15 Keyboard Shortcuts For Inserting Rows And Columns In Excel

by Jacky Chou
Updated on

Key Takeaway:

  • Using keyboard shortcuts can greatly improve efficiency while working with Excel, saving time and effort
  • 15 keyboard shortcuts for inserting rows in Excel include adding a new row, inserting multiple rows, inserting an entire row, and inserting a row above or below a selected cell
  • 15 keyboard shortcuts for inserting columns in Excel include adding a new column, inserting multiple columns, inserting an entire column, and inserting a column to the left or right of a selected cell

Are you tired of endlessly clicking and scrolling through Excel to add rows and columns? Take control of your spreadsheet with these 15 keyboard shortcuts. You can quickly and easily insert rows and columns with these simple keystrokes.

Keyboard shortcuts for inserting rows and columns in Excel

Inserting rows and columns in Excel can be time-consuming without the proper keyboard shortcuts. With the help of these shortcuts, you can make this task quick and effortless. Here’s a guide on how to use keyboard shortcuts for inserting rows and columns in Excel.

  1. To insert a row, select the row below where you want to insert the new row and press ‘Ctrl’ + ‘Shift’ + ‘+’. Alternatively, you can select the row and right-click, then select ‘Insert’ from the dropdown menu.
  2. To insert a column, select the column adjacent to where you want to insert the new column and press ‘Ctrl’ + ‘Shift’ + ‘+’. Alternatively, you can select the column and right-click, then select ‘Insert’ from the dropdown menu.
  3. To insert multiple rows or columns, first, select the number of rows/columns you want to insert and then use either of the above shortcuts.
  4. To insert a row or column with the keyboard shortcut and immediately start inputting data, simply press ‘Tab’ or ‘Enter’ after inserting the new row or column.
  5. To insert a row or column and copy the formatting of the row or column above or to the left of it, press ‘Ctrl’ + ‘Shift’ + ‘+’. Then press ‘Ctrl’ + ‘D’ or ‘Ctrl’ + ‘R’ to copy the formatting of the previous row or column respectively.

One unique detail about these shortcuts is that they can also be used to delete rows and columns. Instead of pressing ‘Ctrl’ + ‘Shift’ + ‘+’, press ‘Ctrl’ + ‘minus sign (-)’ to delete the selected row or column.

To make inserting rows and columns even easier, consider customizing your Excel ribbon to include the ‘Insert’ shortcut in your quick access toolbar. Simply right-click on the toolbar and select ‘Customize Quick Access Toolbar’, then choose ‘Insert’ from the dropdown menu. This will save you even more time and effort when working with Excel spreadsheets.

Overall, these keyboard shortcuts can significantly improve your efficiency when working with Excel and make it easier than ever to insert rows and columns quickly. With practice, you’ll be able to perform these tasks at lightning speed. Additionally, if you want to learn how to lock or unlock a cell in Excel for Mac, check out our guide on that topic.

Keyboard shortcuts for inserting rows and columns in Excel-15 Keyboard Shortcuts for Inserting Rows and Columns in Excel,

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15 Keyboard shortcuts for inserting rows in Excel

Microsoft Excel offers various keyboard shortcuts to save time and enhance productivity. Here are some efficient tricks to insert rows and columns instantly in Excel:

  1. Press ‘Ctrl‘ + ‘+‘ to add a new row or column.
  2. Use ‘Ctrl‘ + ‘Shift‘ + ‘+‘ to insert a new row or column.
  3. To add multiple rows, select the required number of rows, and use the same shortcut.
  4. Alt‘ + ‘I‘ + ‘R‘ is another way to insert a row.
  5. Shortcut for adding a column is ‘Ctrl‘ + ‘Space‘.
  6. Use ‘Ctrl‘ + ‘Shift‘ + ‘Space‘ to select the entire column.

It’s worth knowing that inserting rows with formulas may change the existing formulas, so be careful while doing so.

In Excel for Mac, use ‘Fn‘ + ‘Shift‘ + ‘F11‘ to add a new worksheet and ‘Fn‘ + ‘F11‘ to unlock a cell.

Fun Fact – Applying a password to an Excel file can secure the data of the sheet. According to a survey by Cybersecurity Insiders, 43% of companies have faced an Excel-related data breach.

