Unit 8. Insert and eliminate elements (I)

We are going to look at the different ways to insert and delete rows, columns, cells, and sheets, operations that can be very useful when we have an existing book and we want to alter it, or if we are halfway through the design of a sheet and we realize that we have forgoten to place a row or a column.

Insert rows in a sheet

On many occasions after creating a worksheet we will realize that we are missing some row in between the data already introduced.

To add a row, follow these steps:

Select the Insert menu.

Select the Rows option.

All the rows beneath the new one will move down one position.

In the case of not selecting any row, Excel will take the row that the curser is situated in as the selected row.

If you want to add various rows, it is enough to select, in the first case, as many rows as you choose to add.

Adding rows to our worksheet does not make the number of rows vary, there continue to be 65536 rows, what happens is that the last ones are deleted - as many as were added. If you try to add rows and Excel does'nt allow you, make sure that the last rows contain some data.

When we insert rows with a different format to the default format, the button appears with which to select the format for the new row.

In order to select one format or another, click on the button and a dialog box like the one to the right will appear where we can select whether the new row's format will be the same as above, same as below, or to clear the formatting.

It is not obligatory to use this button, and if it bothers you don't concern yourself as it will disappear as we continue working with the worksheet.

Insert columns in a sheet

Excel2003 also permits us to add columns, in the same way as rows.

To add a new column follow these next steps:

Select the column in front of the one that you want to add another, as columns are always added to the left of the one selected.

Select the Insert menu.

Select the Columns option.

All the columns to the right of the new one have moved up a position.

In the case of not having selected any column, Excel will take the column that we are situated in as the selected column.

If you want to add various columns, it is enough to select as many columns, in the first step, as columns to add.

Adding columns to our worksheet does not mean that the number of columns varies, there continue to be 256 columns, and what happens again is that the last columns are deleted, as many as were added. If you attempt to add columns and Excel does not permit it, make sure that the last columns contain some data.

When we insert columns with a differnt format to the default format, the button appears with which you can select the format for the new columns.

In order to select one format or another, clic on the button and a dialogue box like the one to the right will appear where we can select whether the new row's format will be the same as above, same as below, or to clear the formatting.

It is not obligatory to use this button, and if it bothers you don't concern yourself as it will disappear as we continue working with the worksheet.

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