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.

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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!). 

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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

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You might also like our articles on how to add rows in Google Sheets and the shortcut to add rows in Google Sheets. On a side note, we also recommend reading our guide on how to send an email from google sheets based on cell value.

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