If you have a worksheet with data in columns that you need to rotate to rearrange it in rows, use the Transpose feature. With it, you can quickly switch data from columns to rows, or vice versa.
For example, if your data looks like this, with Sales Regions in the column headings and and Quarters along the left side:

The Transpose feature will rearrange the table such that the Quarters are showing in the column headings and the Sales Regions can be seen on the left, like this:

Note: If your data is in an Excel table, the Transpose feature won’t be available. You can convert the table to a range first, or you can use the TRANSPOSE function to rotate the rows and columns.
Here’s how to do it:
-
Select the range of data you want to rearrange, including any row or column labels, and press Ctrl+C.
Note: Ensure that you copy the data to do this, since using the Cut command or Ctrl+X won’t work.
-
Choose a new location in the worksheet where you want to paste the transposed table, ensuring that there is plenty of room to paste your data. The new table that you paste there will entirely overwrite any data / formatting that’s already there.
Right-click over the top-left cell of where you want to paste the transposed table, then choose Transpose
.
-
After rotating the data successfully, you can delete the original table and the data in the new table will remain intact.
Tips for transposing your data
-
If your data includes formulas, Excel automatically updates them to match the new placement. Verify these formulas use absolute references—if they don’t, you can switch between relative, absolute, and mixed references before you rotate the data.
-
If you want to rotate your data frequently to view it from different angles, consider creating a PivotTable so that you can quickly pivot your data by dragging fields from the Rows area to the Columns area (or vice versa) in the PivotTable Field List.
You can paste data as transposed data within your workbook. Transpose reorients the content of copied cells when pasting. Data in rows is pasted into columns and vice versa.
Here’s how you can transpose cell content:
-
Copy the cell range.
-
Select the empty cells where you want to paste the transposed data.
-
On the Home tab, click the Paste icon, and select Paste Transpose.
Do you have some values arranged as rows in your workbook, and do you want to convert text in rows to columns in Excel like this?
In Excel, you can do this manually or automatically in multiple ways depending on your purpose. Read on to get all the details and choose the best solution for yourself.
How to convert rows into columns or columns to rows in Excel – the basic solution
The easiest way to convert rows to columns in Excel is via the Paste Transpose option. Here is how it looks:
- Select and copy the needed range
- Right-click on a cell where you want to convert rows to columns
- Select the Paste Transpose option to rotate rows to columns
As an alternative, you can use the Paste Special option and mark Transpose using its menu.
It works the same if you need to convert columns to rows in Excel.
This is the best way for a one-time conversion of small to medium numbers of rows both in the Excel desktop and online.
Can I convert multiple rows to columns in Excel from another workbook?
The method above will work well if you want to convert rows to columns in Excel between different workbooks using Excel desktop. You need to have both spreadsheets open and do the copying and pasting as described.
However, in Excel Online, this won’t work for different workbooks. The Paste Transpose option is not available.
Therefore, in this case, it’s better to use the TRANSPOSE function.
How to switch rows and columns in Excel in more efficient ways
To switch rows and columns in Excel automatically or dynamically, you can use one of these options:
- Excel TRANSPOSE function
- VBA macro
- Power Query
Let’s check out each of them in the example of a data range that we imported to Excel from a Google Sheets file using Coupler.io.
Coupler.io is an integration solution that synchronizes data between source and destination apps on a regular schedule. For example, you can set up an automatic data export from Google Sheets every day to your Excel workbook.
Check out all the available Excel integrations.
How to change row to column in Excel with TRANSPOSE
TRANSPOSE is the Excel function that allows you to switch rows and columns in Excel. Here is its syntax:
=TRANSPOSE(array)
array– an array of columns or rows to transpose
One of the main benefits of TRANSPOSE is that it links the converted columns/rows with the source rows/columns. So, if the values in the rows change, the same changes will be made in the converted columns.
TRANSPOSE formula to convert multiple rows to columns in Excel desktop
TRANSPOSE is an array formula, which means that you’ll need to select a number of cells in the columns that correspond to the number of cells in the rows to be converted and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
=TRANSPOSE(A1:J2)
Fortunately, you don’t have to go through this procedure in Excel Online.
