How To Insert Multiple Rows in Excel

Easily add multiple rows to an Excel spreadsheet

By
Sandy Writtenhouse
Sandy Writtenhouse
Sandy Writtenhouse
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  • Kaplan University
Sandy has been writing about technology since 2012. Her work has appeared on How-To Geek, MakeUseOf, iDownloadBlog, groovyPost, and many other websites.
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Updated on March 5, 2021
Reviewed by
Ryan Perian
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Reviewed by Ryan Perian
  • Western Governors University
Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions.
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What To Know

  • Select the same number of rows that you want to insert, right-click, and pick Insert.
  • Select the same number of rows that you want to insert and click Insert on the Home tab.
  • Select the number of cells corresponding to the number of rows you want to insert and click Insert > Insert Sheet Rows on the Home tab.

This article shows you how to insert multiple rows in Microsoft Excel. The instructions apply to Excel on both Windows and macOS.

How To Add Multiple Rows in Excel

With each of the methods below, you’ll start by selecting a range of rows corresponding to the number of rows you want to insert. You can do this using one of these methods:

  • Drag through the range of rows.
  • Select the first row, hold your Control key (Command on Mac), and select each subsequent row.
  • Select the first row, hold your Shift key, and select the last row in the range.
Select the same number of rows you want to insert

When you use the Insert action described below, the rows will be added above the first row you select.

Insert Multiple Rows in Excel with a Right-Click

If you’re an Excel user who likes to use as few moves as possible to accomplish tasks, then this method for inserting multiple rows is for you.

  1. Select the same number of rows that you want to insert. 

  2. Right-click within of the range of selected rows.

  3. Pick Insert.

    Using the right-click men to insert in Excel.

Insert Multiple Rows in Excel with the Ribbon

Maybe you’re not comfortable with right-clicking or are using a trackpad or touchpad where it’s not as easy. This method lets you hit a button to insert your rows, and you can choose to use current rows or cells to insert rows.

Use Rows to Insert Rows

This method is similar to the one above where you’ll select a range of rows.

  1. Select the same number of rows that you want to insert.

  2. Go to the Home tab.

  3. Click Insert which displays in the Cells section.

    Using Insert on the Home tab in Excel's ribbon.

Use Cells to Insert Rows

Many times, it’s simpler to select a range of cells rather than rows. You can use this method to insert rows by selecting cells.

  1. Select the same number of cells as the number of rows you want to insert.

  2. Go to the Home tab.

  3. Click the arrow next to Insert and choose Insert Sheet Rows.

    Insert Sheet Rows on the Home tab in Excel's ribbon.

Insert Multiple Rows in Excel with the Menu Bar (Mac Only)

While all of the above methods work perfectly fine in Excel on macOS, if you’re a Mac user, you have one extra option to insert multiple rows.

  1. Select either the same number of rows or cells as the number you want to insert.

  2. Click Insert in the menu bar.

  3. Choose Rows from the menu.

    Using the Insert menu to choose Rows in Excel.
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