How to Move Cells Down in Excel (7 Methods)

We can move cells in any direction in Microsoft Excel. When we need to add new data in upper cells, usually do this by moving the present cells down. As a result, we get empty upper cells and insert new data as per our requirement. In this tutorial, we are going to discuss how to move cells down in Excel with the proper illustration.


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7 Methods to Move Cells Down in Excel

We will describe 7 methods to move cells down in Excel.

For explanation, we will use the following dataset.


1. Move Cells Down by Dragging

Dragging is the simplest and least time-consuming method to move cells down in Excel. We want to have two empty rows after the heading. So, we need to move Cells B5:C9 downwards. Follow the steps below for this.

Step 1:

  • Now, place the cursor at the edge of the selection area, like the image. A four-directional arrow will appear.

Move Cells Down by Dragging

Step 2:

  • When the arrow appears, press the left button of the mouse.
  • Move the cursor downwards. When moving downwards corresponding range or cells will show to move the selected data.

Move Cells Down by Dragging

Step 3:

  • Go to the expected downward cell location and leave the mouse button.

Look at the dataset. Our selected data has moved downwards.

We can use the right button of the mouse instead of the left button. Other additional facilities will get in this way.

  • Follow Step 1 and Step 2. Use the right button of the mouse in place of the left button.
  • After dragging the cursor, left the mouse button.
  • A list will appear. Choose to Move here from the list.

Move Cells Down by Dragging

Look at the dataset again.

Data moved downwards. Using the right button, we get additional facilities like copy data.

Read More: How to Shift Cells Down in Excel (5 Easy Ways)


2. Use Ribbon Options to Drag Cells Down

We can use a simple ribbon option to move cells down in Excel. Here, we want to input new data in row 6. So, need to shift the data from Row 6 to Row 7.

  • First, select cells of the desired row.
  • Go to Cells group from the Home tab.
  • Choose Insert Sheet Rows from the Insert group.

Use Ribbon Options to Move Cells Down

Look a the dataset.

Data of Row 6 to rest are shifted downwards.

If need to shift the cells more than 1 row down, we can do that also.

Here, we will shift our data 2 rows down. So, select 2 rows from where we like to shift down data and follow the steps mentioned above.

Use Ribbon Options to Move Cells Down

We shifted our data successfully.

Read More: How to Move All Cells Down in Excel (5 Methods)


3. Additional Excel Ribbon Shortcut to Shift Cells Down

We can apply the ribbon shortcut in another way. In this way, we can shift down single cells and the entire row both.

Step 1:

  • First, select Cell B6.
  • Go to the Cells group from the Home tab.
  • Choose Insert Cells from the Insert group.

Ribbon Shortcut to Shift Cells Down in Excel

Step 2:

  • A dialog box will appear. Choose Shift cells down from the dialog box and then click OK.

Ribbon Shortcut to Shift Cells Down in Excel

Now, look at the dataset.

Cell B6 is shifted to 1 step down. The whole row has not shifted here.

Step 3:

  • After selecting Cell B6, follow Step 1 again.
  • Choose the Entire row option from the dialog box.
  • Then press OK.

Ribbon Shortcut to Shift Cells Down in Excel

Again, look at the dataset.

So, the entire row has shifted down here.

Read More: What is cell in Excel definition


4. Use Context Menu to Move Cells Down

This context menu can move both cells and row downwards.

Step 1:

  • Select Cell B6 tab.
  • Press the right button of the mouse.
  • The Context Menu will appear. Choose Insert from the menu.

Context Menu to Move Cells Down in Excel

Now, a dialog box will appear. We have two options to move downwards. Shift cells down moves only a single cell and the Entire row option does for the whole row.

Step 2:

  • We will shift the cell first. Choose the Shift cells down and press OK. The result is attached to the image.

Context Menu to Move Cells Down in Excel

Step 3:

  • To shift down the whole row, select the Entire row option and press OK.

Context Menu to Move Cells Down in Excel

So, we showed both shiftings using the Context Menu.

We have a keyboard shortcut to call the Context Menu. That is to press the Shift+F10 keys.

Read More: How to shift cells in Excel


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5. Keyboard Shortcut to Move Cells Down

We can move cells down using keyboard shortcuts in Excel. This keyboard shortcut provides has options to move both cells and rows.

Step 1:

  • Select Cell B7 first.
  • Press Ctrl+Shift+= from the keyboard.
  • A dialog box will appear now. We have 2 options in the dialog box for shift down.

Keyboard Shortcut to Move a Cells Down

Step 2:

  • Choose Shift cells down from the box and then press OK. The result is attached in the following image.

Here, only cells are moved down. To move the row follow the next step.

Step 3:

  • Choose the Entire row option from the dialog box. Then press OK.

Read More: How to Move Selected Cells in Excel with Keyboard (4 Methods)


6. Cut-Paste Shortcut to Move Cells Down

We can use the Cut-paste shortcut to move data downwards in Excel.

Step 1:

  • First, select the range B5:C9.
  • Then, press Ctrl+X.

Cut-Paste Shortcut to Move Cells Down in Excel

By this, we cut the data of that range.

Step 2:

  • Now, go to Cell B7.
  • Press Ctrl+V to paste the data.

Cut-Paste Shortcut to Move Cells Down in Excel

Our data is moved downwards. By this method, we can move data in any direction.


7. Cut-Paste Clipboard Option to Move Cells Down

We have ribbon options to cut and paste data using the clipboard options.

Step 1:

  • First, select range B5:C9 to move them.
  • Then, choose Cut from the Clipboard group.

Cut-Paste Clipboard Option to Move Cells Down

Step 2:

  • Now, go to Cell B7 where we will move data.
  • Choose the Paste option from the Clipboard group.

Cut-Paste Clipboard Option to Move Cells DownNow, look at the dataset.

Cells have moved downwards.

Read More: How to Drag Cells in Excel Using Keyboard (5 Smooth Ways)


Conclusion

In this article, we discussed how to move cells down in Excel. We applied keyboard shortcuts, mouse shortcuts, ribbons options to perform this task. Please have a look at our website Exceldemy.com and give your suggestions in the comment box.


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Alok Paul

Alok Paul

Hello, this is Alok. I am working as an Excel & VBA Content Developer at Exceldemy. I want to provide solutions to various Excel-based problems. I completed my study at East West University major in Telecommunications Engineering. I love traveling, reading books, playing cricket.

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