15 Keyboard shortcuts for inserting rows in Excel-15 Keyboard Shortcuts for Inserting Rows and Columns in Excel,

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15 Keyboard Shortcuts for Inserting Columns in Excel

Inserting columns in Excel is made easy with these keyboard shortcuts. Here’s how to do it in a quick and efficient way:

  1. To insert a new column to the right of the selected column, use the shortcut “Ctrl + Shift + +“.
  2. To insert multiple columns at once, select the number of columns you want to insert, and use the same shortcut mentioned above.
  3. To copy the selected column and insert it to the right, use the shortcut “Ctrl + D“.

It’s important to note that these shortcuts can save a significant amount of time and effort, especially when working with large data sets. They can also be customized to suit individual needs.

Make sure to practice and master these shortcuts to streamline your workflow and boost your productivity. Don’t miss out on the benefits of these keyboard shortcuts! Start using them today to take your Excel proficiency to the next level. And for more tips on Excel functions, check out our article on “How to Lock or Unlock a Cell in Excel for Mac.”

15 Keyboard Shortcuts for Inserting Columns in Excel-15 Keyboard Shortcuts for Inserting Rows and Columns in Excel,

Image credits: chouprojects.com by David Duncun

Five Facts About 15 Keyboard Shortcuts for Inserting Rows and Columns in Excel:

  • ✅ Pressing “CTRL” + “SHIFT” + “+” will insert a new row or column based on the current selection.
  • ✅ Pressing “CTRL” + “SHIFT” + “F” will open the Insert dialog box for rows and columns.
  • ✅ Pressing “CTRL” + “SPACE” will select the entire column.
  • ✅ Pressing “SHIFT” + “SPACE” will select the entire row.
  • ✅ Pressing “CTRL” + “Z” will undo the last action, including inserting a row or column.

FAQs about 15 Keyboard Shortcuts For Inserting Rows And Columns In Excel

What are the 15 Keyboard Shortcuts for Inserting Rows and Columns in Excel?

Here are the 15 keyboard shortcuts for inserting rows and columns in Excel:

  • Insert entire row: Ctrl + Shift + =
  • Insert entire column: Ctrl + Spacebar
  • Insert row above: Ctrl + Shift + +
  • Insert column to the left: Ctrl + Shift + Alt + +
  • Insert multiple rows at once: Highlight the number of rows you want to insert and then use Ctrl + Shift + +
  • Insert multiple columns at once: Highlight the number of columns you want to insert and then use Ctrl + Shift + Alt + +
  • Insert a copied row: Shift + Spacebar, Ctrl + C, Ctrl + +, Ctrl + V
  • Insert a copied column: Ctrl + Spacebar, Ctrl + C, Ctrl + Alt + +, Ctrl + V
  • Insert a row with a formula: Alt + =
  • Insert a column with a formula: Ctrl + Shift + T
  • Insert a row with column headings: Ctrl + Shift + >, Enter
  • Insert a column with row headings: Ctrl + Shift + <, Enter
  • Insert a filtered row: Alt + ;, Shift + Spacebar, Ctrl + +, Ctrl + V
  • Insert a filtered column: Alt + ;, Ctrl + Spacebar, Ctrl + Alt + +, Ctrl + V
  • Insert a row with auto formatting: Ctrl + Shift + A

Which Keyboard Shortcut do I use if I want to insert an entire row in Excel?

The keyboard shortcut to insert an entire row in Excel is Ctrl + Shift + =.

Can I use a Keyboard Shortcut to insert an entire column in Excel?

Yes, you can use a keyboard shortcut to insert an entire column in Excel. The shortcut is Ctrl + Spacebar.

What Keyboard Shortcut lets me insert multiple rows at once in Excel?

To insert multiple rows at once in Excel, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + +. Highlight the number of rows you want to insert and then use the shortcut.

Is there a way to insert a copied row using a keyboard shortcut in Excel?

Yes, to insert a copied row in Excel using only keyboard shortcuts, use the following sequence: Shift + Spacebar, Ctrl + C, Ctrl + +, Ctrl + V.

Can I insert a filtered row or column in Excel using a Keyboard Shortcut?

Yes, you can insert a filtered row or column in Excel using keyboard shortcuts. For a filtered row, use the sequence Alt + ;, Shift + Spacebar, Ctrl + +, Ctrl + V. For a filtered column, use Alt + ;, Ctrl + Spacebar, Ctrl + Alt + +, Ctrl + V.

Auther name

Jacky Chou is an electrical engineer turned marketer. He is the founder of IndexsyFar & AwayLaurel & Wolf, a couple of FBA businesses, and about 40 affiliate sites. He is a proud native of Vancouver, BC, who has been featured on Entrepreneur.comForbesOberlo, and GoDaddy.