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How to Insert, Delete, and Resize Rows and Columns in Excel

by | Excel

Excel Content Article

Table of Contents

Excel Interface Practical Implementation

Step 1: Insert Rows and Columns

Insert Rows

  1. Select the row below where you want the new row.
  2. Right-click on the row number.
  3. Click "Insert".

Insert Columns

  1. Select the column to the right of where you want the new column.
  2. Right-click on the column letter.
  3. Click "Insert".

Step 2: Delete Rows and Columns

Delete Rows

  1. Select the row you want to delete.
  2. Right-click on the row number.
  3. Click "Delete".

Delete Columns

  1. Select the column you want to delete.
  2. Right-click on the column letter.
  3. Click "Delete".

Step 3: Resize Rows and Columns

Resize Rows

  1. Hover the mouse over the line below the row number until the cursor changes to a double arrow.
  2. Click and drag the line to resize the row to your desired height.

Resize Columns

  1. Hover the mouse over the line to the right of the column letter until the cursor changes to a double arrow.
  2. Click and drag the line to resize the column to your desired width.

Step 4: Shortcut Keys (Optional for Efficiency)

Insert

  • Rows: Ctrl + Shift + +
  • Columns: Ctrl + Shift + +

Delete

  • Rows: Ctrl + -
  • Columns: Ctrl + -

Step 5: Practice

To ensure understanding, practice these tasks:

  1. Insert multiple rows and columns in various positions.
  2. Delete those rows and columns.
  3. Resize rows and columns to different sizes.

This practical guide should enable efficient data manipulation and formula application in Excel.

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Inserting Rows and Columns in Excel: Step-by-Step Guide

Insert a Row

  1. Select the Row Below Where You Want to Insert a New Row:

    • Click on the row number to the left of the Excel sheet.

  2. Insert the Row:

    • Right-click on the selected row.
    • Choose "Insert" from the context menu.

Insert a Column

  1. Select the Column to the Right Where You Want to Insert a New Column:

    • Click on the column letter at the top of the Excel sheet.

  2. Insert the Column:

    • Right-click on the selected column.
    • Choose "Insert" from the context menu.

Delete a Row

  1. Select the Row You Want to Delete:

    • Click on the row number to the left of the Excel sheet.

  2. Delete the Row:

    • Right-click on the selected row.
    • Choose "Delete" from the context menu.

Delete a Column

  1. Select the Column You Want to Delete:

    • Click on the column letter at the top of the Excel sheet.

  2. Delete the Column:

    • Right-click on the selected column.
    • Choose "Delete" from the context menu.

Resize Rows

  1. Select the Row to Resize:

    • Click on the row number to the left of the Excel sheet.

  2. Resize the Row:

    • Position your mouse pointer on the bottom border of the selected row number.
    • Drag up or down to resize the row.

Resize Columns

  1. Select the Column to Resize:

    • Click on the column letter at the top of the Excel sheet.

  2. Resize the Column:

    • Position your mouse pointer on the right border of the selected column letter.
    • Drag left or right to resize the column.

AutoFit Rows and Columns

  1. Select the Rows or Columns to AutoFit:

    • Click and drag to select multiple row numbers or column letters.

  2. Apply AutoFit:

    • Double-click on the bottom border of the selected row number or the right border of the selected column letter to automatically resize based on the content.

End Note

By following these steps, you should be able to efficiently manage rows and columns in Excel for better data analysis and formula application.

Deleting Rows and Columns in Excel: Best Practices Implementation

Deleting Rows and Columns

Delete a Single Row

  1. Select the Row: Click on the row number.
  2. Delete: Right-click and choose "Delete" from the context menu or use the shortcut Ctrl + "-".

Delete a Single Column

  1. Select the Column: Click on the column letter.
  2. Delete: Right-click and choose "Delete" from the context menu or use the shortcut Ctrl + "-".

