Excel insert sheet rows

Creating new tables, reports and pricelists of different types, we cannot predict the number of necessary rows and columns. Using Excel program implies to a great extent creating and setting up spreadsheets, which requires inserting and deleting different elements.

First, let’s consider the methods of inserting sheet rows and columns when creating spreadsheets.

Note that in this tutorial we indicate hot keys for adding or deleting rows and columns. They should be used after highlighting the whole row or column. To highlight the row where the cursor is placed, press the combination of hot keys: SHIFT+SPACEBAR. Hot keys for highlighting a column are CTRL+SPACEBAR.



How to insert a column between other columns?

Assuming you have a pricelist lacking line item numbering:

To insert a column between other columns for filling in pricelist items numbering you can use one of the two ways:

1. Move the cursor to activate A1 cell. Then go to tab «HOME», tool section «Cells» and click «Insert», in the popup menu select «Insert Sheet Columns» option.



2. Right-click the heading of column A. Select «Insert» option on the shortcut menu.



3. Select the column, and press the hotkey combination CTRL+SHIFT+PLUS.

Now you can type the numbers of pricelist line items.

Simultaneous insertion of several columns

The pricelist still lacks two columns: quantity and units (items, kilograms, liters, packs). To add simultaneously, highlight the two-cell range (C1:D1). Then use the same tool on the «Insert»-«Insert Sheet Columns» main tab.

Alternatively, highlight two headings of columns C and D, right-click and select «Insert» option.

Note. Columns are always added to the left side. There appear as many new columns as many old ones have been highlighted. The order of inserted also depends on the order of highlighting. For example, next but one etc.



How to insert a row between rows in Excel?

Now let’s add a heading and a new goods line item «All for the garden» to the pricelist. To this end, let’s insert two new rows simultaneously.

Highlight the nonadjacent range of two cells A1,A4 (note that character “,” is used instead of character “:” – it means that two nonadjacent ranges should be highlighted; to make sure, type A1; A4 in the name field and press Enter). You know from the previous tutorials how to highlight nonadjacent ranges.

Now once again use the tool «HOME»-«Insert»-«Insert Sheet Columns». The picture shows how to insert a blank row between other rows in Excel.

It is easy to guess the second way. You need to highlight headings of rows 1 and 3, right-click on one of the highlighted rows and select «Insert» option.

To add a row or a column in Excel use hot keys CTRL+SHIFT+PLUS having highlighted the appropriate row or column.

Note. New rows are always added above the highlighted rows.

Deleting rows and columns

When working with Excel you need to delete rows and columns as often as to insert them. Therefore, you have to practice.

By way of illustration, let’s delete from our pricelist the numbering of goods line items and the unit column simultaneously.

Highlight the nonadjacent range of cells A1; D1 and select «HOME»-«Delete»-«Delete Sheet Rows». The shortcut menu can also be used for deleting if you highlight headings A1 and D1 instead of cells.

Row deleting is performed in the similar way. You only need to select a tool in the appropriate menu. Applying a shortcut menu is the same. You only have to highlight the rows correspondingly by row numbers.

To delete a row or a column in Excel, use hot keys CTRL+MINUS having preliminary highlighted them.

Note. Inserting new columns and rows is in fact substitution, as the number of rows (1 048 576) and columns (16 384) doesn’t change. The new just replace the old ones. You should consider this fact when filling in the sheet with data by more than 50% — 80%.

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When you need a new sheet row in Excel, how do you handle it? Instead of completely re-arranging all of the data, it’s better to use Excel’s features to insert new areas to work with.

In this tutorial, you’ll learn to insert sheet rows in Excel. This will help give you new space to work with without creating a complete redesign.

Remember that rows are the horizontal areas that you see in Excel, each of which has a unique number. Rows and columns (shown with letters at the top of Excel) intersect and create cells.

When you need a new row, right-click on a row and choose Insert. This will add a new row above the one you selected.

As you can see, the spreadsheet adapts by moving everything else down a single row. No matter how large your spreadsheet is, Excel will handle rewriting the the formula references so that the spreadsheet works normally.

