How To Insert Multiple Rows In Google Sheets

Managing data efficiently in Google Spreadsheets can make your work much easier. Whether organizing a simple list or handling a large data set, knowing how to quickly insert rows can save you time and frustration.

This guide will walk you through different methods you can follow to add rows in Google Sheets.

Using the Shortcuts to Add a Row in Google Sheets

With keyboard shortcuts, inserting a row in Google Sheets can be quick and easy. Here are two methods to do it:

Method 1: Using arrow keys and shortcuts.

1. Select the row: Press "Shift" + "Space" to choose the whole row atop where you intend to add the new rows.

2. Adjust selection: While pressing "Shift," press the "↓" arrow key once lesser than the rows you intend to add. For instance, press "↓" four times to add five rows.

3. Insert the rows: Click “Ctrl” + “Alt” + “=” (for your Windows device) or “⌘” + “Option” + “=” (for your Mac device) to insert the rows.

Method 2: Using alt/option keys and shortcuts.

1. Select cells: Highlight a similar number of cell blocks in the column as the total rows you intend to add.

2. Insert rows above: Click "Alt" + "Shift" + "I" and "R" (for Windows) or "Ctrl" + "Option" + "I," then "R" (for your Mac device) to add rows above the highlighted cells.

3. Insert rows below: Tap "Alt" + "Shift" + "I" and "W" (for your Windows device) or "Ctrl" + "Option" + "I," then "B" (for your Mac device) to add rows beneath the highlighted cells.

If you use Google Chrome, simplify the process by pressing "Alt" + "I" instead of including "Shift" in the step.

Using the Menu To Add a Single Row in Your Google Sheets

It can be done without fuss if you want to add a row to your Google Sheets. Here's a simple way to add a row in Google Sheets without the need for shortcuts:

Step 1: Open Google Sheets.

Begin by opening the sheet on which you intend to insert a row.

Step 2: Select the row.

Select the digit of the row above where you intend the new row to appear. This will highlight the row completely.

Step 3: Use the Insert Menu.

Go to the top menu, click Insert, choose Rows, and select Insert 1 row above. If you prefer, you can also choose to insert the row below.

Step 4: Right-click option.

Alternatively, you can right-click the chosen row and select Insert 1 row above from the context menu. The new row will be added to your spreadsheet.

Using the Insert Menu To Add Multiple Rows in Google Sheets

Inserting multiple rows at once in Google Sheets is straightforward. Here's how you can do it:

Step 1: Open Google Sheets.

Start by opening the spreadsheet where you intend to insert the rows.

Step 2: Select the row.

Tap the row number atop where you intend to add the new rows. This will highlight the whole row.

Step 3: Select multiple rows.

Press and hold the row number, then pull down to highlight more rows. For instance, if you intend to add five rows, highlight five rows (the first row plus the following four rows).

Step 4: Use the Insert Menu.

Once you select the row, tap Insert at the top menu.

Step 5: Choose the number of rows.

Hover over Rows, then tap Insert 5 Rows Above if you selected five rows.

Step 6: Rows inserted.

The selected number of rows will be added above the highlighted row.

Step 7: Insert rows below.

If you want to insert rows beneath a particular row, select Insert 5 Rows Below instead.

Read more: How to unhide rows in Google Sheets.

Adding Rows Using Shortcuts

This method is much faster than manually selecting and inserting rows individually. It's an efficient way to handle non-contiguous rows using keyboard shortcuts. Follow the steps below:

Step 1: Insert the first row.

Start by adding a row where you intend it to appear. For instance, to add a row above the sixth row, tap the digit at the top and press Insert from the menu window. Click Rows and decide whether you want the row to appear above or below.

Step 2: Use the F4 key.

Tap the digit at the top of the desired row and click the F4 key to add new rows above the rows you clicked. This will repeat the last action (adding a row).

Step 3: Repeat for additional rows.

Continue to press the rows you intend to add new rows and tap F4. For example, to insert new rows atop rows three and ten, press every row and click F4.

The same shortcut (F4) will work on your Mac device, making it a quick and efficient method of inserting multiple rows.

Adding Multiple Rows in Your Google Sheets by Right-Clicking

You can easily insert multiple rows in Google Spreadsheets by right-clicking. Here's how to do it:

Step 1: Launch your Google Sheets.

Start by opening the spreadsheet you desire to insert the rows.

Step 2: Select the row.

Click the number of the row above where you intend to add the new rows to highlight the whole row.

Step 3: Select additional rows.

Tap and hold the row number, then pull down to highlight more rows. For instance, if you want to insert five rows, select the first row plus the next four rows, making it a total of 5.

Step 4: Right-click.

