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Excel - Add Cells


The Microsoft Excel tool can seamlessly add, delete, or move cells in the workbook. We can swiftly add new columns or rows in Microsoft Excel by right-clicking on the specific cell and choosing the Insert option from the drop-down menu to add a column or row to the worksheet.

How to Add Cells in Microsoft Excel?

There are four ways to add cells to the worksheet −

  • Shift Cells Right − Moves the selected cells to the right and adds a new cell at that specific location.
  • Shift Cells Down − Moves the selected cells downwards and adds a new cell to that specific location.
  • Entire Row − You may insert an entire row by clicking on this option to add new cells in that row.
  • Entire Column − You may utilize this option to insert the new column to add new cells in that column.

Lets elaborate one by one −

Shift Cells Right

The "Shift cells right" option allows you to move the cells adjacent to the right cell.

For example

Consider the sample worksheet consisting of three columns: Executive Names, Sales Target, and Date of Joining.

Shift Cells Right

You can right-click on the B8 cell and select the "Insert" option from the drop-down list.

Shift Cells Right 1

Select the "Shift cells right" option from the list in the Insert dialog box and click the OK button.

Shift Cells Right 2

Hence, a new cell has been added to the B8 cell, and the previous B8 cell is being shifted to the right.

Shift Cells Right 3

Shift Cells Down

You can also shift the new cells downwards and add a new cell in the targeted cells.

Lets say you wish to add a new cell to the B5 cell. Right-click on the B5 cell and select the Insert option from the drop-down list.

Shift Cells Down

Afterward, you can select the "Shift cells down" and click the OK button.

Shift Cells Down 1

The Excel add a new cell in the B5, as shown below:

Shift Cells Down 2

Entire Row

Let's say you wish to insert the row between the 3 and 4 rows to add a cell where new executive information would be added. Select the B4 cell, right-click on that cell, and select the Insert option from the drop-down menu.

Entire Row

Once you click on Insert, another dialog box, "Insert," will open. In this box, you can select the "Entire row" option. Then click on the OK button.

Entire Row 1

Therefore, multiple cells were added to the new row in Microsoft Excel.

Entire Row 2

Entire Column

Microsoft Excel may add cells in a new column to a specific worksheet. To do so, select the C header and choose the "Insert" option from the drop-down menu.

Entire Column

Therefore, a new column is added between the C and D columns, and the previous column, C, will be shifted to the right.

Now, you can add new data in the C columns cells.

Entire Column 1