How to Add Columns or Rows in Google Sheets

How to add a column

There are two ways on how to add a column in Google Sheets. 

Method 1. Using the Insert menu

Step 1. Click on any cell where you want to add another column to either side. 

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Step 2. Go to the Insert menu. Select Column left or Column right. Column left will insert a column to the left of the selected cell, while Column right will insert a column to the right. 

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Step 3. A new column will appear. 

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Method 2: Using right-click

Step 1. Click on the column header that you wish to add a column to either side. Press right-click, and a pop-out menu will appear. 

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Step 2. Choose between Insert 1 left or Insert 1 right. Insert 1 left will add a column to the left of the selected column. Insert 1 right will add a column to the right. 

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Step 3. A new column will be added. 

How to add multiple columns

Adding multiple columns in Google Sheets is similar to adding a single column. The only difference is that you need to start by highlighting the number of columns you want to add.

Suppose you want to add two columns on the left or right. Select or highlight the two columns next to the columns you want to add. You can do this by clicking on one column header. Press and hold Shift, and then click on the other column header beside it.

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You can either use the Insert menu or press right click.

• When you go to the Insert menu, select between 2 Columns left or 2 Columns right.
  

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• When you press right click, select between Insert 2 left or Insert 2 right.

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If you want to add five or more columns, highlight five or more columns and follow the same steps above. 

How to add a row 

Similar to adding a column, there are also two ways to add a row in Google Sheets. 

Method 1. Using the Insert menu

Step 1. Click on any cell next to which you want to add a row.

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Step 2. Go to the Insert menu. Select Row above or Row below. Row above will insert a row above the cell you clicked into, while Row below will insert another row below the selected cell. 

Step 3. A new row will appear. 

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Method 2: Using right-click

Step 1. Select the row header, then press right-click. 

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Step 2. Choose between Insert 1 above or Insert 1 below. Insert 1 above will add a row above the selected row. Insert 1 below will add a row below the selected row. 

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Step 3. A new row will be added. 

How to add multiple rows

Adding multiple rows in Google Sheets is like adding a single row discussed above. Similar to adding multiple columns, you also need to highlight the number of rows you wish to add.

For example, suppose you want to add two rows above or below. Select or highlight the two rows next to the rows you want to add. To do this, click on one row header. Press and hold Shift, then click on the other row header beside it.

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Once again, you can either use the Insert menu or press right click.

• When you go to the Insert menu, then select between 2 Columns left or 2 Columns right.
  

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• When you press right click, select between Insert 2 above or Insert 2 below.

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If you want to add five or more rows, highlight five or more rows then follow the same steps above.