How to Move Rows in Excel
Excel has been one of the most popular forms of data manipulation for many years, with millions of computer users employing this spreadsheet every day for work or personal accounting needs. It is available for over 1.4 billion Windows-based PCs, which translates to about 45% of the world's population. Excel is a powerful tool for data analysis, back-and-forth editing, sorting, filtering, pivot tables, and charts. It is also one of the most popular tools in the business world with over four million people actively using it every day. Column and row headers, column letters, and row numbers are principal features of Excel spreadsheets. Using column letters and row numbers, you can address any cell — the main element in Excel.
The popularity of Excel among businesses has created an environment where there are several expensive editions to choose from that offer more features and financial analysis, including the "Professional" edition. This version of Excel is typically used in business settings where the functionality enables higher levels of data analysis, advanced graphing capabilities, and coordination with third-party applications. Excel is a spreadsheet program with a Microsoft Word-like interface that allows users to create and analyze data using formulas.
Let's take a look at how we can move rows or columns in Excel.
Move an entire row in Microsoft Excel
We can move rows or selected cells in Microsoft Excel. There are several methods to do this. Let's suppose we have these rows in Microsoft Excel and that we need to move a row. We can now examine how to get this done.
Drag and drop
Original data rows in Excel
Follow the following steps to move the row:
- Select the row that you want to move.
- Hold the Shift Key and take your cursor to the corner of the selected row. An icon of 4 sides will pop up.
Moving data using drag and drop
- Click on the edge (with the left mouse button) while still holding the Shift key.
- Move it to the row where you want this row to be shifted.
- When you see a bold line at the bottom of the row, release the mouse button. After that, release the Shift key too. It is important to keep the Shift key pressed until the last moment.
These steps can be followed for selected cells too. If you want to move the entire column, you can select the entire column and then follow the same steps.
Cut and paste method
The cut-and-paste method is an easy method for moving rows and columns. You can do it without the drag-and-drop method, and without inserting a new row or new column. Follow the steps to move an entire row or multiple adjacent rows in Excel.
- Select the row or multiple rows to be moved in Microsoft Excel.
- Press the Ctrl key and simultaneously press the X key to cut the selected row. (Ctrl + X)
Cutting the selected row
- Now go to the row where you want to move the row.
- Right-click on the row in Excel and from the right-click menu, select the insert cut cells option.
Pasting a row from the right-click menu
- It will paste the selected row and the other row will move upward.
The result after the cut-and-paste method
Using this method, it becomes very easy to move entire rows or columns in Excel. You can move columns too by following the same technique. Simply select columns and all operations will be performed on the selected column.
IronXL: C# Excel Library
IronXL is a .NET C# Excel Library for developers to edit and save Excel files. It has been designed to help developers quickly create, edit, and save Excel files without the need for Microsoft Excel to be installed.
The IronXL Excel library has been designed for .NET C# developers to edit and save Excel files without having Microsoft Excel installed on their machines. The IronXL Excel library is a powerful tool that can be used by any developer who needs to work with Excel spreadsheets in their projects. The IronXL Library includes many features that are not found in the standard Microsoft Excel libraries. These include:
- Visualization of data tables with column filtering, sorting, and grouping capabilities
- Data validation functionality
- Data extraction from an existing spreadsheet into a new one
- Interactive charts with customizations such as color schemes, titles, axis labels, etc.
- Ability to export charts as images or PDF files
- Customizable pivot tables for displaying complex datasets
Here is the code to add a row at the first position in the Excel file:
using IronXL;
static void Main(string[] args)
{
// Load the Excel file
WorkBook wb = WorkBook.Load("sample.xlsx");
// Get the worksheet named "Sheet1"
WorkSheet ws = wb.GetWorkSheet("Sheet1");
// Start from the last row and prepare to push all rows down by one
int j = ws.Rows.Count() + 1;
// Shift all existing rows down by one and set new row at the top
for (int i = 1; i <= ws.Rows.Count(); i++)
{
// If reached the first position, insert new row
if (j == 0)
{
ws.Rows[0].Value = "new row";
break;
}
// Assign values from row j to row (j + 1)
ws["A" + (j + 1)].Value = ws["A" + j].Value;
ws["B" + (j + 1)].Value = ws["B" + j].Value;
ws["C" + (j + 1)].Value = ws["C" + j].Value;
ws["D" + (j + 1)].Value = ws["D" + j].Value;
ws["E" + (j + 1)].Value = ws["E" + j].Value;
// Move to the previous row
j = j - 1;
}
// Save the changes to the Excel file
wb.SaveAs("sample.xlsx");
}
using IronXL;
static void Main(string[] args)
{
// Load the Excel file
WorkBook wb = WorkBook.Load("sample.xlsx");
// Get the worksheet named "Sheet1"
WorkSheet ws = wb.GetWorkSheet("Sheet1");
// Start from the last row and prepare to push all rows down by one
int j = ws.Rows.Count() + 1;