Insert Multiple Sheet Rows in Excel

Let’s say that you need more than a single row added to your spreadsheet. Maybe you’re completely redesigning the structure of your workbook and need much more room to work. In that case, it helps to know how to insert multiple sheet rows with one swift command.

The approach is similar. In this case, we’re going to highlight as many rows as we wish to add. In the example below, notice that we start by highlighting two rows, rows 8 and 9. Then, I’ll use the right-click Insert menu to add new rows. Two new rows are added, and all other content shifts accordingly.

That’s all there is to it: highlight the number of rows you need to add, then right-click and choose Insert. Excel reshuffles your workbook, shifting the cells down so that you have the new space you need to work within.

In the last few decades, Microsoft has grown by leaps and bounds and so are its fabulous products. Microsoft Excel is one such product that has grown immensely. It has wonderful features and options to make your tasks easier. But one feature that it lacks is the ability to insert multiple rows. The default insert option that Excel has allows you to insert only one row at a time.

This can be very annoying in cases where you have to insert multiple rows in your spreadsheet. And this is what I am going to write today. In this post, I will present a few ways which allow you to insert multiple rows.

Method 1 – By making use of the repeat functionality of excel:

This is the simplest way to insert multiple rows in your excel spreadsheet. In this method, we will first add one row manually to the excel sheet then repeat that action multiple times. Follow the below steps to use this method:

• Open your spreadsheet, and first of all insert one row to your excel sheet manually.
• Then simply repeatedly press the “F4” key on your keyboard, till the required number of rows are inserted.
• This will repeat your last action and the rows will be added.

Method 2 – By using the insert functionality:

In this method, we will use a hidden feature that excel offers to insert multiple rows to your sheet. Follow the below steps to use this method:

• Open your spreadsheet and select the number of rows that you want to insert to your sheet. It doesn’t matter if the rows are empty but they must include the place where you want to perform the insert.

• Now simply right-click anywhere in the previously selected range and select the ‘Insert’ option.
• Now excel will ask you whether to shift the cells down or shift them to right. Select the option ‘Shift Cells Down’ and multiple cells will be inserted in the location.

Method 3 – By using the insert copied cells functionality:

In this method, we are going to take the advantage of the “Insert Copied Cells” functionality that excel has. Follow the below steps to use this method:

• First of all select multiple rows in your spreadsheet, by multiple I mean they should be equal to the number of rows that you want to insert.
• Next, copy these rows and scroll to the place where you want to insert multiple rows.

• Right-click and select the option ‘Insert Copied Cells’ and this will insert multiple rows at that place.

Method 4 – Programmatically inserting multiple rows in excel:

Although this method is a bit complex than the first three, still this can be used if you are more inclined towards the coding side. Follow the below steps to use this method:

• Navigate to the ‘View’ tab on the top ribbon, click on the ‘Macros’ button.
• Now type the name for the macro say “Insert_Lines” (without quotes) and hit the create button.
• Next, a VBA editor will be opened, simply paste the below macro code after the first line.

Sub Insert_Lines()
Dim CurrentSheet As Object
' Loop through all selected sheets.
For Each CurrentSheet In ActiveWindow.SelectedSheets
' Insert 5 rows at top of each sheet.
CurrentSheet.Range("A20:A69").EntireRow.Insert
Next CurrentSheet
End Sub

• Now comes the important thing, in the above macro the range is (“A20:A69”). The first parameter i.e. A20 tells the position from where you wish to insert the rows and the second parameter .i.e. A69 is the number of rows to be inserted added with the start position and subtracted by 1 (for instance: If you want to insert 50 rows starting from A20 then the second parameter of the range should be (50+20-1), so the range will be (“A20:A69”))
• After adding the code you can press the “F5” key and the code will insert the required rows.
• This macro is referenced from the Microsoft article: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/291305

So, these were the few methods to insert multiple rows in excel. If you know some other ways then feel free to comment below.

