Rotate Data Tables (Row to Column) in Excel & Google Sheets

Written by

Editorial Team

Reviewed by

Laura Tsitlidze

Last updated on August 18, 2023

This tutorial demonstrates how to rotate data tables in Excel and Google Sheets.

switch rows columns 2

 

Transpose Rows to Columns

Excel allows you to rotate data rows and columns by using copy-paste transpose. To be transposed, data must first be formatted as normal range. So, if you want to transpose an Excel table, you’ll need to convert it to a range first. Say you have the following data in Excel.

transpose rows columns initial data

 

  1. To switch rows and columns, first select all data (B2:G16), then right-click anywhere in the selected area and choose Copy (or use the keyboard shortcut CTRL + C).

copy data table

 

  1. Now right-click in the cell where you want the data to be pasted. This can be in the same sheet, another sheet, or in the new workbook. In this case, choose B2 in another sheet.
    Next, click on the arrow beside Paste Special, and choose the transpose icon.

paste table transpose

 

As a result, the table’s rows and columns are switched; now SKU, Product, Month, Sales Amount, Price, and Total Sales are row headings instead of column headings.

data table transposed 2

 

Transpose Rows to Columns in Google Sheets

Rotating a table in Google Sheets works in much the same way.

  1. First, select all data (B2:G16), then right-click anywhere in the selected area and choose Copy (or use the keyboard shortcut CTRL + C).

google sheets copy data

 

  1. Now right-click in the cell where you want the data to be pasted. Then click Paste Special > Paste transposed.

google sheets paste transposed

 

You get the same result as in Excel; columns and rows are transposed.

google sheets transposed data 2

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