Insert Row/Column Option disabled in Excel 365

Question

Hi

In Excel, the insert Row/Column Option is been shown as disabled. This is not a workbook specific problem but exist in all workbooks even the blank news ones that I create. I have tried the following as mentioned in other threads but the options is still disabled :

1.      Hold Ctrl key to launch Excel in safe mode, this can narrow down whether there’s any third-party add-ins affecting that. If the issue disappears in the safe mode, you may need to manually disable all add-ins then add them 1 by 1 to narrow down which is the one affecting that.

2.      If the suggestions above don’t work, you can refer to this article: Repair an Office application to repair your Office.

When I started in safe mode, I could see the insert option back. Hence, I tried disabling all the COM Add-ins via following steps:

1.      Click the File tab, click Options, and then click the Add-Ins category.

2.      In the Manage box, click COM Add-ins, and then click Go.

3.      The COM Add-Ins dialog box appears.

4.      In the Add-Ins available box, clear the check box next to the add-in that you want to remove, and then click OK.

5.      Restart the application, but do not use Safe mode.

6.      Repeat until you've isolated the add-in that's causing the issue.

The only issue with the above steps was that one Add-in 'McAfee DLP Office Addin' even after disabling would re enable itself when I restart the application.

Apart from this I disabled all the other Add-ins but couldn't get my beloved insert option back.

What do you suggest I should do further?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Hi Shikhar_1416,

Thanks for sharing updates with us and I really appreciate your effort and your precious time doing those tests. 

It seems you are able to insert Row/Column via Home Ribbon tab and using the shortcut key. The issue only occur when you right-click on cell. Based on my test in same Excel version( as like yours) I can insert via right-click on cell, see image below for your reference:

![Image](https://learn-attachment.microsoft.com/api/attachments/a7c089e2-1301-4bec-a5cd-af39b75b13e7?platform=QnA"https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/929135/how-to-perform-a-clean-boot-in-windows" rel="ugc nofollow">perform a clean boot in Windowsto determine whether a background program is interfering with Office program.

If all suggestions above don’t work, you can try uninstall Office, then reinstall to check if the same problem will occur.

I appreciate your understanding and stay safe!!

Best Regards

Waqas Muhammad

Answer 2

Sometimes it might be possible due to configuration corruption. Here is what you need to do.

1.Close all excel sheets and open a fresh instance of excel.

2.Press Alt+F11 (This will open the VBA Editor)

2.Paste the following into the white area and press the green play button (Run):

Sub Reset_Cells()

CommandBars("Cell").Reset

End Sub

Or

Copy and paste the following code into the empty module pane on the right nd run the code:

Sub Reset_Cells()

CommandBars("Cell").Reset

CommandBars("Row").Reset

CommandBars("Column").Reset

End Sub

Thank you Waqas. This solved my issue.

Answer 3

Hi Shikhar_1416,

As per your description, it seems that you cannot inset rows and columns in Excel. If so, we have tested it with the latest version of Excel and we cannot reproduce the same situation as yours.

Per your mentioned description, it seems disappear when you open your Excel file in safe mode. Mostly if issue disappear in safe mode it might be possible the issue could be caused by the incompatible add-ins.

May I know, does the insert Row/Column Option is disable in both (home tab ribbon and when you right click on a cell to insert Row/Column)?

To insert a new row/column, have you tried select close to the row and/or column and press CTRL + SHIFT = (equal sign)?

Since you mentioned this issue happened across all the exiting files and even new created Excel file it seems the issue is more related to the Excel app itself or your computer environment.

As you mention, “ The only issue with the above steps was that one Add-in 'McAfee DLP Office Addin' even after disabling would re enable itself”  the Inactivating an add-in does not remove the add-in from your computer. Try to remove the add-in from your computer, you can temporarily uninstall it and check the outcomes. It will help for us to narrow down your issue to check whether this issue cause by this add-ins.

In the meantime, to confirm whether this is a bug in a specific version, please provide us the version information. To check version: Open Excel>File>Account>Product Information and capture a full screenshot and share here (Please mask your private message for protecting your private message) and we will be tested on that version and verify the result with you.

Also, if you don’t mind could you please upload a screenshot of “the insert Row/Column Option is been shown as disabled” for our reference.

I appreciate your understanding and stay safe!!

Best Regards

Waqas Muhammad

Answer 4

Hi Waqas

Thank you for your reply.

I can confirm that I am able to insert Rows and column using the following:

• Insert Button on the Home Ribbon Tab
• Using the shortcut key CTRL + SHIFT = (equal sign)

However, I am not able to insert by right clicking a row/column/Cell and choosing insert. I have attached the screenshot for your reference:

As requested please find the below screenshot:

Thanks!

Answer 5

Hi Shikhar_1416,

You are always welcome sir.

Thanks for your valuable feedback, glad to know my replies helped you. Comments and feedback from our customers really motivate us to perform better and better and provided as much help as possible. I appreciate your kind words.

If there is any issue related with the Office applications in the future, please feel free to post back in this community.

We will be here for help.

Have a good day and stay safe 😊

Best Regards,

Waqas Muhammad