TRANSPOSE formula to rotate row to column in Excel Online
You can simply insert your TRANSPOSE formula in a cell and hit enter. The rows will be rotated to columns right away without any additional button combinations.
Excel TRANSPOSE multiple rows in a group to columns between different workbooks
We promised to demonstrate how you can use TRANSPOSE to rotate rows to columns between different workbooks. In Excel Online, you need to do the following:
- Copy a range of columns to rotate from one spreadsheet and paste it as a link to another spreadsheet.

- We need this URL path to use in the TRANSPOSE formula, so copy it.
- The URL path above is for a cell, not for an array. So, you’ll need to slightly update it to an array to use in your TRANSPOSE formula. Here is what it should look like:
=TRANSPOSE('https://d.docs.live.net/ec25d9990d879c55/Docs/Convert rows to columns/[dataset.xlsx]dataset'!A1:D12)
You can follow the same logic for rotating rows to columns between workbooks in Excel desktop.
Are there other formulas to convert columns to rows in Excel?
TRANSPOSE is not the only function you can use to change rows to columns in Excel. A combination of INDIRECT and ADDRESS functions can be considered as an alternative, but the flow to convert rows to columns in Excel using this formula is much trickier. Let’s check it out in the following example.
How to convert text in columns to rows in Excel using INDIRECT+ADDRESS
If you have a set of columns with the first cell A1, the following formula will allow you to convert columns to rows in Excel.
=INDIRECT(ADDRESS(COLUMN(A1),ROW(A1)))
But where are the rows, you may ask! Well, first you need to drag this formula down if you are converting multiple columns to rows. Then drag it to the right.
NOTE: This Excel formula only to convert data in columns to rows starting with A1 cell. If your columns start from another cell, check out the next section.
How to convert Excel data in columns to rows using INDIRECT+ADDRESS from other cells
To convert columns to rows in Excel with INDIRECT+ADDRESS formulas from not A1 cell only, use the following formula:
=INDIRECT(ADDRESS(COLUMN(first_cell) - COLUMN($first_cell) + ROW($first_cell), ROW(first_cell) - ROW($first_cell) + COLUMN($first_cell)))
- first_cell – enter the first cell of your columns
Here is an example of how to convert Excel data in columns to rows:
=INDIRECT(ADDRESS(COLUMN(C5) - COLUMN($C$5) + ROW($C$5), ROW(C5) - ROW($C$5) + COLUMN($C$5)))
Again, you’ll need to drag the formula down and to the right to populate the rest of the cells.
How to automatically convert rows to columns in Excel VBA
VBA is a superb option if you want to customize some function or functionality. However, this option is only code-based. Below we provide a script that allows you to change rows to columns in Excel automatically.
- Go to the Visual Basic Editor (VBE). Click Alt+F11 or you can go to the Developer tab => Visual Basic.
- In VBE, go to Insert => Module.
- Copy and paste the script into the window. You’ll find the script in the next section.
- Now you can close the VBE. Go to Developer => Macros and you’ll see your RowsToColumns macro. Click Run.
- You’ll be asked to select the array to rotate and the cell to insert the rotated columns.
- There you go!
VBA macro script to convert multiple rows to columns in Excel
Sub TransposeColumnsRows()
Dim SourceRange As Range
Dim DestRange As Range
Set SourceRange = Application.InputBox(Prompt:="Please select the range to transpose", Title:="Transpose Rows to Columns", Type:=8)
Set DestRange = Application.InputBox(Prompt:="Select the upper left cell of the destination range", Title:="Transpose Rows to Columns", Type:=8)
SourceRange.Copy
DestRange.Select
Selection.PasteSpecial Paste:=xlPasteAll, Operation:=xlNone, SkipBlanks:=False, Transpose:=True
Application.CutCopyMode = False
End Sub
Sub RowsToColumns()
Dim SourceRange As Range
Dim DestRange As Range
Set SourceRange = Application.InputBox(Prompt:="Select the array to rotate", Title:="Convert Rows to Columns", Type:=8)
Set DestRange = Application.InputBox(Prompt:="Select the cell to insert the rotated columns", Title:="Convert Rows to Columns", Type:=8)
SourceRange.Copy
DestRange.Select
Selection.PasteSpecial Paste:=xlPasteAll, Operation:=xlNone, SkipBlanks:=False, Transpose:=True
Application.CutCopyMode = False
End Sub
Read more in our Excel Macros Tutorial.
