After you’ve created a worksheet and begun filling in your data, you might decide to insert a row or column to add data you didn’t think to include when you started. For example, a customer might want to add a product to an order. To accommodate this new data, you can insert a blank row below the last row in their existing order and add the new item there. You can do the same with columns; you can even use the Insert Options button to format the new rows or columns.
On the other hand, there might be times when you no longer need to use a particular row or column. Whether you placed an extra column to add some white space between the main body of data and a summary calculation or a row holds the contact information of a customer who has asked to be removed from your list, you can delete either the row or column quickly and easily. Or, if you’d like to change a column or row’s position, you can move a group of columns or rows to another location in the worksheet.
Insert a Row in a Worksheet
Right-click the row header below where you want the new row to appear.
Choose Insert from the shortcut menu.
Insert a Column in a Worksheet
Right-click the column header to the right of where you want the new column to appear.
Choose Insert from the shortcut menu.
Tip
If you want to insert more than one row or column at a time, select a number of adjacent rows or columns equal to the number you want to insert and then choose the appropriate command from the Insert menu.
Set Insert Options
After inserting rows or columns, click the Insert Options button.
Select the type of formatting you want the new cells to have.
Tip
The Insert Options button will appear only if the cells above or below the insertion point have special formatting.
Caution
Formulas that reference cells in the columns or rows you delete will no longer work. The Error smart tag will tell you there is an Invalid Cell Reference Error and give you options to fix the problem. #REF! will appear in the damaged cell.
Delete a Row or Column
Select the row or column you want to delete.
Right-click the selection and choose Delete from the shortcut menu.
Move One or More Rows
Select the rows you want to move.
Click the Home tab.
Click the Cut button.
Click the first cell in the row where you want the rows to be moved.
Click the Paste button.
Move One or More Columns
Select the columns you want to move.
Click the Home tab.
Click the Cut button.
Click the first cell in the column where you want to move the columns.
