How to Add Microsoft Excel Toolbar Buttons – Insert and Delete Rows and Columns

One of the tasks I do very often when working in Microsoft Excel is to add a row, and less often, a column. I like having it on my toolbar as a button because then I can do multiple rows very quickly.

I’m not fond of having to use the menus and prefer to use keystrokes or mouse clicks. I haven’t discovered a single keystroke to insert rows, although you can do the SEQUENCE Alt, I, R to add a row, and Alt, I, C to add a column.

1. CUSTOMIZE - As in Word, the way to change a toolbar is by customizing it. Right click on a toolbar with your mouse and choose the last option ‘Customize’, or using the menus select Tools, Customize (Alt, T, C).

2. COMMANDS – Choose the second tab at the top of the Customize window: ‘Commands.’

3. INSERT – Choose the fourth category ‘Insert.’ The commands associated with the Insert menu will appear on the right of the window.
(picture here)

4. ROWS – find the icon next to the word ‘Rows’. This icon is different from the delete Row icon. Notice the difference now: Insert Row has a blue box centered between and to the right of two white boxes, and there’s an arrow beside the blue box pointing in towards the white boxes. The Delete Rows icon has a blue box sandwiched between two white boxes, the blue box is a little wider than the white ones, and the arrow is pointing outward. You won’t find the Delete Rows button in the Insert commands. We’ll do that later.

5. DRAG and DROP - Place your cursor on the icon next to ‘Rows’ and left click, holding down the mouse button and then dragging the icon to your toolbar. Let go of the icon and it will appear on your toolbar.

6. COLUMNS – with the Customize, Commands, Insert view still open on your screen, choose the icon next to the word ‘Columns’. This icon has a blue square below and between two white squares, with an arrow pointing upwards.

7. DRAG and DROP - Place your cursor on the icon next to ‘Columns’ and left click, holding down the mouse button and then dragging the icon to your toolbar. Let go of the icon and it will appear on your toolbar.

8. EDIT – To get the buttons for deleting Rows and Columns, you need to change the Category from ‘Insert’ to ‘Edit’ on the left side of your Customize window. Click ‘Edit.’

9. DELETE ROWS – Find the icon next to the words ‘Delete Rows.’ Unlike the insert rows icon, this one is far down the edit command menu, scroll until you find it. The Delete Rows icon has a blue box sandwiched between two white boxes, the blue box is a little wider than the white ones, and the arrow is pointing outward.

10. DRAG and DROP - Place your cursor on the icon next to ‘Delete Rows’ and left click, holding down the mouse button and then dragging the icon to your toolbar. Let go of the icon and it will appear on your toolbar.

11. DELETE COLUMNS – Just under the Delete Rows command you should find the Delete Columns icon. A long blue rectangle is situated between two white squares with an arrow pointed downward.

12. DRAG and DROP - Place your cursor on the icon next to ‘Delete Columns’ and left click, holding down the mouse button and then dragging the icon to your toolbar. Let go of the icon and it will appear on your toolbar.

13. Close the Customize window by pressing the Close button at the bottom right.

You’ll have noticed other buttons, like insert cell and delete cell, insert sheet, and delete sheet. Add them if you do those activities often. Delete Cell is actually pretty handy. I don’t use the other ones.