Convert rows to column in Excel using Power Query
Power Query is another powerful tool available for Excel users. We wrote a separate Power Query Tutorial, so feel free to check it out.
Meanwhile, you can use Power Query to transpose rows to columns. To do this, go to the Data tab, and create a query from table.
- Then select a range of cells to convert rows to columns in Excel. Click OK to open the Power Query Editor.
- In the Power Query Editor, go to the Transform tab and click Transpose. The rows will be rotated to columns.
- If you want to keep the headers for your columns, click the Use First Row as Headers button.
- That’s it. You can Close & Load your dataset – the rows will be converted to columns.
Error message when trying to convert rows to columns in Excel
To wrap up with converting Excel data in columns to rows, let’s review the typical error messages you can face during the flow.
Overlap error
The overlap error occurs when you’re trying to paste the transposed range into the area of the copied range. Please avoid doing this.
Wrong data type error
You may see this #VALUE! error when you implement the TRANSPOSE formula in Excel desktop without pressing Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
Other errors may be caused by typos or other misprints in the formulas you use to convert groups of data from rows to columns in Excel. Always double-check the syntax before pressing Enter or Ctrl+Shift+Enter 🙂 . Good luck with your data!
-
A content manager at Coupler.io whose key responsibility is to ensure that the readers love our content on the blog. With 5 years of experience as a wordsmith in SaaS, I know how to make texts resonate with readers’ queries✍🏼
Back to Blog
Focus on your business
goals while we take care of your data!
Try Coupler.io
Содержание
- Transpose (rotate) data from rows to columns or vice versa
- Tips for transposing your data
- Need more help?
- How You Can Convert Rows to Columns or Columns to Rows in Excel Workbooks
- How to convert rows into columns or columns to rows in Excel – the basic solution
- Can I convert multiple rows to columns in Excel from another workbook?
- How to switch rows and columns in Excel in more efficient ways
- How to change row to column in Excel with TRANSPOSE
- TRANSPOSE formula to convert multiple rows to columns in Excel desktop
- TRANSPOSE formula to rotate row to column in Excel Online
- Excel TRANSPOSE multiple rows in a group to columns between different workbooks
- Are there other formulas to convert columns to rows in Excel?
- How to convert text in columns to rows in Excel using INDIRECT+ADDRESS
- How to convert Excel data in columns to rows using INDIRECT+ADDRESS from other cells
- How to automatically convert rows to columns in Excel VBA
- VBA macro script to convert multiple rows to columns in Excel
- Convert rows to column in Excel using Power Query
- Error message when trying to convert rows to columns in Excel
- Overlap error
- Wrong data type error
Transpose (rotate) data from rows to columns or vice versa
If you have a worksheet with data in columns that you need to rotate to rearrange it in rows, use the Transpose feature. With it, you can quickly switch data from columns to rows, or vice versa.
For example, if your data looks like this, with Sales Regions in the column headings and and Quarters along the left side:
The Transpose feature will rearrange the table such that the Quarters are showing in the column headings and the Sales Regions can be seen on the left, like this:
Note: If your data is in an Excel table, the Transpose feature won’t be available. You can convert the table to a range first, or you can use the TRANSPOSE function to rotate the rows and columns.
Here’s how to do it:
Select the range of data you want to rearrange, including any row or column labels, and press Ctrl+C.
Note: Ensure that you copy the data to do this, since using the Cut command or Ctrl+X won’t work.
Choose a new location in the worksheet where you want to paste the transposed table, ensuring that there is plenty of room to paste your data. The new table that you paste there will entirely overwrite any data / formatting that’s already there.
Right-click over the top-left cell of where you want to paste the transposed table, then choose Transpose 
After rotating the data successfully, you can delete the original table and the data in the new table will remain intact.
Tips for transposing your data
If your data includes formulas, Excel automatically updates them to match the new placement. Verify these formulas use absolute references—if they don’t, you can switch between relative, absolute, and mixed references before you rotate the data.
