All shortcuts
Insert Rows & Columns in Google Sheets
Windows
Ctrl+Shift+=
Mac
⌘+Shift+=
In Excel, Ctrl + Shift + = inserts cells, rows, or columns based on your selection — one of those shortcuts you use fifty times a day. Sheets uses a different combo and often routes you through a menu.
XLKeys maps the Excel version into Google Sheets: select a row or column (Shift + Space or Ctrl + Space), hit Ctrl + Shift + =, and the insert happens instantly.
Excel vs. Google Sheets vs. XLKeys
| Where | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Excel | Ctrl+Shift+= (Ctrl+Plus) |
| Google Sheets (native) | Ctrl+Alt+= |
| Google Sheets + XLKeys | Ctrl+Shift+= |
Sheets’ native combo is Ctrl + Alt + = (and it opens a menu in some cases). Excel hands type Ctrl + Shift + =, which XLKeys makes work directly.
How to use it
- Select a whole row (Shift + Space) or column (Ctrl + Space) — or several.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + = (⌘ + Shift + = on Mac).
- New rows/columns are inserted before the selection — one per selected row/column.
Frequently asked questions
Related shortcuts
Make Google Sheets feel like Excel
Install XLKeys to use insert rows & columns and 150+ other Excel-style shortcuts, Alt-key sequences, formula auditing, Goal Seek, and Sensitivity Tables in Google Sheets.