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How to insert a single row in a worksheet using Excel, VBA and Shortcut methods

METHOD 1. Insert a row by selecting an entire row

EXCEL

Select an entire row > Right-click anywhere on the selected row > Click Insert

1. Select an entire row where you want to insert a new row. Note: in this example we are inserting a new row as a second row. To select an entire row, click either on the row heading number or select the first cell of the row, press and hold the Ctrl and Shift keys and press the Right key.

2. Right-click anywhere on the selected row and click Insert.

METHOD 2. Insert a row using the ribbon option

EXCEL

Select a cell in the row where you want to insert a new row > Home tab > Cells group > Insert > Insert Sheet Rows

1. Select any cell in the same row where you want to insert a new row. Note: in this example a new row will be inserted as row 2, given we have selected a cell in the second row.

2. Select the Home tab.

3. Click Insert in the Cells group. 4. Click Insert Sheet Rows.

METHOD 3. Insert a row using the cell option

EXCEL

Right-click on a cell in the row where you want to insert a new row > Insert > Entire row > OK

1. Right-click on any cell in the row where you want to insert a new row. 2. Click Insert Note: in this example a new row will be inserted as row 2, given we have right-clicked on a cell in the second row.

3. Select the Entire row option and click OK group.

METHOD 1. Insert a row using VBA by selecting a single cell

VBA

Sub Insert_a_Row()

‘insert a new row as row 2
Worksheets(«Sheet1»).Range(«A2»).EntireRow.Insert

End Sub

OBJECTS
Worksheets: The Worksheets object represents all of the worksheets in a workbook, excluding chart sheets.

ADJUSTABLE PARAMETERS
Row Selection: Select where you want to insert a new row by changing the row number in the cell reference («A2»). You can also change the column reference to any column as this will have no impact on where the row will be inserted.
Worksheet Selection: Select the worksheet where you want to insert a new row by changing the Sheet1 worksheet name.

METHOD 2. Insert a row using VBA by selecting a range of cells

VBA

Sub Insert_a_Row()

‘insert a new row as row 2
Worksheets(«Sheet1»).Range(«A2:D2»).EntireRow.Insert

End Sub

OBJECTS
Worksheets: The Worksheets object represents all of the worksheets in a workbook, excluding chart sheets.

ADJUSTABLE PARAMETERS
Row Selection: Select where you want to insert a new row by changing the row number reference («A2:D2»). You can also change the column reference to any column as this will have no impact on where the row will be inserted.
Worksheet Selection: Select the worksheet where you want to insert a new row by changing the Sheet1 worksheet name.

METHOD 3. Insert a row using VBA by selecting an entire row

VBA

Sub Insert_a_Row()

‘insert a new row as Row 2
Worksheets(«Sheet1»).Range(«2:2»).EntireRow.Insert

End Sub

OBJECTS
Worksheets: The Worksheets object represents all of the worksheets in a workbook, excluding chart sheets.

ADJUSTABLE PARAMETERS
Row Selection: Select where you want to insert a new row by changing the row number reference («2:2»).
Worksheet Selection: Select the worksheet where you want to insert a new row by changing the Sheet1 worksheet name.

Insert a row using a Shortcut

SHORTCUT

WINDOWS SHORTCUT
Method 1

Method 2

NOTES

To insert a row using these shortcut methods you will need to select an entire row. If you select a single cell or a range of cells and action this shortcut an Insert dialog box will appear and you will need to select Entire row and click OK.

The Plus Sign key in the first method refers to the key on the top of the keyboard. The Plus Sign key in the second method refers to the key to the right of the keyboard, which some devices will not have. The reason why the first method requires the use of the Shift key is because the Plus Sign key is used for both Plus and Equal Signs, therefore, to activate the Plus Sign you are required to use the Shift key.

Explanation about how to insert a row

EXPLANATION

EXPLANATION
This tutorial explains and provides step by step instructions on how to insert a single row in a worksheet using Excel, VBA and Shortcut methods.

Excel Methods: Using Excel you can insert a new row by selecting an entire row or a single cell and using a ribbon or cell option.

VBA Methods: Using VBA you can insert a new row by referencing to a single cell, a range of cells or an entire row. If you want to insert a single row by referencing to a range of cells you need to ensure that the range of cells only references to a single row. As per the example in this tutorial the VBA code references to only row 2 across multiple columns («A2:D2»).

