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Rows, columns and sheets shortcuts

Insert row shortcut in Excel

Quick answerSelect a cell in the row, press ShiftSpace to select the whole row, then CtrlShiftPlus on Windows. The new row goes in above. On a Mac, press ShiftSpace, then CtrlShift=. For a column, start with CtrlSpace instead; it goes in to the left.

The keys

ShortcutWindowsMac
Select the entire rowShiftSpaceShiftSpace
Select the entire columnOn a Mac, Control+Space also switches input sources in macOS. If it does that, turn the macOS shortcut off in System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts.CtrlSpaceControlSpace
Insert cells, rows or columnsSelect whole rows (Shift+Space) or columns (Ctrl+Space) first and they go in straight away; otherwise the Insert dialog asks which way to shift.CtrlShiftPlusWeb CtrlPlusControlShift=

Checked against Microsoft's official lists on . Where Microsoft lists a key for one platform only, the other column says so instead of guessing.

Why select the row first

CtrlShiftPlus inserts whatever is selected. With a whole row selected, the row goes in at once. With only a cell selected, the Insert dialog opens and asks whether to shift cells down, shift them right, or insert an entire row; press R then Enter for an entire row, or C for a column.

On a laptop without a number pad, Plus is Shift with the = key, which is why the Windows shortcut has Shift in it. On a full keyboard, the Plus key on the number pad works too.

Insert several rows at once

Select as many rows as you want to add, then press the shortcut once. To add five rows above row 10, click row 10, press ShiftSpace, then ShiftDown arrow four times so rows 10 to 14 are selected, and press CtrlShiftPlus. Five blank rows go in above the old row 10.

To add more in the same place, press F4 or CtrlY on Windows: both repeat the last action.

In a table, a filtered list, or the web

When it does not work

Why a shortcut sometimes does nothing

You are still editing a cell

While a cell is in edit mode, most commands are greyed out and many shortcuts type into the cell instead. Press Enter to finish the entry or Esc to cancel it, then try again.

Non-US keyboards

Microsoft's lists are written for the US keyboard layout and say that keys on other layouts might not correspond exactly. Shortcuts named after a symbol, such as Ctrl;, Ctrl` or CtrlShift$, are the ones most likely to sit somewhere else or not work. When one does nothing, use the ribbon route on its task page instead.

Related shortcuts

ShortcutWindowsMac
Delete cells, rows or columns How to: Delete row shortcut in Excel With whole rows or columns selected they go at once; otherwise the Delete dialog asks.Ctrl-Command- or Control-
In a table, insert a row aboveAltH, I, A—No Mac shortcut in Microsoft's list
In a table, insert a column to the leftAltH, I, L—No Mac shortcut in Microsoft's list
Repeat the last action, such as inserting a row or applying a format How to: Undo, redo and repeat shortcuts in Excel Microsoft's Mac list has no Repeat key: Cmd+Y is Redo there. Inside a formula, F4 switches $ signs instead.F4 or CtrlY—No Mac shortcut in Microsoft's list

FAQ

What is the shortcut to insert a row in Excel?

Select the row with Shift+Space, then press Ctrl+Shift+Plus on Windows or Ctrl+Shift+= on a Mac. The new row appears above the selected one.

How do I insert a row below instead of above?

Excel always inserts above the selection. Select the row under the place you want the new row, then insert.

How do I insert a column with the keyboard?

Select the column with Ctrl+Space, then press Ctrl+Shift+Plus (Ctrl+Shift+= on a Mac). The new column goes to the left.

Why does Ctrl+Plus not insert a row?

On a laptop, the plus sign is on the = key, so Windows Excel needs Ctrl+Shift+= (written Ctrl+Shift+Plus). Ctrl with the number pad plus works on a full keyboard, and Excel for the web lists Ctrl+Plus.

Related guides

In the glossary: TableWorksheet

All rows, columns and sheets shortcutsAll Excel shortcutsPrintable sheet