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After entering data in a worksheet, I decided to switch the location of the headers contained in row 1 and column 1. The old, slow way to accomplish that might involve clicking and dragging data or even starting over. Excel has a much better option - transpose the data.

Below is my worksheet as originally set up.

However, after looking at the data, I wished that I had organized it differently; as below.

Step One - Copy the entire range of data, including the headers in row 1 and column 1.

Step Two - Select the cell where you want to move the data. In my example I clicked into cell A8 to select that cell as the place where I wanted the data to begin.

Step Three - Click on the down arrow under the Paste button on the Home tab, and select Paste Special.

Step Three (continued) - Click into the box beside Transpose and then click on the OK button.

The data, as seen below, has been rearranged with a minimum of effort. Thanks Excel!

This procedure is all about changing the look of the data. Perhaps you are thinking that I might have transposed the data in order to change the look of a chart produced from the data. The chart below was produced from the original data and then the transposed data. The two charts look exactly the same. Try it! You will see.

If my intention was to change the headings on the X-axis, that must be accomplished differently. Right-click in the white area of the chart and choose Select Data. In the Select Data Source box, choose Switch Row/Column, as the thumbnail shows below.

 

If you have questions about this feature of Excel, or any other feature for that matter, please write to either of the co-founders os Internet4Classrooms. Our email addresses can be seen at the bottom of this page.

Internet4Classrooms is a collaborative project developed by Susan Brooks and Bill Byles