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Shortcut to add row in excel on mac

July 31, 2023
16.4K Views

 Do you struggle with inserting rows in Excel tables with large amounts of data? Do you want to know how to do it without moving the upper and lower rows? In this article, you will learn how to insert Excel shortcut row in an effective way. You will also discover some tips and tricks to make your data processing easier and faster. Read on and become an Excel pro!

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Insert Rows Quickly

The first method:Insert a row using ctrl + plus sign or  ctrl + shift + plus sign in excel online, 2016 and 2019 ( use Excel shortcut insert row)

  • Open your Excel spreadsheet and navigate to the row where you want to insert a new row.

  • Select the entire row above which you want to insert the new row. To select the row, click on the row number on the left side of the spreadsheet.

select row



  • To insert a single row, press the Ctrl key and the plus sign (+) key simultaneously on your keyboard. This will insert a new row above the selected row.

select row



To insert multiple rows, press the Ctrl key, the Shift key, and the plus sign (+) key simultaneously. This will insert multiple rows above the selected row. The number of rows inserted will depend on the number of rows you have selected.

select row


  • The new row(s) will be inserted, pushing the existing rows down while keeping the data in the surrounding rows intact.

select row


The second method: Insert a row using the insert dialogue box in excel

  • Open your Excel spreadsheet and go to the row where you want to insert a new row.

  • Select the entire row above which you want to insert the new row. To select the row, click on the row number on the left side of the spreadsheet.

select single row
  • In the Excel menu or ribbon, click on the "Home" tab.

  • In the "Cells" group, click on the "Insert" dropdown button. This will open the insert options.

home tab
  • From the insert options, select "Insert Sheet Rows." This will insert a new row above the selected row.

insert sheet row



  • The new row will be inserted, pushing the existing rows down while keeping the data in the surrounding rows intact.

row select

The third method: Insert a row using ALT+I+R in excel( use Excel shortcut insert row)

  • Open your Excel spreadsheet and navigate to the row where you want to insert a new row.

  • Ensure that the active cell is within the row where you want to insert the new row.

  • Press the "ALT" key on your keyboard and hold it down.

alt row
  • While holding the "ALT" key, press the "I" key, and then release both keys.

alt + I
  • Press the "R" key. This will insert a new row above the current row.

Insert row shortcut

  • The new row will be inserted, shifting the existing rows down while preserving the data in the surrounding rows.

Using the ALT+I+R shortcut in Excel provides a quick and efficient way to insert rows without the need to navigate through menus or ribbons.

Note: 

The ALT+I+R shortcut may vary depending on your Excel version and regional settings.

Inserting Rows in Excel: The Basics

There are several methods you can use to insert rows in Excel. Here are the most common techniques:

  • Using the Insert Button in the Ribbon:

  • Select the row below where you want to insert a new row.

select row

  • Go to the "Home" tab in the Excel ribbon.

home tab

  • In the "Cells" group, click on the "Insert" button.

insert new row


  • A new row will be inserted above the selected row, pushing the existing rows down.

new row

Right-Clicking to Insert Rows:

  • Right-click on the row below where you want to insert a new row.

  • In the contextual menu, select "Insert" or "Insert Copied Cells."

insert row

  • The new row will be inserted above the selected row.

new row

Using the "Insert" Command in the "Cells" Group:

  • Select the row below where you want to insert a new row.

  • Right-click on the selected row to open the contextual menu.

  • In the menu, hover over the "Insert" command and select "Insert Sheet Rows."

Insert Sheet Rows
  • A new row will be inserted above the selected row.

  • Using the "Insert Cells" Dialog Box:

  • Select the row below where you want to insert a new row.

select row
  • Go to the "Home" tab in the Excel ribbon.

home tab

  • In the "Cells" group, click on the small arrow next to the "Insert" button.

insert new row
  • From the dropdown menu, select "Insert Sheet Rows."

Insert Sheet Rows
  • The new row will be inserted above the selected row.

These methods allow you to insert rows in Excel quickly and efficiently, providing flexibility in managing your data and maintaining the structure of your spreadsheet. Choose the method that suits your preference and workflow.

Going Beyond the Basics: Advanced Excel Shortcuts

Using "Ctrl + Shift + =" Shortcut Key:

  • Select the row(s) above which you want to insert new rows.

select row
  • Press "Ctrl + Shift + =" simultaneously.

  • Excel will insert new rows above the selected row(s).

new row

Inserting Multiple Rows at Once:

  • Select the same number of rows as the number of rows you want to insert.

  • Right-click on the selected rows and choose "Insert" from the context menu.

Insert Sheet Rows
  • Excel will insert the same number of blank rows above the selected rows.

New Rows

Inserting Rows Using a Macro:

  • Press "Alt + F11" to open the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) editor.

VBA tab

  • Click on "Insert" in the menu and choose "Module" to insert a new module.

VBA tab modul

In the module window, enter the following VBA code:

Sub InsertMultipleRows()

Dim i As Integer

Dim numRows As Integer

numRows = 5 'Change the number of rows to be inserted as needed

For i = 1 To numRows

ActiveCell.EntireRow.Insert

Next i

End Sub

  • Modify the value of numRows variable to specify the number of rows you want to insert.

  • Close the VBA editor.

  • Press "Alt + F8" to open the Macro dialog box.

