu, and then will click on column width.

Rows and Columns in Microsoft Excel

And once we click on the Column width, we will get out the below dialog box to increase the column width.

Rows and Columns in Microsoft Excel

Step 3: We will be increasing the column width by 15 to increase the column width.

Rows and Columns in Microsoft Excel Rows and Columns in Microsoft Excel

As in the above screenshot, we can easily see that the column width has been increased; alternatively, we can also adjust the column width by just making use of the mouse where if we have just place the mouse cursor, and we will be getting the + plus mark sign near to the Column.

Step 4: At last we will be clicking on the next option, "AutoFit Column width." So that the selected Column will be get reset to its original size.

What are the basic things need to be remembered by an individual while working with the Row and columns in Microsoft Excel?

The basic things that need to be remembered by an individual while working with the Row as well as the columns in Microsoft Excel are as follows:

  1. An individual can quickly delete as well as insert out the multiple rows as well as the columns in an Excel sheet.
  2. Individual can also hide out the specific Row and the columns by making use of the hide option.
  3. Row and column cells can be easily protected by locking out the specific cells.





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