How to Insert (or Delete) Rows and Columns in Google Sheets

To insert a row in Google Sheets, right-click a row number and choose Insert 1 row above or Insert 1 row below. To add several at once, select that many rows first and choose Insert [number] rows. Columns work the same way: right-click a column letter and choose Insert 1 column left or right. To delete, right-click and choose Delete row or Delete column.

This guide covers Google Sheets in a web browser, plus the Sheets app on iPhone, iPad and Android. It shows how to insert one or many rows and columns, add 100 or more rows at the bottom, insert or delete single cells, use keyboard shortcuts, move and copy rows, and avoid common mix-ups like clearing instead of deleting. Steps come from Google’s Add or move columns & cells help page and its Google Sheets keyboard shortcuts list, checked in October 2026.

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Card showing how to insert one or many rows and columns in Google Sheets, including the shortcut — Illustration: ways to insert rows and columns in Google Sheets.

How to Insert a Row in Google Sheets

Right-click the row number next to where you want the new row. Result: a menu appears.
Choose Insert 1 row above or Insert 1 row below. Result: a blank row appears and the rows below shift down.

Insert several rows at once

Select as many rows as you want to add (for example, 5), right-click anywhere on them, and choose Insert 5 rows above or below. Google notes you can also Ctrl + click (Command + click on a Mac) to highlight rows.

Add 100 or more rows

Scroll to the bottom of the sheet, type a number next to more rows at the bottom, and click Add.

How to Insert a Column

Right-click a column letter. Result: a menu appears.
Choose Insert 1 column left or Insert 1 column right. Result: a blank column appears and the columns to the right shift over.

To add several columns, select that many column letters first, then right-click and choose the matching Insert option.

Insert a single cell

Right-click a cell and choose the insert cells option. Google’s help page lists Insert cells for adding cells without inserting a whole row or column; you’ll choose whether the existing cells shift right or down.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Google’s shortcuts list includes these for Windows (on a Mac, Google lists Command and Option versions):

Select a row: Shift + Space. Select a column: Ctrl + Space.
Insert rows above or columns to the left: Ctrl + Alt + = with rows or columns selected.
Delete selected rows or columns: Ctrl + Alt + – (minus).

Card showing how to delete rows, columns or cells in Google Sheets — Illustration: deleting rows, columns or cells in Google Sheets.

How to Delete Rows or Columns

Select the rows or columns. To pick ones that aren’t next to each other, hold Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) and click each row number. Result: they’re highlighted.
Right-click one of them. Result: a menu appears.
Choose Delete rows or Delete columns. Result: they’re removed and the rest shift to close the gap.

To delete a single cell, right-click it and choose Delete cell, then pick how the surrounding cells should shift. Pressed Delete by mistake? Ctrl + Z undoes it right away.

Delete vs. clear

Pressing the Delete or Backspace key on selected cells only clears their contents. The empty row or column stays. Use the right-click Delete options when you want the row or column itself gone.

On iPhone, iPad and Android

Insert: open the spreadsheet in the Google Sheets app, select a row or column, tap Insert, and choose an option.
Move: touch and hold the row number or column letter, then drag it to a new place.
Delete: tap the row or column, then choose the delete option from the menu.

How to Move or Copy a Row

Move: select the row, click Edit, and choose a move option like Move row up. Or drag the row number to a new spot.
Copy to another sheet: click the row number to select the row, press Ctrl + C (Command + C), open the other sheet tab, click the row number where you want it, and press Ctrl + V (Command + V).

Frequently Asked Questions

Will inserting rows break my formulas?

Formulas that reference ranges usually adjust automatically when you insert or delete rows inside the range. Check totals at the edges of your data, since rows added just outside a range may not be included.

Why can’t I insert or delete rows?

The sheet or range may be protected, or you may only have view or comment access. Ask the owner for edit access. If you can already edit the file, see how to remove a sheet or range protection in Google Sheets.

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Matthew Burleigh

Matthew Burleigh is the founder, head writer, and editor of Solve Your Tech, which he launched in 2012. He has written technology tutorials since 2008 and worked in IT since 2003, including small-business support, IT management, and consulting. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science from Arizona State University.

Matthew writes practical guides for Windows, iPhone and iPad, Microsoft Office, Outlook, Google apps, and Android. Solve Your Tech’s guides are tested on current devices or checked against official product documentation, with clear steps, sources, and update dates.

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