How to Add/Remove Rows and Columns in Google Sheets [2023 Tutorial]

If you create a new workbook on Google Sheets, you’ll see that a Google Sheet, by default, contains 26,000 cells, organized in 1,000 rows and 26 columns (labeled A-Z). For some, 26,000 cells can be overwhelming, especially if you’re only looking to create a small pivot table or run some quick calculations. For others, 26,000 cells is not enough, as you may be working with large amounts of internal data or tracking a variety of metrics.

Either way, it’s important to know how to adjust the number of cells of your Google Sheet, whether that be adding rows or removing columns (or vice versa!). 

We’ll go through several ways to get this done, so you can decide the best method for you and your situation!

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Using the Insert tab for a single row or column

1. Open spreadsheet on Google Sheets.
2. Select the row (or column) where you’d like to add another.
3. Click Insert tab > Select Row above or Row below (for columns, Column left or Column right).
4. Voila! You should now have a blank row (or column) in your desired position.

Using the Insert tab for multiple rows or columns

1. Open spreadsheet on Google Sheets.
2. For the N rows (or columns) you want to add, select N vertical cells (or horizontal cells) where you’d like to add that set. For instance, below I want to add 3 rows, so I selected 3 vertical cells:

3. Click Insert tab > Select N Rows above or N Rows below (for columns, N Columns left or N Columns right). 

Right-clicking to add/remove a single row or column

1. Open spreadsheet on Google Sheets.
2. Select the row (or column) where you’d like to add another.
3. Right-click on the selection > Choose your desired action among Insert 1 above, Insert 1 below, and Delete row (for columns, the options are Insert 1 left, Insert 1 right, and Delete row).

Right-clicking to add/remove multiple rows or columns

1. Open spreadsheet on Google Sheets.
2. For the N rows (or columns) you want to add/remove, select N vertical cells (or horizontal cells) where you’d like to add that set. For instance, below I want to add 3 rows, so I selected 3 vertical cells:
   

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3. Right-click on the selection > Choose your desired action among Insert N rows, which will add above, and Delete rows (for columns, the options are Insert N columns, which will insert left, and Delete columns).

How to add Row in Google Sheets

Follow these 4 simple steps to add a row to a spreadsheet in google sheets.

1. Open a spreadsheet in Google Sheets.
2. Select the row(s) where you would like to add an additional row
3. Click the Insert tab > Select Row above or Row below
4. Google sheets will automatically add a row.

Adding rows at the bottom of the sheet

1. Open spreadsheet on Google Sheets.
2. Scroll to the bottom of the sheet > Locate Add N more rows at bottom box.
3. Enter desired number in text field > Press Add.

Using PC keyboard shortcuts to add/remove rows or columns

In Google Chrome, select desired rows (or columns), then press… 

• Alt + i, then r to add row above
• Alt + i, then w to add row below
• Alt + i, then c to add column left
• Alt + i, then o to add column right
• Alt + e, then d to remove row
• Alt + e, then e to remove column
• F4 key to repeat previous action (good for adding/removing multiple rows and columns)
  

In other browsers, select desired rows (or columns), then press… 

• Alt + Shift + i, then r to add row above
• Alt + Shift + i, then w to add row below
• Alt + Shift + i, then c to add column left
• Alt + Shift + i, then o to add column right
• Alt + Shift + e, then d to remove row
• Alt + Shift + e, then e to remove column
• F4 key to repeat previous action (good for adding/removing multiple rows and columns)

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Using Mac keyboard shortcuts to add/remove rows or columns

In any browser, select desired rows (or columns), then press… 

• Ctrl + Option + i, then r to add row above
• Ctrl + Option + i, then b to add row below
• Ctrl + Option + i, then c to add column left
• Ctrl + Option + i, then o to add column right
• Ctrl + Option + e, then d to remove row
• Ctrl + Option + e, then e to remove column