If you are a keyboard ninja, then you hate having to move your hands from the keyboard for any reason unless there is no other option. Today’s SuperUser Q&A post provides multiple ways to help a frustrated reader keep his hands on the keyboard while using Microsoft Excel.
Today’s Question & Answer session comes to us courtesy of SuperUser—a subdivision of Stack Exchange, a community-driven grouping of Q&A web sites.
The Question
SuperUser reader jstricker wants to know how to insert new rows in Excel using a keyboard instead of a mouse:
Is there an easy way to insert new rows in Excel using a keyboard?
The Answer
SuperUser contributors jstricker, ATG, KRyan, BillOer, and assylias have the answer for us. First up, jstricker:
Followed by the answer from ATG:
Option 1
With a single cell selected, hit Shift + Space to select the row. Hit Control + Shift + + (Plus Sign) to insert a row above the current row.
Option 2
With a single cell selected, hit Control + Shift + + (Plus Sign) to insert a row. Hit Enter to accept the default of Shift Cells Down.
If inserting many rows at once, I think the first option is the best since you can repeat the second step without having to re-select the row.
Then the answer from KRyan:
Press Alt + I (Insert), then press R (Row).
On personal computers, use the Keyboard Right-Click Key to emulate a right-click on the current selection.
Additional note from ATG: Substituting C for R will insert a new column.
Followed by the answer from BillOer:
And our final answer from assylias:
Have something to add to the explanation? Sound off in the comments. Want to read more answers from other tech-savvy Stack Exchange users? Check out the full discussion thread here.
Shift + Space to select the current row. Keyboard Right-Click Key + I to insert a row.
(*) The Keyboard Right-Click Key looks like this:
