Excel provides a couple of ways to insert rows and columns, including keyboard shortcuts and Insert commands. Before you add a new row or column, it's important to understand where Excel positions these insertions, as this affects the row or column you select to place a new one. For example:
- A new row always inserts above the row you select.
- A new column always inserts to the left of the column you select.
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Use a Keyboard Command
Excel has a keyboard command that allows you to add a row or column to a worksheet. Select the number at the beginning of the row or the letter of the top of the column to highlight it. Hold down the Ctrl key and press the + key on the number keypad.
Use the Insert Button
Add a Row
Select the number of the row in the worksheet that appears above where you'll insert the new row. This highlights the entire row.
![Select the row number to highlight all the row.](https://img.techwallacdn.com/375/ppds/4f1d159b-d106-41b7-bb68-d5f9a7b557f6.png)
Open the Home tab and select the Insert button in the Cells area. Or, select the arrow on the Insert button and select Insert Sheet Rows.
![Select the Insert button to add a row.](https://img.techwallacdn.com/375/ppds/f88f5559-558e-4962-9fc9-1ddfa6464b9a.png)
The new row inserts, and the row numbers reorder.
Add a Column
Select the letter of the column to the right of the position where you will insert the new column. This highlights the entire column.
![Select the column's letter to highlight the whole column.](https://img.techwallacdn.com/375/ppds/bba00ba5-3a91-4d59-8466-ca4481a62737.png)
On the Home tab, select the Insert button. Or, select the arrow on the Insert button and use Insert Sheet Columns.
![Select Insert to add a new column.](https://img.techwallacdn.com/375/ppds/8a4d256d-594d-47a4-ace9-3f52a911e154.png)
The new column appears, and the column letters reorder.
Add a Row or Column From a Cell
Excel also allows you to insert a row or column from a cell in the worksheet. Select the cell above where you want the new row to go, or any cell in the column to the right of a new column's location. Right-click the cell to open the Cell Context Menu. Select Insert.
![Select Insert to open a row or column insert function.](https://img.techwallacdn.com/375/ppds/8b452f4c-b06a-4818-8a32-8a50016e417f.png)
Check the Entire Row or Entire Column button and select OK to add the new row or column.
![Select Entire Row or Column to add a row or column to the worksheet.](https://img.techwallacdn.com/375/ppds/cf095f3f-8686-41c7-99f0-d322b8abf400.png)