To investigate the effect of long non-coding RNA activated by TGF-β(LncRNAATB) on the migration and invasion of human colorectal cancer cells and the underlying mechanism. Methods The efficiency of LncRNA-ATB shRNA and pcDNA3.1-LncRNA-ATB, and the expressions of LncRNA-ATB and IL-11 mRNA were detected by quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR). The effect of LncRNA-ATB on migration and invasion abilities of colorectal cells were analyzed by cell migration and cell invasion assays.The binding ability of LncRNA-ATB and IL-11 mRNA was analyzed by RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP). The expression of IL-11 protein was analyzed by ELISA. Results The expression of LncRNA-ATB in the colorectal cells was higher than that in the normal human colon epithelial cells. LncRNA-ATB expression in the HT29 cells could be effectively silenced by LncRNA-ATB shRNA and LncRNA-ATB expression in the SW620 cells could be efficiently upregulated by pcDNA3.1-LncRNA-ATB. LncRNA-ATB could significantly promote the migration and invasion of colorectal cells. Binding to IL-11 mRNA, LncRNA-ATB could upregulate IL-11mRNA expression, enhance the mRNA stability of IL-11 and promote its secretion in colorectal cancer cells. Conclusions LncRNA-ATB may play an important role in the migration and invasion of colorectal cells by enhancing the secretion of IL-11.