Delete Multiple Rows

  1. Select Multiple Rows: Click and drag across the row numbers.
  2. Delete: Right-click on one of the selected row numbers and choose "Delete", or use the shortcut Ctrl + "-".

Delete Multiple Columns

  1. Select Multiple Columns: Click and drag across the column letters.
  2. Delete: Right-click on one of the selected column letters and choose "Delete", or use the shortcut Ctrl + "-".

Delete Rows based on a Condition (Using Filter)

  1. Select Data Range: Select the range of data.
  2. Apply Filter: Go to the "Data" tab and click on "Filter".
  3. Set Filter Condition: Click the filter arrow in the column where you want to set the condition.
  4. Delete Filtered Rows:
    • Select visible rows by clicking the row numbers while holding Shift.
    • Right-click and choose "Delete Row".

Delete Columns Based on a Condition (Using Filter)

  1. Select Data Range: Select the range of data.
  2. Apply Filter: Go to the "Data" tab and click on "Filter".
  3. Set Filter Condition: Click the filter arrow in the row where you want to set the condition.
  4. Delete Filtered Columns:
    • Select visible columns by clicking the column letters while holding Shift.
    • Right-click and choose "Delete Column".

Example VBA Macros

Delete Rows Based on a Cell Value

Sub DeleteRowsBasedOnValue()
    Dim ws As Worksheet
    Set ws = ThisWorkbook.Sheets("Sheet1")
    Dim i As Long
    For i = ws.Cells(Rows.Count, "A").End(xlUp).Row To 1 Step -1
        If ws.Cells(i, 1).Value = "DeleteMe" Then
            ws.Rows(i).Delete
        End If
    Next i
End Sub

Delete Columns Based on a Header Name

Sub DeleteColumnsBasedOnHeader()
    Dim ws As Worksheet
    Set ws = ThisWorkbook.Sheets("Sheet1")
    Dim colToDelete As String
    colToDelete = "HeaderName"

    Dim rng As Range
    Set rng = ws.Rows(1).Find(What:=colToDelete, LookIn:=xlValues, LookAt:=xlWhole)
    
    If Not rng Is Nothing Then
        ws.Columns(rng.Column).Delete
    End If
End Sub

Resizing Rows and Columns: Practical Examples

Resizing Columns

  1. Manually Adjust Column Width

    • Step 1: Select the column (e.g., column B).
    • Step 2: Hover the mouse over the boundary on the right side of the column header until the cursor changes to a double-headed arrow.
    • Step 3: Click and drag the boundary to the desired width, then release the button.

  2. AutoFit Column Width

    • Step 1: Select the column (e.g., column C).
    • Step 2: Double-click the boundary on the right side of the column header. Excel will adjust the column width to fit the longest cell content.

  3. Set Exact Column Width

    • Step 1: Select the column (e.g., column D).
    • Step 2: Right-click and choose "Column Width…"
    • Step 3: Enter the desired width value (e.g., 20) and click "OK".

Resizing Rows

  1. Manually Adjust Row Height

    • Step 1: Select the row (e.g., row 5).
    • Step 2: Hover the mouse over the boundary at the bottom of the row header until the cursor changes to a double-headed arrow.
    • Step 3: Click and drag the boundary to the desired height, then release the button.

  2. AutoFit Row Height

    • Step 1: Select the row (e.g., row 6).
    • Step 2: Double-click the boundary at the bottom of the row header. Excel will adjust the row height to fit the tallest cell content.

  3. Set Exact Row Height

    • Step 1: Select the row (e.g., row 7).
    • Step 2: Right-click and choose "Row Height…"
    • Step 3: Enter the desired height value (e.g., 25) and click "OK".

Bulk Resizing

  1. Adjust Width of Multiple Columns

    • Step 1: Select the columns you want to resize (e.g., columns A to C).
    • Step 2: Hover the mouse over the boundary on the right side of any selected column header.
    • Step 3: Drag to the desired width for all selected columns and release.

