How to Add or Delete Rows and Columns in Google Sheets

This updated guide examines How to Add or Delete Rows and Columns in Google Sheets and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

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How to add columns or rows

Open the browser, go to the Google Sheets homepage. Open the worksheet you want to insert the column or row.

Next, click on the cell you want to insert the next column or row. Then choose Insert from the toolbar.

From the Insert menu, you will see several options for inserting rows or columns into spreadsheets. You can insert rows up or down and columns to the left or right of the selected cell.

If you want to insert more than one column or row, highlight the number of cells you want to add. For example, highlight two vertical cells to insert two rows or bold two horizontal cells to insert two columns.

You can insert columns and rows from the right-clicking menu. Highlight the cell you want to insert next to, right-click the selection, and then choose Insert Rows or Insert Columns .

By default, when using the right click method, the row will be inserted above and the column will be inserted to the left of the selection.

Google Sheets even has a few keyboard shortcuts you can add rows or columns without lifting your hands off the keyboard. Select the cell and then press the shortcut key to insert the row or column.

Because Google likes to make things complicated, there are a number of browser-specific shortcuts. If you use Chrome on Windows, Linux or Chrome OS use keyboard shortcuts for Chrome. If using a different browser, execute the command for another browser.

DescriptionKeyboard shortcuts for ChromeKeyboard shortcuts for other browsers Insert row aboveAlt+I, then pressRAlt+Shift+I, then pressRInsert row belowAlt+I, then pressWAlt+Shift+I, then pressWInsert column to the leftAlt+I, then pressCAlt+Shift+I, then pressCInsert right columnAlt+I, then pressOAlt+Shift+I, then pressO

If you use macOS, follow these keyboard shortcuts to add rows or columns to spreadsheets:

DescriptionShortcut keys Insert row aboveCtrl+Option+I, then pressRInsert row belowCtrl+Option+I, then pressWInsert left columnCtrl+Option+I, then pressCInsert right columnCtrl+Option+I, then pressO

• List of common keyboard shortcuts for Google Sheets on your computer (Part 1)

How to delete rows and columns

Open Google Sheets in the browser and open the spreadsheet you want to delete rows and columns.

Highlight a cell in the row or column you want to delete, right-click and then choose Delete Row or Delete Column .

If you want to delete multiple rows or columns, highlight the number of cells you want to delete and then right-click and delete them.

When deleting columns and rows in Google Sheets, you can use these shortcuts if you want. Highlight the number of cells from the column or row you want to delete, then press the keyboard shortcut for the command you want to use.

Google also divides keyboard shortcuts for Chrome and other browsers for Windows, Linux and Chrome OS.

Alt + E, then press D (Chrome) or Alt + Shift + E, then press D (Other browsers): Delete row Alt + E, then E (Chrome) or Alt + Shift + E, then E (Other browsers): Delete column

If you use macOS, you can use the following keyboard shortcuts to delete columns and rows.

Ctrl + Option + E, then press D: Delete row Ctrl + Option + E, then press E: Delete column

I wish you successful implementation!