Once you have selected the rows, right-click anywhere within the highlighted area.

Step 5: Insert rows.

From the menu that appears, tap Insert 5 Rows Above. The highlighted number of rows will appear above the selected row.

Step 6: Insert rows below.

If you wish to add rows beneath a specific row, click Insert 5 Rows Below instead.

Adding Many Rows at the Base of Your Sheets

You can easily add rows at the bottom if you need more than the default 1,000 rows in a spreadsheet. Here's how:

Step 1: Go to the last row.

Tap Ctrl + Downward Arrow on your Windows device or Cmd + Downward Arrow on your Mac device to jump to your sheet's last row.

Step 2: Access more rows option.

Click the Downward Arrow key again to show the Option to insert more rows.

Step 3: Specify the number of rows.

Enter the total rows required. You can add from 1 up to 5,000,000 rows, keeping in mind that 10,000,000 is the highest amount of cells.

Step 4: Click Add

Press the Add button to add the number rows of rows you typed.

Step 5: Return to the last data cell.

To quickly return to the endmost cell containing data, utilize the shortcut Ctrl + Up Arrow on your Windows device or Cmd + Upward Arrow on your Mac device.

Using Macros to Add Many Rows in Your Sheets

Using macros in Google Sheets allows you to automate repetitive tasks, such as inserting multiple rows. Here's how to do it:

Step 1: Start recording a macro.

Access the Extensions menu, click Macros, and then tap Record Macro.

Step 2: Record your actions.

A chat box will pop up indicating that the macro recording has started. Perform the action you want to record. For instance, insert six rows above the seventh row. Tap Save on the chat box when you're done.

Step 3: Name and save your Macro.

Give your macro a name and assign a shortcut number if you want. Click the Save button.

Step 4: Run your macro.

To run the macro, access the Extensions menu, hover over Macros, and tap the recorded action.

Step 5: Authorize the script.

Click OK and follow the prompts to authorize the macro script.

Step 6: Execute the macro.

Once authorized, access the Extensions menu and click your macro to launch it. A notification will appear saying "Finished script" once it is completed.

Using the Menu to Cut Rows in Your Sheets

You can quickly delete multiple rows in Google Sheets using the menu. Here's how to delete multiple rows in Google Sheets:

Step 1: Select the first row.

Tap the digit of the first row you intend to do away with (e.g., row 3).

Step 2: Select the range.

Press the "Shift" key, hold it down, and tap the row digit of the last row you intend to remove (e.g., row 7). This will highlight all the rows in the range.

Step 3: Delete the rows.

Right-click the selected rows and choose "Delete rows 3-9."

 Using Shortcuts to Cut Rows in Your Sheets

You can easily delete multiple rows in Google Sheets using shortcuts. Here's how to do it:

Method 1: Use the shift and arrow keys.

1. Select the first row: Tap Shift + Space to highlight the whole row you intend to begin.

2. Select additional rows: Press the Shift key, hold it down, and use the up or down arrow keys to highlight every row you intend to remove.

3. Delete the rows: Click Ctrl + Alt + - (on your Windows device) or ⌘ + Option + - (on your Mac device) to remove the highlighted rows.

Method 2: Using Alt/Option keys.

1. Select cells in each row: Select a minimum of cells in every row you intend to remove. (e.g., highlight cells from row 2 to row 7).

2. Use the shortcut: Click Alt + Shift + E and D (on your Windows device) or Ctrl + Option + E and D (on your Mac device).

3. Delete rows: Click Delete rows 2-7 from the popup menu.

Google Chrome users:

• On your Windows device, click Alt + E and D.

• On your Mac device, click Ctrl + E and D.

Conclusion

Knowing how to instert multiple rows in Google Sheets can greatly enhance your productivity. Whether you prefer using the Insert menu, right-clicking, keyboard shortcuts, or even macros, there's a method that suits your needs. By mastering these techniques, you can manage your data more efficiently and save time on repetitive tasks.

Visit Simple Sheets for more easy-to-follow guides and examples, and remember to visit the related articles section of this blog post.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can I quickly insert multiple rows in Google Sheets?

You can quickly insert multiple rows by selecting the number of rows you want to add, right-clicking, and choosing "Insert X rows above" or "Insert X rows below."

Can I insert multiple rows at different locations simultaneously in Google Sheets?

Google Sheets does not support inserting rows at multiple non-contiguous locations simultaneously. You need to insert rows at each location separately. However, using the F4 key to repeat the last action can speed up the process.

What is the maximum number of rows I can add to a Google Sheets document?

You can add up to 5,000,000 rows to a Google Sheets document if the total number of cells does not exceed 10,000,000.

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