Inserting and Deleting Cells, Rows, and Columns in Excel 2021

Knowing how to insert and delete cells, rows, and columns allows you to:

• Add new data without disrupting the layout.
• Remove unwanted entries for cleaner datasets.
• Reorganize your spreadsheet for better clarity and presentation.

1. Inserting Cells, Rows, and Columns

A. Inserting Cells

Inserting new cells shifts existing data to make room for additional entries.

1. Select the cell or range where you want the new cells to appear.
2. Right-click and choose Insert from the context menu.
3. In the dialog box, select the appropriate shift direction:
   • Shift cells right
   • Shift cells down
4. Click OK to apply the changes.

B. Inserting Rows

Rows can be added above the selected row.

1. Click on the row number where you want the new row to appear.
2. Right-click and select Insert from the context menu.
3. A new row is added above the selected row.

Alternatively, you can use the Ribbon:

1. Select a cell in the row where you want to insert a new row.
2. Go to the Home tab.
3. Click the Insert dropdown in the Cells group and select Insert Sheet Rows.

C. Inserting Columns

Columns are added to the left of the selected column.

1. Highlight the column or cell where you want the new column to appear.
2. Right-click and choose Insert.
3. A new column is added to the left.

Using the Ribbon:

1. Select a cell in the column.
2. In the Home tab, click the Insert dropdown and select Insert Sheet Columns.

2. Deleting Cells, Rows, and Columns

A. Deleting Cells

Deleting cells shifts the remaining data to fill the gap.

1. Select the cell or range of cells you want to delete.
2. Right-click and choose Delete.
3. In the dialog box, select how to shift the remaining cells:
   • Shift cells left
   • Shift cells up
4. Click OK to finalize the deletion.

B. Deleting Rows

To delete an entire row:

1. Select the row number(s) you want to remove.
2. Right-click and choose Delete.

From the Ribbon:

1. Select a cell in the row you want to delete.
2. Go to the Home tab, click Delete in the Cells group, and select Delete Sheet Rows.

C. Deleting Columns

To delete entire columns:

1. Select the column(s) by clicking their headers.
2. Right-click and choose Delete.

Ribbon method:

1. Highlight a cell in the column.
2. Under the Home tab, click Delete and choose Delete Sheet Columns.

Keyboard Shortcuts for Quick Actions

Excel offers shortcuts to make your work faster:

• Insert Rows: Select a row and press Ctrl + Shift + “+”.
• Insert Columns: Select a column and press Ctrl + Shift + “+”.
• Delete Rows/Columns: Select the row or column and press Ctrl + “-“.

Tips for Managing Rows, Columns, and Cells

1. Use Undo: If you make a mistake, press Ctrl + Z to undo your last action.
2. Select Multiple Rows/Columns: To insert or delete multiple rows/columns at once, highlight the required rows/columns first.
3. Avoid Overwriting Data: Check surrounding cells before inserting or deleting to ensure you don’t lose important information.

Mastering the insertion and deletion of cells, rows, and columns in Excel 2021 is essential for efficient data management. These simple yet powerful tools allow you to maintain organized and professional spreadsheets, making your work more effective. With the methods and tips above, you can easily customize your worksheets to suit any need.