How to move a column in Google Documents?

Question

I know how to do this in Google Spreadsheets, but it seems there's no data moving support for tables in Google Documents at all. (I can't even select in columns)

Does anyone know how to do it?

Answer 1

I've tried a lot. You can't move the columns of a table in the Documents of GDocs. However, if you create a column to the left or right or where you want the new column, you can then select the content from the column you want to move, copy, then, and this is important, you have to select the whole new (blank, newly created) column from top to bottom, and paste the material there. Then, delete the old column and the table will re-format the size. Good luck!!

Answer 2

1. click the column
2. ctrl-c or command-c to copy
3. right click column where you want to move it , select "Insert 1 right"
4. ctrl-v or command-v to paste done.

Answer 3

I was unable to move it at first, but if I double click on column name and drag it, I could see a black line border at the left edge of the column and when I drag it across the other columns, I was actually able to move it.

Answer 4

Alternative 1. Create a new column and paste the contents into it

As already explained in this answer you can create a new column and then copy-paste the contents from the source column to the new empty column. Finally, delete the no longer wanted column.

To create a new column
Right-click any cell next to where you want the new column to appear and choose either Insert column left or Insert column right. Copy-paste the contents.

To delete the old column
Right-click any cell in the no longer wanted column and (left-)click Delete column.

Alternative 2. Create a Google Stylesheet and link it to Google Docs

The above solution works fine, but I prefer a slightly different method :

• I create the table in a Google Stylesheet document.

• Then I link the stylesheet table to the Google Docs document.

Instructions in more detail
In the Google Stylesheet, I (left-)click the cell at the bottom-right of the table. Then I press Shift and keep it down, and hit the left arrow ← until all columns are selected. Still keeping the Shift down, I press and keep the up arrow ↑ down until all columns are selected. ¹

Next I press Ctrl+c, then open the Google Docs document, and press Ctrl+v where I want the table. ²

I leave Link to spreadsheet checked and click Paste.

The table is now linked from Google Stylesheet to Google Docs. This means that whenever I make a change in the Google Stylesheet table, I'm offered to UPDATE the linked table in Google Docs. ³

Reference

• Solution on how to move a column in Google Docs
• Google Drive documents keyboard shortcuts for Windows and macOS

---

¹ There might be other (more elegant) ways to do it, but this works for me.

² On macOS just press ⌘ whenever I write Ctrl.

³ For example, in the Google Stylesheet table, I can click a column letter and drag the column to the left or the right whichever I want.

Answer 5

I've just checked and selecting both row and columns is allowed. Right clicking over selected column (or row) shows cut, copy, paste an a few other options. You should check any restriction on your web browser. Maybe trying with another one.