// Shift all existing rows down by one and set new row at the top
for (int i = 1; i <= ws.Rows.Count(); i++)
{
// If reached the first position, insert new row
if (j == 0)
{
ws.Rows[0].Value = "new row";
break;
}
// Assign values from row j to row (j + 1)
ws["A" + (j + 1)].Value = ws["A" + j].Value;
ws["B" + (j + 1)].Value = ws["B" + j].Value;
ws["C" + (j + 1)].Value = ws["C" + j].Value;
ws["D" + (j + 1)].Value = ws["D" + j].Value;
ws["E" + (j + 1)].Value = ws["E" + j].Value;
// Move to the previous row
j = j - 1;
}
// Save the changes to the Excel file
wb.SaveAs("sample.xlsx");
}
Imports IronXL
Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
' Load the Excel file
Dim wb As WorkBook = WorkBook.Load("sample.xlsx")
' Get the worksheet named "Sheet1"
Dim ws As WorkSheet = wb.GetWorkSheet("Sheet1")
' Start from the last row and prepare to push all rows down by one
Dim j As Integer = ws.Rows.Count() + 1
' Shift all existing rows down by one and set new row at the top
For i As Integer = 1 To ws.Rows.Count()
' If reached the first position, insert new row
If j = 0 Then
ws.Rows(0).Value = "new row"
Exit For
End If
' Assign values from row j to row (j + 1)
ws("A" & (j + 1)).Value = ws("A" & j).Value
ws("B" & (j + 1)).Value = ws("B" & j).Value
ws("C" & (j + 1)).Value = ws("C" & j).Value
ws("D" & (j + 1)).Value = ws("D" & j).Value
ws("E" & (j + 1)).Value = ws("E" & j).Value
' Move to the previous row
j = j - 1
Next i
' Save the changes to the Excel file
wb.SaveAs("sample.xlsx")
End Sub
This code will move the rows down and a new row will be placed at the first position of the document. The for
loop will be moving all rows down and adding the new row data at the first position. We can add the rows at the end of the document too. Let's take a look at how we can do it:
using IronXL;
static void Main(string[] args)
{
// Load the Excel file
WorkBook wb = WorkBook.Load("sample.xlsx");
// Get the worksheet named "Sheet1"
WorkSheet ws = wb.GetWorkSheet("Sheet1");
// Determine the new row number, just after the last current row
int i = ws.Rows.Count() + 1;
// Add a new row with specific values at the end
ws["A" + i].Value = "New Row";
ws["B" + i].Value = "New Row";
ws["C" + i].Value = "New Row";
ws["D" + i].Value = "New Row";
ws["E" + i].Value = "New Row";
// Save the changes to the Excel file
wb.SaveAs("sample.xlsx");
}
using IronXL;
static void Main(string[] args)
{
// Load the Excel file
WorkBook wb = WorkBook.Load("sample.xlsx");
// Get the worksheet named "Sheet1"
WorkSheet ws = wb.GetWorkSheet("Sheet1");
// Determine the new row number, just after the last current row
int i = ws.Rows.Count() + 1;
// Add a new row with specific values at the end
ws["A" + i].Value = "New Row";
ws["B" + i].Value = "New Row";
ws["C" + i].Value = "New Row";
ws["D" + i].Value = "New Row";
ws["E" + i].Value = "New Row";
// Save the changes to the Excel file
wb.SaveAs("sample.xlsx");
}
Imports IronXL
Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
' Load the Excel file
Dim wb As WorkBook = WorkBook.Load("sample.xlsx")
' Get the worksheet named "Sheet1"
Dim ws As WorkSheet = wb.GetWorkSheet("Sheet1")
' Determine the new row number, just after the last current row
Dim i As Integer = ws.Rows.Count() + 1
' Add a new row with specific values at the end
ws("A" & i).Value = "New Row"
ws("B" & i).Value = "New Row"
ws("C" & i).Value = "New Row"
ws("D" & i).Value = "New Row"
ws("E" & i).Value = "New Row"
' Save the changes to the Excel file
wb.SaveAs("sample.xlsx")
End Sub
This code will add the new row at the bottom of the document. You can see more details on how to add a new row in our how-to pages.
IronXL has a variety of pricing plans. You can even get a free trial — the IronXL free trial can be activated without any payment or card information. However, IronXL is free for development. Visit our licensing page for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I programmatically move a row to a new position in Excel?
You can use IronXL's C# methods to select the row you want to move and place it in a new position. This is done by manipulating the WorkBook
and WorkSheet
objects to rearrange rows.
What is the process to manually move rows in Excel?
To manually move rows in Excel, you can use the drag-and-drop method by selecting the row, holding the Shift key, and dragging it to the desired location. Alternatively, use the cut-and-paste method by pressing Ctrl + X and inserting the cut cells at the new location.
Can I automate Excel file manipulation without installing Excel?
Yes, IronXL allows you to create, edit, and save Excel files programmatically in C# without needing Microsoft Excel installed, providing a seamless automation experience.
How can I add a new row to the top of an Excel sheet programmatically?
Using IronXL, you can shift existing rows down by one and insert a new row at the first position using C# code, allowing for dynamic data input at the top of your Excel sheets.
Is it possible to append a new row to the end of an Excel sheet using C#?
Yes, by determining the last row number, you can use IronXL to append a new row at the end of the sheet by setting values for this new row using C# code.
What are some advanced data manipulation features available with IronXL?
IronXL provides advanced features such as data visualization, validation, and extraction, as well as the creation of interactive charts and customizable pivot tables, all accessible through C# programming.
How does IronXL support developers with free options?
IronXL offers a free trial and allows free usage for development purposes, with detailed licensing information available on their official website.