Inserting a Row or Column

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated July 21, 2018)
This tip applies to Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003


5

Inserting a blank row or column in your worksheet (between two rows or columns currently in use) is very easy in Excel. All you need to do is select the row or column that you want the new row or column to appear before. You then need to choose Columns from the Insert menu (to insert a column) or Rows from the Insert menu (to insert a row). Excel adjusts your worksheet so the new column or row appears as directed.

If you prefer to not use the menus or the mouse, you can use a keyboard shortcut to insert a row or column. All you need to do is select the row or column that you want the new row or column to appear before. Then, press Ctrl++ (that's Ctrl and the plus sign at the same time). Excel adjusts your worksheet so the new column or row appears as directed.

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (1926) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Summing Every Fourth Cell in a Row

Need to sum a series of cells that fits some regular pattern? Here are several ways that you can get the summation that ...

Discover More

Using Classic PivotTable Layout as the Default

Are you attached to the classic PivotTable layout? Looking for a way to make that layout the default for new PivotTables? ...

Discover More

Extracting Numbers within a Range

If you have a large number of values in a column, you may want to move the values that meet specific criteria to another ...

Discover More

Excel Smarts for Beginners! Featuring the friendly and trusted For Dummies style, this popular guide shows beginners how to get up and running with Excel while also helping more experienced users get comfortable with the newest features. Check out Excel 2013 For Dummies today!

More ExcelTips (menu)

Default Cell Movement when Deleting

Delete a cell or a range of cells, and Excel needs to figure out how to rearrange the void left by the deletion. You can ...

Discover More

Checking for an Entry in a Cell

You may be looking for a way to have a formula determine if a particular cell has anything in it. Here's how you can find ...

Discover More

Editing Individual Cells

Need to edit the data within a cell? There are any number of ways you can perform the edit; this tip documents them all.

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is nine minus 5?

2020-04-26 07:55:15

Willy Vanhaelen

You can also move (a) column(s) or row(s) with the keyboard.
- Select the column(s) row(s) you want to move and press Ctrl + X.
- Select the column or row you want to appear it/them to appear before and press Ctrl+ +.


2020-04-26 04:37:25

Štefan Masič

Dear Sirs!

It is also useful hint for deleting the row or column. For deleting I use shotrcut Ctrl + -.

Best regards, Štefan


2020-04-25 16:17:21

John Mann

I select the row belo or column to the right of where the new row or column is required, then right click and choose insert from the contect menu. Selecting 2 or more rows (clumns) at the same time results in 2 or more rows(clumns) being inserted.


2018-07-23 13:58:48

Ray Austin

In my XL 2003 "Alt Insert Row or Col "works fine
but nothing happens with "Control ++"

??


2018-07-21 14:23:56

Richard Wood

I'm surprised you didn't suggest adding the insert row and column icons to the main toolbar. I find it really handy to have them right in front of me whenever I want (which is pretty often). The insert row tool in particular is one that I probably use more than just about any other. They also really simplify moving or copying rows to new locations as well.

Love your tips. Keep up the great work.
Woody


This Site

Got a version of Excel that uses the menu interface (Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, or Excel 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.

Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.