Office Compatibility Issues

Fix Missing Excel Drag-and-Drop Row and Column Handles

Maira Mehtab Sep 27, 2026 872 views

Question details

The user is unable to find or use the six-dot drag-and-drop handle to move rows and columns while using the desktop version of Microsoft Excel.

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to quickly move rows or columns within a spreadsheet using the visual drag handle.
Observed behavior: The six-dot drag handle is visible and functional in Excel for the Web but is completely missing in the Microsoft 365 desktop application.

Before you start

Verify whether you are using the desktop application or the web version of Excel, as this specific handle feature is currently platform-dependent.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Excel for the Web

Since the six-dot drag-and-drop enhancement is currently exclusive to the web version, using Excel Online is the most direct way to access this specific visual feature.

Microsoft often rolls out specific UI enhancements to its web applications before bringing them to desktop software. The six-dot row and column handle is currently one of these web-first features.

Open Excel Online

Navigate to office.com in your web browser and sign in with your Microsoft account.

Locate the Handle

Open your spreadsheet and hover your mouse pointer over any row or column header to reveal the six-dot drag handle.

Drag and Drop

Click and hold the six-dot handle, then drag the row or column to your desired new location.

Internet Requirement: An active internet connection is required to use Excel for the Web.

Solution 2

Move Rows and Columns in Excel Desktop

If you need to work offline within the Excel desktop application, you can move rows and columns using the traditional cut and insert method.

WPS Spreadsheet Solution

Easily Move Rows and Columns with WPS Office

If you are frustrated by inconsistent features across different versions of Microsoft Excel, WPS Office provides a lightweight, unified, and free alternative. You can smoothly move rows and columns in WPS Spreadsheet on your desktop using intuitive drag-and-drop shortcuts.

1. Select the Row or Column: Open your file in WPS Spreadsheet and click the row number or column letter to select the entire row or column.
2. Trigger the Move Tool: Hold down the 'Shift' key on your keyboard and move your mouse cursor to the border of the highlighted row or column until it turns into a four-sided arrow.
3. Drag to Destination: Click and drag the selection to your desired location within the spreadsheet, then release the mouse button and Shift key.

100% format compatibility with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) filesConsistent interface and features on desktop without relying on a web browserLightweight installation with blazing-fast offline performanceCompletely free to download and use

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the six-dot drag handle missing in the Microsoft 365 desktop app?

Microsoft currently limits this specific visual drag-and-drop enhancement to Excel for the Web. It has not yet been rolled out or fully integrated into the desktop versions of Microsoft 365 Excel.

Can I drag and drop rows in Excel desktop without the six-dot handle?

Yes. You can select an entire row or column, hold down the Shift key on your keyboard, hover over the border of the selection until a four-way arrow appears, and drag the row or column to a new location.

Will the six-dot drag handle feature be added to Excel desktop in the future?

While Microsoft frequently updates its 365 desktop applications to match web features, there is no official confirmation or timeline for when the six-dot handle will be added to the desktop app.

Does WPS Office support dragging and dropping rows or columns?

Yes. In WPS Spreadsheet, you can easily move rows and columns by selecting them, holding the Shift key, and dragging the selection's border to a new position within your document.

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