  • Select the "InsertMultipleRows" macro and click on "Run" to insert the specified number of rows above the active cell.

run VBA tab

Using Keyboard Shortcuts to Insert Rows:

  • Press "Ctrl + Shift + + (plus key)" to insert a new row above the selected row(s).

Ctrl + Shift + + (plus key)
  • Press "Alt, H, I, R" sequentially to open the "Insert" dialog box and select "Entire Row."


Press
Press


Press "Alt, H, I, R"



  • Press "Alt, I, R" sequentially to insert a new row above the selected row(s) using the "Insert" menu.

Press "Alt, I, R"

These methods provide various ways to insert multiple rows at once in Excel, allowing you to choose the one that suits your preference or workflow best.

Troubleshooting Common Problems When Inserting Rows in Excel

When inserting rows in Excel, you may encounter several common problems such as rows not inserting correctly, formatting issues, and formula errors. Here are some causes and solutions for these problems:

Rows Not Inserting Correctly: Causes and Solutions

  • Incorrect row selection: Double-check the selected rows and ensure you have chosen the correct row(s) for insertion.

  • Improper insertion method: Use the correct method to insert rows, such as right-clicking on the selected row number(s) and choosing "Insert" or using the "Insert" button on the Home tab.

  • Hidden rows or columns: Check for hidden rows or columns that may be blocking the insertion of new rows. Unhide any hidden rows or columns that are affecting the insertion.

Dealing with Formatting Issues When Inserting Rows

  • Copy formatting from adjacent rows: Select a row with the desired formatting, right-click, choose "Copy," then select the inserted rows, right-click, and choose "Paste Special." Select "Formats" and click "OK" to apply the formatting.

  • Use the Format Painter tool: Select a row with the desired formatting, click the "Format Painter" button on the Home tab, and click and drag over the inserted rows to apply the formatting.

Fixing Formula Errors When Inserting Rows:

  • Manually update formulas: Adjust formula references to account for the inserted rows. Make sure the references are still accurate after inserting the rows.

  • Use relative references: Consider using relative references instead of absolute references in formulas. Relative references adjust automatically when inserting or deleting rows or columns.

By following these troubleshooting tips, you can address common problems related to row insertion, formatting, and formula errors when working with Excel.

How do I insert a row in Excel without affecting the formulas?

  • To insert a row in Excel without affecting the formulas, you can use the following steps:

  • Right-click on the row number where you want to insert the new row.

select row

  • From the context menu, select "Insert" to insert a new row.

insert row

  • Immediately after inserting the row, select the entire row by clicking on the row number.

  • Right-click on the selected row and choose "Copy" from the context menu.

copy row
  • Right-click on the row below the inserted row and choose "Insert Copied Cells" from the context menu.

insert copied cells
  • This will insert a copy of the selected row, including the formulas, below the newly inserted row.

How can I insert a row without using a mouse in Excel?

Select the entire row above which you want to insert a new row:

  • Press "Shift + Spacebar" to select the entire row. This keyboard shortcut helps in selecting the current row without using the mouse.

Insert a new row above the selected row:

  • Press "Alt + I" to access the "Insert" tab on the Excel ribbon.

  • Press "R" to select the "Insert Sheet Rows" option from the "Insert" menu.

  • Excel will insert a new row above the selected row, shifting the existing rows down.

By using the keyboard shortcuts "Shift + Spacebar" and "Alt + I + R," you can insert a row in Excel without relying on the mouse. This allows for a faster and more efficient workflow, especially when working extensively with Excel.

Can I insert multiple rows at once in Excel?

Select the same number of rows as the number of rows you want to insert:

  • Click on the first row number and drag the mouse down to select the desired number of rows. Alternatively, you can use the arrow keys to navigate to the first row, hold down the Shift key, and press the down arrow key to select multiple rows.

Insert the selected rows:

  • With the rows still selected, hold down the Ctrl key (Control key) on your keyboard.

  • While holding down Ctrl, right-click anywhere within the selected rows.

  • In the context menu that appears, click on "Insert" to insert the same number of blank rows above the selected rows.

How do I insert a blank row after every other row in Excel?

Keep the Ctrl key pressed and manually select each row with data:

  • Click on the row number of the first row with data.

  • While keeping the Ctrl key pressed, click on the row numbers of the subsequent rows you want to insert a blank row after. Continue this process until you have selected all the desired rows.

Insert the blank rows:

  • With the selected rows still highlighted, press the "Insert" button on the Ribbon. The "Insert" button is typically located in the "Home" tab of the Excel Ribbon, in the "Cells" group.

  • Alternatively, you can use any of the Excel shortcuts mentioned earlier, such as "Ctrl + Shift + =" or "Alt + I + R", to insert the blank rows.

Summary

The article offers a guide on inserting rows in Excel without disturbing surrounding data. It explains methods like keyboard shortcuts, insert dialogue box, and Ribbon insert button. It also provides tips for inserting multiple rows and troubleshooting common issues.

When using WPS Office, you can utilize the same techniques mentioned in the article for inserting rows in Excel. WPS Office is compatible with Excel-compatible shortcuts and features, so you can apply the Ctrl + Plus Sign, Ctrl + Shift + Plus Sign, Alt + I + R, and other methods described in the article to insert rows effectively in WPS Office.



15 years of office industry experience, tech lover and copywriter. Follow me for product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for new apps and software.