How to Swap Two Rows in Excel with Drag and Drop in WPS Spreadsheets
Question details
The user wants to reorder rows in an Excel-compatible spreadsheet by swapping the positions of two rows using drag and drop instead of copying and pasting.
- Product
- WPS Spreadsheets
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- The user is editing a workbook and needs to move or swap entire rows or individual cells into a different position without using cut, copy, and paste.
- Observed behavior
- There is no dedicated Swap Rows command; rows or selected cells must be repositioned manually with the Shift-drag method.
Open the workbook in WPS Spreadsheets and confirm that row headers are visible. If the row you are moving contains formulas or linked references, duplicate the sheet first so you can verify the result after dragging.
Swap or move entire rows with Shift-drag
Use this method when you want to reorder whole rows quickly and keep the row content intact.
WPS Spreadsheets does not have a dedicated Swap Rows button, but Shift-drag performs a direct move operation. This avoids inserting blank rows or using cut and paste.
Click the row number on the left side of the sheet to select the entire row you want to move.
Move the pointer over the border of the selected row until the cursor becomes a moving arrow, then hold down Shift and drag the row upward or downward.
When a thick horizontal insertion line appears between the destination rows, release the mouse button first and then release Shift.
Move individual cells with Shift-drag
Use this method when only specific cells need to change position without affecting the whole row.
Reorder rows in WPS Spreadsheets without cut and paste
Use WPS Spreadsheets to move rows and selected cells directly with the Shift-drag method. It opens Excel workbooks, preserves formatting and formulas, and lets you complete the task in a familiar spreadsheet interface.
- 1. Open your workbook: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open the Excel workbook you want to edit.
- 2. Select the row: Click the row header number on the left to select the row you want to move.
- 3. Shift-drag to swap: Hold Shift, drag the row border until the insertion line appears between the destination rows, then release the mouse button and Shift.
- 4. Verify formulas: Check that the moved row still displays the correct values and that any cell references update as expected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does WPS Spreadsheets have a dedicated Swap Rows command?
No, there is no dedicated Swap Rows button. Select the row header, hold Shift, drag the row border to the destination insertion line, and release the mouse button before Shift.
Can I swap individual cells instead of entire rows?
Yes. Select the cells, hold Shift, drag the selection border to the new location, and release when the insertion outline shows the desired position.
Why is Shift-drag copying instead of moving?
If you drag without holding Shift or release Shift before the mouse button, the action may copy or insert cells. Hold Shift until after you release the mouse button.
Will formulas adjust after moving rows?
Cell references usually adjust when you move cells with Shift-drag, but you should verify totals and linked formulas after reordering.
Does this method work in Microsoft Excel too?
Yes, the Shift-drag row moving method also works in Excel. WPS Spreadsheets provides the same Excel-compatible behavior for XLSX and XLS workbooks.
