4 Easy Ways to Extend a Table in Excel

When working with raw data, there’s few better tools out there than Microsoft Excel. From simple formulas to complex pivot tables, Excel makes analyzing data much easier. Many of this starts with a simple table though, and knowing how to work with them is key to visually presenting your data.

Tables in excel are easy to create and can even be easily modified when new data is available. You’ll likely find yourself needing to resize or extend a table in Excel more often than not. In this article, we’ll show you 4 different ways to do just that.

4 Methods to Extend a Table in Excel

Extend Table by Typing

The easiest way to extend a table in Excel is to simply start typing in a cell below or to the right of it. Excel will automatically create a new row or column to fit the new data.

1. Start typing in the cell to the right of the table’s last column to add a new column.
   
   
2. Start typing in the cell below the table’s last row to add a new row.
   
   

Extend Table by Dragging

Another way to extend a table in Excel is to simply drag the small arrow at the bottom right of the table. The table will resize to fit the cells you drag over.

1. Locate the small blue arrow at the bottom right hand corner of your table.
   
2. Click and drag the arrow down for more rows, or to the right for more columns.
   
   

Resize a Table via Right Click

You can also right click inside the table and add a single row or column at a time.

1. Right click anywhere inside the table.
2. Hover over Insert.
   
3. Select either Table Columns to the Left / Right for more columns or Table Rows Above / Below for more rows.
   

Resize a Table with Table Tools

The final approach is probably the longest method, but does provide some additional table options if you need them. The Table Tools tab allows you to resize a table via the Resize Table button.

1. Click anywhere inside your table so that the Table Tools tab appears.
   
2. Click the Design tab under Table Tools.
   
3. Select Resize Table at the far left of the ribbon.
   
4. Select the first cell of your table and then drag out to the desired new table size.
   
5. Click OK.
   

Extending a Table in Excel for the Web

The above methods should work in Excel for the web, but you can also resize a table manually in the Table Design tab.

1. Click anywhere inside the table so that the Table Design tab appears.
2. Click the Table Design tab and select Resize Table at the far left of the ribbon.
   
3. Type in a new range of cells for your table and click Ok.