Transposing flips an Excel range so rows become columns and columns become rows. Use Paste Special for a one-time static copy, or the TRANSPOSE function when the flipped result should stay linked to the source.
Does this affect you?
Use this for Excel for Microsoft 365, Excel 2021, and Excel 2019 on Windows or Mac when a layout is sideways from what you need and retyping is not practical.
Use Paste Special > Transpose
This creates a static flipped copy.
- Select the range to flip and copy it.
- Click an empty destination cell away from the source range.
- Right-click and choose Paste Special.
- Check Transpose and click OK.
- If needed, delete the original range after confirming the new layout.
You cannot paste the transposed result directly over the cells you copied. Paste somewhere empty first, then move it if needed.
Use the TRANSPOSE function
Use this when source changes should update the flipped result.
- Choose an empty destination area.
- In Microsoft 365, enter =TRANSPOSE(A1:E3), using your source range, and press Enter.
- In Excel 2019 or older, select the exact destination size first, type the formula, and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
- Edit a source value to confirm the transposed result updates.
More control
Preserve formatting
After Paste Special > Transpose, use the clipboard paste options and choose Keep Source Formatting if number formats, colors, or borders did not come across the way you wanted.
Fix old array formula errors
In older Excel, the selected destination range must match the flipped dimensions exactly. A 3-by-5 source needs a 5-by-3 destination.
Fix #SPILL
In Microsoft 365, TRANSPOSE spills into neighboring cells. Clear anything blocking the spill area or move the formula to a larger empty space.
Convert formulas to values
If you used TRANSPOSE but now need an independent copy, copy the spilled result and use Paste Special > Values.
Sources
- Microsoft Support – Rotate (transpose) data from rows to columns or vice versa (2025)
- Microsoft Support – TRANSPOSE function (2025)
- Microsoft Support – Copy and paste specific cell content or attributes (2025)