3 Simple Ways to Name a Column in Microsoft Excel

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Easy ways to title, label, or name columns in Microsoft Excel

Written by Rain Kengly

Last Updated: February 26, 2024 Fact Checked

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Adding Column Headers

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Changing Column Names to Numbers

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Using Power Query

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Video

You can create a column title in Microsoft Excel by inserting a new row at the top. Once it's created, you'll just need to double-click the cell and type in your label. Here's how to name a column in Excel.

Quick Steps

Click a row number to highlight the entire row.
Right-click the first cell and click Insert .
Double-click the new cell and enter a name.
Press Tab to enter a name for the next cell.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Adding Column Headers

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1
Open a workbook in Microsoft Excel . You can use an existing project or create a new spreadsheet . Make sure you're on the correct worksheet.
- Microsoft Excel is available on Windows and Mac . You can also use the online web version at https://www.office.com/ .
2
Insert a new row for the names. If you want it at the very top of the page, click 1 on the left side of the spreadsheet to highlight the entire first row. Right-click the first cell, and click Insert . This will place a blank row above your data. ^{[1]
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- If you want the new row in another location, select the row number of the location. Right-click the first cell, and click Insert .
- If you already have a row for the names, skip to the next step.
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This will be the title of the first column.
4
Double-click the next cell and enter a name. You can also press Tab to skip to the next cell in the column. Repeat this for any remaining title cells.
- If you only have one column to name, skip this step.
- The headers at the top (letters A-Z) will not change since these are Excel’s way of keeping track of information within your document. However, when you type in a name for column A1, that will become the name for the rest of the “A” column.
- If you want to see the titles as you scroll down, do the following:
  - Click View at the top.
  - Click Freeze Panes .
  - Click Freeze Top Row .

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Changing Column Names to Numbers

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1
Open Microsoft Excel. You can use an existing project or create a new spreadsheet.
- Use this method if you want to turn the column names (letters A-Z) into numbers instead.
2
Select File and click Options . This will be at the bottom of the left panel.
- On Mac, you'll need to click Excel and then Preferences .
3
Click Formulas . This is in the left panel.
- On Mac, click General .
This is underneath the Working with formulas header.
5
Click OK . This is at the bottom-right corner of the window.
- The header columns will change from letters to numbers.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Power Query

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Power Query is an add-on you can use in Excel. This allows you to import data through other sources. ^{[2]
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You can do this by using a previously loaded query in the Editor, or you can click a cell in the data, select Query , then click Edit .
It will be highlighted.
4
Double-click the column header. This will allow you to rename it.
- You can also select Transform , then Rename at the top.
5
Enter the new column name. This will name the header.
- Keep in mind that renaming a column header won't rename the original data source header. If the original data source header changes, it can cause query errors.