  2. Adjust Height of Multiple Rows

    • Step 1: Select the rows you want to resize (e.g., rows 2 to 4).
    • Step 2: Hover the mouse over the boundary at the bottom of any selected row header.
    • Step 3: Drag to the desired height for all selected rows and release.

Applying Formulas: Utilizing Inserted Data in Excel

Goal

To use formulas efficiently with newly inserted data in Excel.

Practical Implementation

1. Sum New Data Range

=SUM(A1:A10)
  • Adjust the A1:A10 as per your newly inserted data range.

2. Average New Data Range

=AVERAGE(B1:B10)
  • Modify B1:B10 to fit your specific range.

3. Conditional Sum with Inserted Data

=SUMIF(C1:C10, ">100")
  • Change C1:C10 to your data range and "100" to your condition.

4. Conditional Count in New Range

=COUNTIF(D1:D10, "Yes")
  • Update D1:D10 to your new data range and "Yes" to your criteria.

5. Lookup Value from Newly Inserted Data

=VLOOKUP("Item", E1:F10, 2, FALSE)
  • Adjust E1:F10 for your data range. "Item" is what you are looking for, and 2 is the column to return the value from.

6. Creating Dynamic Named Ranges

  1. Go to Formulas > Name Manager.
  2. Click New and create a named range with the following formula:
=OFFSET(Sheet1!$A$1,0,0,COUNTA(Sheet1!$A:$A),1)
  • Adjust to fit your sheet and data start position.

7. Using Dynamic Named Ranges in Formulas

=SUM(MyDynamicRange)
  • MyDynamicRange is the name given in the Name Manager.

8. Auto-Fill Formulas in Rows/Columns

  • Insert a formula in the first cell.
  • Drag the fill handle (small square at the corner of the cell) over the range you want to fill.

9. Using Table Structures

  1. Convert a range to a table: Select your data range and go to Insert > Table.
  2. Use structured references in formulas:
=SUM(Table1[Column1])
  • Table1 is your table name, and Column1 is the column in the table.

10. Auto-Update Formulas with New Data

Formulas within tables automatically expand to include new rows or columns inserted within the table, ensuring your calculations always use the latest data.

Conclusion

Utilize these formula implementations to handle newly inserted data effectively. Adjust range references as per your specific dataset requirements.

Efficiently Inserting, Deleting, and Resizing Rows and Columns in Excel

Inserting Rows and Columns to Enhance Data Analysis

  1. Insert Rows:

    • Select the row below where you want the new row.
    • Right-click and select "Insert".
    Sub InsertRowExample()
    Rows("5:5").Insert Shift:=xlDown
End Sub

  2. Insert Columns:

    • Select the column to the right of where you want the new column.
    • Right-click and select "Insert".
    Sub InsertColumnExample()
    Columns("C:C").Insert Shift:=xlToRight
End Sub

Deleting Rows and Columns without Affecting Data Integrity

  1. Delete Rows:

    • Select the row you want to delete.
    • Right-click and select "Delete".
    Sub DeleteRowExample()
    Rows("3:3").Delete Shift:=xlUp
End Sub

  2. Delete Columns:

    • Select the column you want to delete.
    • Right-click and select "Delete".
    Sub DeleteColumnExample()
    Columns("B:B").Delete Shift:=xlToLeft
End Sub

Resizing Rows and Columns for Better Data Fit

  1. Resize Rows:

    • Select the row(s) you want to resize.
    • Right-click and select "Row Height".
    Sub ResizeRowExample()
    Rows("2:2").RowHeight = 20
End Sub

  2. Resize Columns:

    • Select the column(s) you want to resize.
    • Right-click and select "Column Width".
    Sub ResizeColumnExample()
    Columns("A:A").ColumnWidth = 15
End Sub

