If you've used Excel for a while, you have lots of skills that you might assume everyone else shares. However, based on the Excel questions that I see online, those assumptions are very optimistic! For example, I recently saw this plea on Twitter:
Can anyone help pls? can't work out how to add a LOT of new rows in Excel between existing data, rather than 1 at a time – ?? Many thanks!
You might think, "Wow! How can anyone not know how to do that?" But think way back, to the days when you were starting out in Excel. Maybe you took an intro course, where you learned the basics, plus a few productivity tips. Unfortunately, many people just get dropped into Excel, with a pat on the back and a "Good luck!" They stumble through, and when they figure out how to do something, they're thrilled, and don't bother looking for easier ways.
At least the person who posted this Excel question on Twitter is trying to find easier ways to do things. So, for that guy/gal, here's the solution.
Insert a Single Row with a Mouse Shortcut
You can quickly insert a single row in Excel by using a mouse shortcut.
- Right-click on the row button, in the row below the point where you want the new row inserted. For example, if you want a blank row inserted between rows 3 and 4, right-click on the row 4 button.
- In the pop-up menu, click Insert

Insert Multiple Rows with a Mouse Shortcut
You're not limited to inserting one row at a time -- you can quickly insert a multiple rows in Excel by using a mouse shortcut.
- Drag over several row buttons, to select the same number of rows that you want to insert.
- As you drag, a pop-up (highlighted in green below) will show the number of rows currently selected.

- After you select the number of row that you want to insert, right-click on a row button, for one of the selected rows.
- In the pop-up menu, click Insert
Based on the number of rows that you had selected, blank rows will be inserted, above the first selected row.

Keyboard Shortcuts
Of course, you can insert rows with an Excel keyboard shortcut too, if that's your preference.
- To select the selected cell's entire row, press Shift + Spacebar
- To select more rows, press Shift, and the Up arrow or Down arrow.
- To insert the selected number of rows, press Ctrl + + (plus sign)
Watch the Video
To see the mouse shortcuts for inserting one or more rows in an Excel worksheet, watch this very short Excel video tutorial.
What Are Your Favourite Tips or Shortcuts?
- Do you use Excel shortcuts that new users might not know about?
- Are there any quick tips that make your Excel life easier?
Please share them in the comments below. Thanks!
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I just right click to insert the row then hammer at ctrl + y as many times as needed to insert a new row. Also if you insert more than 1 row at a time (eg 4) then when you press ctrl + y it will insert another 4 rows. Works on columns as well.
When you use
Alt + = to autosum.
@Elliot, @Axcel, thanks for sharing your shortcuts.
Shift + Mouse Wheel UP/Down
to show/hide outline levels, and details in pivot tables
i think what he is saying, "inserting rows between existing data" say you have 1-10 data in a row and he would like to insert in between those numbers.
is the a formula or shortcut about it?
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I had been inserting rows one by one for months.
Dear All,
I have on 1000 row data & i want to insert one blank row after every row. how can i do it fast. pls provide me any shortcut for same.
For example my current excel page as under
S00082 63 AMP BACKLITE FUSE
S00100 "ALENKEY BOLT 3/8x7""."""
S00101 ALENKEY BOLT M-6 X 25
S00103 ALENKY BOLT 6 MM X 1/2
& i require as under
S00082 63 AMP BACKLITE FUSE
S00100 "ALENKEY BOLT 3/8x7""."""
S00101 ALENKEY BOLT M-6 X 25
S00103 ALENKY BOLT 6 MM X 1/2
Insert Code as this use
Sub InsertRows()
Application.ScreenUpdating = False
Dim numRows As Integer
Dim r As Long
r = Cells(Rows.Count, "A").End(xlUp).Row
numRows = 1
For r = r To 1 Step -1
ActiveSheet.Rows(r + 1).Resize(numRows).Insert
Next r
Application.ScreenUpdating = True
End Sub
Thanks