If you want to rotate your data frequently to view it from different angles, consider creating a PivotTable so that you can quickly pivot your data by dragging fields from the Rows area to the Columns area (or vice versa) in the PivotTable Field List.
You can paste data as transposed data within your workbook. Transpose reorients the content of copied cells when pasting. Data in rows is pasted into columns and vice versa.
Here’s how you can transpose cell content:
Copy the cell range.
Select the empty cells where you want to paste the transposed data.
On the Home tab, click the Paste icon, and select Paste Transpose.
Need more help?
You can always ask an expert in the Excel Tech Community or get support in the Answers community.
Источник
How You Can Convert Rows to Columns or Columns to Rows in Excel Workbooks
Do you have some values arranged as rows in your workbook, and do you want to convert text in rows to columns in Excel like this?
In Excel, you can do this manually or automatically in multiple ways depending on your purpose. Read on to get all the details and choose the best solution for yourself.
How to convert rows into columns or columns to rows in Excel – the basic solution
The easiest way to convert rows to columns in Excel is via the Paste Transpose option. Here is how it looks:
- Select and copy the needed range
- Right-click on a cell where you want to convert rows to columns
- Select the Paste Transpose option to rotate rows to columns
As an alternative, you can use the Paste Special option and mark Transpose using its menu.
It works the same if you need to convert columns to rows in Excel.
This is the best way for a one-time conversion of small to medium numbers of rows both in the Excel desktop and online.
Can I convert multiple rows to columns in Excel from another workbook?
The method above will work well if you want to convert rows to columns in Excel between different workbooks using Excel desktop. You need to have both spreadsheets open and do the copying and pasting as described.
However, in Excel Online, this won’t work for different workbooks. The Paste Transpose option is not available.
Therefore, in this case, it’s better to use the TRANSPOSE function.
How to switch rows and columns in Excel in more efficient ways
To switch rows and columns in Excel automatically or dynamically, you can use one of these options:
- Excel TRANSPOSE function
- VBA macro
- Power Query
Let’s check out each of them in the example of a data range that we imported to Excel from a Google Sheets file using Coupler.io.
Coupler.io is an integration solution that synchronizes data between source and destination apps on a regular schedule. For example, you can set up an automatic data export from Google Sheets every day to your Excel workbook.
Check out all the available Excel integrations.
How to change row to column in Excel with TRANSPOSE
TRANSPOSE is the Excel function that allows you to switch rows and columns in Excel. Here is its syntax:
- array – an array of columns or rows to transpose
One of the main benefits of TRANSPOSE is that it links the converted columns/rows with the source rows/columns. So, if the values in the rows change, the same changes will be made in the converted columns.
TRANSPOSE formula to convert multiple rows to columns in Excel desktop
TRANSPOSE is an array formula, which means that you’ll need to select a number of cells in the columns that correspond to the number of cells in the rows to be converted and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
Fortunately, you don’t have to go through this procedure in Excel Online.
TRANSPOSE formula to rotate row to column in Excel Online
You can simply insert your TRANSPOSE formula in a cell and hit enter. The rows will be rotated to columns right away without any additional button combinations.
Excel TRANSPOSE multiple rows in a group to columns between different workbooks
We promised to demonstrate how you can use TRANSPOSE to rotate rows to columns between different workbooks. In Excel Online, you need to do the following:
- Copy a range of columns to rotate from one spreadsheet and paste it as a link to another spreadsheet.
- We need this URL path to use in the TRANSPOSE formula, so copy it.
- The URL path above is for a cell, not for an array. So, you’ll need to slightly update it to an array to use in your TRANSPOSE formula. Here is what it should look like:
You can follow the same logic for rotating rows to columns between workbooks in Excel desktop.
Are there other formulas to convert columns to rows in Excel?
TRANSPOSE is not the only function you can use to change rows to columns in Excel. A combination of INDIRECT and ADDRESS functions can be considered as an alternative, but the flow to convert rows to columns in Excel using this formula is much trickier. Let’s check it out in the following example.
How to convert text in columns to rows in Excel using INDIRECT+ADDRESS
If you have a set of columns with the first cell A1, the following formula will allow you to convert columns to rows in Excel.
