Adding a row in Excel takes a few clicks, but the exact command changes between Windows, Mac, Excel for the web, tables, and protected sheets. The key detail is simple: standard worksheet rows are inserted above the row you select. Start with the fastest method for your version, then use the matching section when your workbook has tables, mobile controls, or protection turned on.
Insert a row from the ribbon
Select any cell in the row where the new blank row should appear. Excel inserts the row above that selected row.
Open Home, choose Insert, then select Insert Sheet Rows. This works in Excel for Microsoft 365, Excel 2024, Excel 2021, Excel 2019, and Excel 2016 for Windows.
If the ribbon command does not add the row, right-click the row number and choose Insert.
Use the row number menu
This fixes one blank row above an existing worksheet row.
Move your pointer to the row number on the left side of the sheet.
Right-click the row number of the row you want the new row to appear above. That existing row moves down one position.
Select Insert.
Excel adds a blank row above the row you clicked.
Add more than one row
The most common cause of getting only one new row is selecting only one row before using the insert command.
Select the same number of row headings as the number of rows you want to add. Select three row headings to insert three blank rows.
Right-click the selected row headings and choose Insert. Excel places the new rows above the selected area.
On a Mac, select the row headings, hold CONTROL, click the selected rows, and choose Insert from the pop-up menu.
Use keyboard shortcuts
Use these shortcuts when the row or range is already selected:
- 1.Select the entire row or rows where the new rows should be inserted.
- 2.On Windows desktop Excel, press Ctrl+Shift+Plus sign.
- 3.If the Insert dialog opens, choose Entire row and confirm.
- 4.On Mac, press Ctrl+Shift+Equal sign.
- 5.In Excel for the web, select a range, row, or column, then press Ctrl+Plus sign.
Insert rows in Excel for the web
Open your spreadsheet in Excel for the web. Right-click the whole row you want the new row to appear above, then choose Insert Rows.
To add several rows, select the same number of row headers as the number of rows you want to insert. Right-click the selection and choose Insert Rows.
For the web keyboard path, put focus in the row and press Alt+Windows logo key, then H, I, R. Excel inserts a row above the current row.
If the web keyboard path feels awkward, use the right-click row header method instead.
Add rows inside an Excel table
An Excel table has its own row behavior. To add a row at the bottom, type in a cell below the last table row, and Excel expands the table to include the new row.
When pasting data, paste into the leftmost cell below the last table row. If the pasted data has as many or fewer columns than the table, Excel expands the table to include the pasted range.
For a controlled table insert, pick a cell or row that is not the header row, right-click, hover over Insert, then choose Table Rows Above. In the last row, the menu includes Table Rows Above and Table Rows Below.
To resize the table manually, click anywhere in the table, open Table Design, choose Resize Table, select the full range the table should include, then choose OK.
Move or copy rows into a new spot
Use this when you want to insert existing rows somewhere else instead of creating blank rows:
- 1.Select the row or rows you want to move or copy.
- 2.On Home, select Cut or press Ctrl+X; to duplicate them, select Copy or press Ctrl+C.
- 3.Right-click a row below where the moved or copied rows should go.
- 4.Select Insert Cut Cells or Insert Copied Cells.
Insert rows on phone or tablet
This applies when you are editing a table in Excel through the Office apps on iPad, iPhone, Android, or Windows mobile and tablet devices. Tap inside the table, open the Table tab, then tap Insert.
Choose the row option from the menu. The mobile table menu adds rows above or below the row where your cursor is located.
On Android and Windows mobile or tablet, tap the selection block on the left side of the row, then tap the plus sign to quickly add a row.
Allow row insertion on a protected sheet
A protected worksheet blocks row insertion unless the sheet allows it. In Windows Excel, open Review, choose Protect Sheet, and select Insert rows in the permissions list.
In Excel for the web, open Review, then Manage Protection. Turn on Protect sheet, open Options, then select Insert rows.
In a work or school copy of Excel, Copilot-assisted row insertion requires Microsoft 365 Copilot licensing and the right organization settings. Manual row insertion from the ribbon, row header menu, and keyboard shortcuts is separate from Copilot controls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Excel insert the new row above or below my selection?
Excel inserts a standard worksheet row above the row you select. In an Excel table, the last row menu includes Table Rows Above and Table Rows Below.
How do I insert several rows at once?
Select the same number of row headings as the rows you want to add, then right-click the selection and choose Insert or Insert Rows.
Can I insert a row with a keyboard shortcut?
Yes. On Windows desktop Excel, select the row and press Ctrl+Shift+Plus sign. On Mac, use Ctrl+Shift+Equal sign. In Excel for the web, use Ctrl+Plus sign after selecting the range, row, or column.
Why does my Excel table expand when I type below it?
Excel tables automatically expand when you type in a cell below the last table row. Pasting data below the table also expands it when the pasted range has as many or fewer columns than the table.