Practical Formula Application: Combining Resized Data

  1. Sum Formula Usage:

    Sub ApplySumFormula()
    Range("D1").Formula = "=SUM(A1:C1)"
End Sub

  2. Average Formula Usage:

    Sub ApplyAverageFormula()
    Range("E1").Formula = "=AVERAGE(A1:C1)"
End Sub

  3. Count Formula Usage:

    Sub ApplyCountFormula()
    Range("F1").Formula = "=COUNT(A1:C1)"
End Sub

By utilizing these methods for inserting, deleting, and resizing rows and columns, data analysis in Excel can be more efficient, organized, and practical for real-life applications. The formulas applied make use of the newly organized data.

Advanced Tips and Tricks for Efficient Data Management in Excel

Efficiently Inserting Rows and Columns

Insert Multiple Rows or Columns

  1. Insert Multiple Rows at Once:

    • Select the number of rows you want to insert.
    • Right-click -> Insert.
    ' Select Row 3 to Row 5 to insert 3 rows above Row 3
Range("3:5").EntireRow.Insert

  2. Insert Multiple Columns at Once:

    • Select the number of columns you want to insert.
    • Right-click -> Insert.
    ' Select Column B to Column D to insert 3 columns before Column B
Range("B:D").EntireColumn.Insert

Efficiently Deleting Rows and Columns

Delete Multiple Rows or Columns

  1. Delete Multiple Rows:

    • Select the rows to delete.
    • Right-click -> Delete.
    ' Select Row 2 to Row 4 to delete these 3 rows
Range("2:4").EntireRow.Delete

  2. Delete Multiple Columns:

    • Select the columns to delete.
    • Right-click -> Delete.
    ' Select Column C to Column E to delete these 3 columns
Range("C:E").EntireColumn.Delete

Efficiently Resizing Rows and Columns

AutoFit Columns

  1. Automatically Resize Columns to Fit Content:

    • Double-click the boundary of the column header.
    ' AutoFit column A
Columns("A").AutoFit

  2. Automatically Resize Rows to Fit Content:

    • Double-click the boundary of the row header.
    ' AutoFit row 1
Rows("1").AutoFit

Manually Resize Rows and Columns

  1. Set Specific Height for Rows:

    • Drag the row boundary or use the Format menu.
    ' Set row height of Row 2 to 20
Rows("2").RowHeight = 20

  2. Set Specific Width for Columns:

    • Drag the column boundary or use the Format menu.
    ' Set column width of Column B to 15
Columns("B").ColumnWidth = 15

Efficient Data Analysis and Formula Application

Quick Formulas Entry and Navigation

  1. Fill Formulas Quickly Using Drag:

    • Enter formula in the first cell.
    • Drag the fill handle (small square at bottom-right corner).
    ' Enter formula in cell B2, autofill it down to B10
Range("B2").Formula = "=A2*2"
Range("B2").AutoFill Destination:=Range("B2:B10")

Navigate and Manage Large Data Sets

  1. Use Tables for Better Data Management:

    • Select data range and create a Table (Ctrl + T).
    ' Convert range A1:C10 to a Table
Range("A1:C10").ListObjects.Add(xlSrcRange, Range("A1:C10"), , xlYes)

Using Macros for Efficiency

Automate Repetitive Tasks

  1. VBA Macro to Insert Rows, Columns, Resize Cells Efficiently:

    • Tools -> Macros -> Record New Macro.
    Sub EfficientDataManagement()
    ' Insert 2 Rows at Row 3
    Rows("3:4").Insert
    
    ' Insert 2 Columns at Column B
    Columns("B:C").Insert
    
    ' Set Row Height and Column Width
    Rows("3:4").RowHeight = 18
    Columns("B:C").ColumnWidth = 12
    
    ' Autofit Columns A to C
    Columns("A:C").AutoFit
End Sub

Apply these tips and tricks directly in your Excel projects to enhance data management and analysis efficiency.

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