Drag and Insert in Excel (Ctrl + Shift + Drag)
The Drag and Insert shortcut allows you to move selected cells into a new location, shifting existing cells downward or to the right, without overwriting any data.
Keyboard Shortcut
| Windows | Mac |
|---|---|
| Hold Ctrl + Shift + Drag | Hold Cmd + Shift + Drag |
What Does This Shortcut Do?
Holding Ctrl + Shift (Cmd + Shift on Mac) while dragging a selection inserts the cells into the target location and pushes existing cells down or right, depending on where you drop the selection.
How to Use the Shortcut
- Select the cells you want to insert
- Press and hold Ctrl + Shift (Windows) or Cmd + Shift (Mac)
- Click and drag the selection to the desired location
- Release the mouse button first, then release the keys
Tips & Best Practices
- Ensure the target area has enough space to avoid overwriting important data
- Use this with visible gridlines to see where the cells will be inserted
- Combine with undo (Ctrl + Z) if placement is incorrect
FAQ
- Q: Can I insert multiple non-adjacent ranges?
- No, Ctrl + Shift + Drag works only on a single contiguous selection.
- Q: Will this work in filtered tables?
- Yes, but only visible cells are considered for shifting; hidden rows may affect placement.