But where are the rows, you may ask! Well, first you need to drag this formula down if you are converting multiple columns to rows. Then drag it to the right.
NOTE: This Excel formula only to convert data in columns to rows starting with A1 cell. If your columns start from another cell, check out the next section.
How to convert Excel data in columns to rows using INDIRECT+ADDRESS from other cells
To convert columns to rows in Excel with INDIRECT+ADDRESS formulas from not A1 cell only, use the following formula:
- first_cell – enter the first cell of your columns
Here is an example of how to convert Excel data in columns to rows:
Again, you’ll need to drag the formula down and to the right to populate the rest of the cells.
How to automatically convert rows to columns in Excel VBA
VBA is a superb option if you want to customize some function or functionality. However, this option is only code-based. Below we provide a script that allows you to change rows to columns in Excel automatically.
- Go to the Visual Basic Editor (VBE). Click Alt+F11 or you can go to the Developer tab => Visual Basic.
- In VBE, go to Insert => Module.
- Copy and paste the script into the window. You’ll find the script in the next section.
- Now you can close the VBE. Go to Developer => Macros and you’ll see your RowsToColumns macro. Click Run.
- You’ll be asked to select the array to rotate and the cell to insert the rotated columns.
- There you go!
VBA macro script to convert multiple rows to columns in Excel
Convert rows to column in Excel using Power Query
Power Query is another powerful tool available for Excel users. We wrote a separate Power Query Tutorial, so feel free to check it out.
Meanwhile, you can use Power Query to transpose rows to columns. To do this, go to the Data tab, and create a query from table.
- Then select a range of cells to convert rows to columns in Excel. Click OK to open the Power Query Editor.
- In the Power Query Editor, go to the Transform tab and click Transpose. The rows will be rotated to columns.
- If you want to keep the headers for your columns, click the Use First Row as Headers button.
- That’s it. You can Close & Load your dataset – the rows will be converted to columns.
Error message when trying to convert rows to columns in Excel
To wrap up with converting Excel data in columns to rows, let’s review the typical error messages you can face during the flow.
Overlap error
The overlap error occurs when you’re trying to paste the transposed range into the area of the copied range. Please avoid doing this.
Wrong data type error
You may see this #VALUE! error when you implement the TRANSPOSE formula in Excel desktop without pressing Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
Other errors may be caused by typos or other misprints in the formulas you use to convert groups of data from rows to columns in Excel. Always double-check the syntax before pressing Enter or Ctrl+Shift+Enter 🙂 . Good luck with your data!
Источник
The NON-VBA method:
If you are dealing with a one-off problem, a simple way to handle conversions from columns to rows is by using the INDEX() function. I would suggest using something along the lines of the following in the first destination cells (for where you want «Question1» with «Question2» below it to be placed):
Question1 Destination Cell:
=INDEX($A:$A,COLUMN(A1))
Answer1 Destination Cell:
=INDEX($B:$B,COLUMN(A1))
From there, just copy the equations to the right until you have spanned as many columns as you have rows as this allows your column to row conversion to expand indefinitely to the right.
**This will work as long as your Questions & Answers data is in ColumnA and ColumnB as you specified but can be modified accordingly (using an alternate method for COLUMN(A1) to locate the row you are moving).
AND, if you want your questions and answers to stack after completing a set of 5 columns as you show above, set it up like this:
Question1 Destination Cell:
=INDEX($A:$A,COLUMN(A1))
Answer1 Destination Cell:
=INDEX($B:$B,COLUMN(A1))
Answer6 Destination Cell:
=INDEX($B:$B,MATCH([non-locked cell address of Answer1],$B:$B,0)+5)
From there, copy those three cells over to span 5 columns to the right. AND THEN, to expand downward, only copy the row of calculations that starts with Answer6 and paste those down the sheet to cover however many rows you have in ColumnA and ColumnB.
This method will produce this result:
Question1 Question2 Question3 Question4 Question5
Answer1 Answer2 Answer3 Answer4 Answer5
Answer6 Answer7 Answer8 Answer9 Answer10
Cheers.





























