Insert or delete rows and columns in Excel

Insert or delete a column

1. Select any cell within the column, then go to Home > Insert > Insert Sheet Columns or Home > Delete > Delete Sheet Columns.
2. Alternatively, right-click the top of the column, and then select Insert or Delete.

Insert or delete a row

1. Select any cell within the row, then go to Home > Insert > Insert Sheet Rows or Home > Delete > Delete Sheet Rows.
2. Alternatively, right-click the row number, and then select Insert or Delete.

Formatting options

When you insert a column, Excel may apply formatting from adjacent columns. To change the formatting, select the Insert Options button after inserting the column, and then choose a formatting option.

If the Insert Options button isn't visible, go to File > Options > Advanced. Under Cut, copy, and paste, select Show Insert Options buttons.

Insert rows

Open a new spreadsheet in Excel for the web.

To insert a single row: Right-click the whole row above which you want to insert the new row, and then select Insert 1 Row Above.

To insert multiple rows: Select the same number of rows as you want to insert. Right-click the selection, and then select the option to insert rows above. The number displayed in the command depends on how many rows you selected.

Insert columns

To insert a single column: Right-click the whole column to the right of where you want to add the new column, and then select Insert 1 Column Left.

To insert multiple columns: Select the same number of columns as you want to insert. Right-click the selection, and then select the option to insert columns to the left. The number displayed in the command depends on how many columns you selected.

Delete cells, rows, or columns

If you don't need any of the existing cells, rows or columns, here's how to delete them:

1. Select the cells, rows, or columns that you want to delete.
2. Right-click the selection, and then select Delete. If prompted, choose the appropriate delete option, such as Shift cells left or Shift cells up.

When you delete rows or columns, other rows or columns automatically shift up or to the left.

Insert cells

To insert a single cell:

1. Right-click the cell where you want to insert a new cell.
2. Select Insert, and then select Shift cells right or Shift cells down.

To insert multiple cells:

1. Select the same number of cells as you want to insert.
2. Right-click the selection, and then select Insert > Shift cells right or Shift cells down.