How to add additional rows above or below in Microsoft Excel

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Here's how to add a new row of data above or below existing cells

Excel sheet
(Image credit: Future)

Copy and paste is the obvious fix for most situations in Excel, but it’s rarely the right choice. Take this example: adding a new row of data above or below existing cells. Instead of selecting, copying, and pasting, there’s a much easier way that doesn’t involve the added steps, and it’s hiding in your right-click menu.

Editor's Note: This tutorial was written for Excel 2016, but a similar method still applies to modern versions of Excel.

How to insert rows and columns in Excel 

1. Open a blank Excel workbook.

2. Enter data, or choose an existing workbook with data already pre-filled. Here we’re going to use a listed of alphabetized names. If we forget one, we can quickly add the space we need to add the name without moving anything else around.

3. Right-click the cell you’d like to add blank space above or below and select Insert 1 row above.

In the previous version, just select Insert.

4. Choose Entire row.

5. Click OK. 

Microsoft Excel Tips

Bryan Clark

Bryan covers everything you need to know about Windows, social media, and the internet at large for Laptop Mag. Thanks to his extensive knowledge of operating systems and some of the most popular software out there, Bryan has written hundreds of helpful guides, including tips related to Windows 11 drivers, upgrading to a newer version of the OS, editing in Microsoft Photos, or rearranging pages in Google Docs.