How to convert multiple rows and columns to columns and rows in Excel

Summary

When you use the Microsoft Excel products listed at the end of this article, you can use a worksheet formula to convert data that spans multiple rows and columns to a database format (columnar).

More Information

The following example converts every four rows of data in a column to four columns of data in a single row (similar to a database field and record layout). This example is similar to the scenario you experience when you open a worksheet or text file that contains data in a mailing label format.

Example

1. In a new worksheet, type the following data:

   A1: Smith, John
   A2: 111 Pine St.
   A3: San Diego, CA
   A4: (555) 128-549
   A5: Jones, Sue
   A6: 222 Oak Ln.
   A7: New York, NY
   A8: (555) 238-1845
   A9: Anderson, Tom
   A10: 333 Cherry Ave.
   A11: Chicago, IL
   A12: (555) 581-4914

2. Type the following formula in cell C1:

   =OFFSET($A$1,(ROW()-1)*4+INT((COLUMN()-3)),MOD(COLUMN()-3,1))

3. Fill this formula across to column F, and then down to row 3.

4. Adjust the column sizes as necessary. The data now displays in cells C1 through F3 as follows:

   	C	D	E	F
   1	Smith, John	111 Pine St.	San Diego, CA	(555) 128-549
   2	Jones, Sue	222 Oak Ln.	New York, NY	(555) 238-1845
   3	Anderson, Tom	333 Cherry Ave.	Chicago, IL	(555) 581-4914

The formula can be interpreted as

OFFSET($A$1,(ROW()-f_row)*rows_in_set+INT((COLUMN()-f_col)/col_in_set), MOD(COLUMN()-f_col,col_in_set))

where:

• f_row = row number of this offset formula
• f_col = column number of this offset formula
• rows_in_set = number of rows that make one record of data
• col_in_set = number of columns of data