Shortcut Methods: Using a Shortcut you can instantly insert a new row by selecting the entire row where you want to insert a new row and actioning the shortcut.

ADDITIONAL NOTES
Note 1: Inserting a new row will move the existing rows that are below the new row downward. In this this tutorial every row below row 2 will be moved down.
Note 2: If the last row in a worksheet has a cell that is not empty, you will not be able to insert a new row. To insert a row you will need to ensure that every cell in the last row is clear of any content.

Related Topic	Description	Related Topic and Description
Insert a column	How to insert a single column in a worksheet using Excel, VBA and Shortcut methods
Delete a column	How to delete a single column in a worksheet using Excel, VBA and Shortcut methods
Delete multiple columns	How to delete multiple columns in a worksheet using Excel, VBA and Shortcut methods
Insert multiple columns	How to insert multiple columns in a worksheet using Excel, VBA and Shortcut methods
Insert multiple rows	How to insert multiple rows in a worksheet using Excel, VBA and Shortcut methods

This tutorial demonstrates how to insert multiple rows and columns in Excel and Google Sheets.

By selecting multiple rows or columns in Excel, you can quickly insert several new blank rows or columns. This tutorial covers how to insert cells with the right mouse button or the Excel Ribbon. To learn how to use VBA to insert cells, see VBA Insert Row or Column.

Insert Multiple Adjacent Rows

To insert multiple adjacent blank rows into a worksheet, select the number of rows you wish to insert into your worksheet at the position where you wish to insert the rows. The rows selected are moved down by the selected number of blank rows inserted. (e.g., existing Row 4 becomes Row 7).

Option 1: Right-click on the row headers to obtain the Quick Menu and click Insert.

Option 2: In the Ribbon, select Home > Cells > Insert > Insert Sheet Rows.

Option 3: To use a keyboard shortcut, press CTRL + + (Ctrl–plus sign).

Three additional rows are quickly inserted into to the worksheet all at once.

Inserting Multiple Non-Adjacent Rows

To insert multiple non-adjacent blank rows into a worksheet, select the first row you where you wish your new row to be inserted by clicking on the row selector, and then, holding down the CTRL key, select the next non-adjacent row.

You can then use the methods above (quick menu insert; insert sheet rows; or Ctrl-plus) to insert non-adjacent rows into your worksheet.

Inserting Multiple Adjacent Columns

To insert multiple blank columns into your worksheet, select the number of columns you wish to insert into your worksheet at the position where you wish to insert columns. The columns selected are moved to the right.

Option 1: Right-click on the row headers to obtain the Quick Menu and then click Insert.

Option 2: In the Ribbon, select Home > Cells > Insert > Insert Sheet Columns.

Option 3: To use a keyboard shortcut, press CTRL + +.

Three additional columns are quickly inserted into your worksheet all at once.

Inserting Multiple Non-Adjacent Columns

To insert multiple non-adjacent blank columns into a worksheet, select the first column you where you wish your new column to be inserted by clicking on the row selector, and then, holding down the CTRL key, select the next non-adjacent column.

You can then use the methods above (quick menu insert; insert sheet rows; or Ctrl-plus) to insert non-adjacent columns into your worksheet.

Insert Cells in Google Sheets

You can use the right-click option in Google Sheets to quickly insert rows or columns into your sheet as well.

Insert Multiple Rows

Select the rows where you wish to insert the extra rows into your sheet.

Option 1: Right-click on the row headers.

Option 2: In the Menu, select Insert.

In both instances, you are given the options to insert the new blank rows either above or below the selected rows. Select an option, and rows are quickly inserted into your worksheet.

Insert Multiple Columns

You can insert multiple columns in the same way, either by right-clicking on the column headers, or by using the Insert option on the Menu.

Select the columns where you wish the new columns to be inserted.

Option 1: Right-click on the column headers.

Option 2: In the Menu, select Insert.

As with inserting rows, in both instances, you are given the option to insert the same number of columns as the number of columns you have selected to either the left or right of the selected columns.