Excel insert context sub menu missing

Question

Hi,
When highlighting a column or row, I used to right click to get to insert options. Then I would click in the arrow to offer options such as insert a row above or insert a row below. Same for columns.. right click, insert and then I could choose insert column left or right. Very useful.
Now, when I right click the selected row or column, insert does not offer options... I have not been able to restore that older context menu that I have used for years. What happen and how to fix it?

I am using
windows 11 pro version 25H2
Office 365
excel
Microsoft® Excel® for Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2602 Build 16.0.19725.20126) 64-bit

Answer 1

Hello !

Were you using Excel on the web before? The menu you're describing is only available on the online version of Excel.The desktop version of Excel always inserts rows above and columns on the left.

If you want a row below, select the row below and insert a row.
If you want a column on the right, select the column on the right and insert a column.

Please let me know if you have any other question !

Answer 2

First of all. Thank you for your prompt reply.

I dont think I was using excel web, because that is uncommon to me. My normal context is that I use excel in my pc all the time. I dont like excel web because it does not have as many features as the local excel.

I also know that I have used that for years. I used to insert 20 rows across 100 rows with data coming from a form. I needed to insert one blank row after each block of four rows with data. I would control click to select 20 specific rows from the set of hundred and then I would just "insert below the row" and all the blank rows would be placed where I wanted them all at once.

I get that I could do that adapting to the "rows are always inserted above" but I just wanted to find what I did before. If there is not a better answer or option, I guess I will do that.

There is a slight chance that I have done that in google sheets or similar and getting confused (because I do the previous procedure every now and then... not frequently(... but I use excel so much that I dont think I am getting mixed up.

I look forward for your input.

Thank you for your attention

Answer 3

Your answer does not solve the problem. What is missing is not insert row or column option. What is missing is the option to choose Insert row above or insert row below. Also for columns the option to ins column to the left or insert column to the right is still missing. I enjoyed that context of submenu or many years now it seems to be gone.

Answer 4

The context menu entry for inserting rows/columns in Excel has changed, but the insert functionality is still available.

To insert rows or columns using the ribbon instead of the old submenu:

1. Select any cell in the row or column where the insert is needed.
2. Go to Home > Insert.
3. Choose:
   • Insert Sheet Rows to insert a row.
   • Insert Sheet Columns to insert a column.

Alternatively, for a quicker mouse-only method:

• To insert a row: select any cell in the row, then use Home > Insert Sheet Rows.
• To insert a column: select any cell in the column, then use Home > Insert Sheet Columns.

Right‑click still supports basic Insert and Delete, but the older “insert above/below” and “insert left/right” submenu is not described in the current documentation. The supported approach is to use the ribbon commands above.

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References:

• Insert or delete rows and columns in Excel