Google Sheets – Split Row into Multiple Rows

There is no default way to do it through UI of Google Spreadsheets. However, I have written a small script that you can use on your Google Spreadsheet to add rows.

function addRows(){
  var sheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSheet();
  var rows = sheet.getDataRange();
  var numRows = rows.getNumRows();

  for (var i = 1; i <= numRows*2 - 1; i+=2) {
   sheet.insertRowAfter(i);
  }
}

To use this code, follow these steps.

In Google Spreadsheets, navigate to Tools > Script Manager.

Click New in the next window, a blank code.gs file will be opened. Copy and Paste the above code in Code.gs and save the project.

Come back to the tab that contains your original document. Open script manager again if it is not already open. Click Refresh at top right. Now you will see the function "addRows". In the screenshot you will see other function that I have created earlier, but you will only see one unless you already created some other function. Select it and click Run. Now rows will be inserted in your spreadsheet at once.

Use a custom function.

Code

function result(range) {
  var splitCol = 1; // split on column B
  var output2 = [];
  for(var i=0, iLen=range.length; i<iLen; i++) {
    var s = range[i][splitCol].split("\n");    
    for(var j=0, jLen=s.length; j<jLen; j++) {
      var output1 = []; 
      for(var k=0, kLen=range[0].length; k<kLen; k++) {
        if(k == splitCol) {
          output1.push(s[j]);
        } else {
          output1.push(range[i][k]);
        }
      }
      output2.push(output1);
    }    
  }
  return output2;
}

Explanation

The script evaluates each row, and particularly the second column of each row (in JavaScript arrays are zero based, so column 2 corresponds to index 1 of the array). It splits the contents of that cell, into multiple values and uses the "\n" as delimiter (line feed). After that it adds the existing info to an array and only add the individual results, when it hits index 1 (k == 1). The newly prepared row is then added to another array, that's being returned to show the result.

Screenshot

data

result

Example

I've created an example file for you: multi-line cells into new rows.

• Add the script under Tools > Script editor.
• Save the script, the name doesn't matter.
• Use the custom function in a cell just like a built in (see the screenshot above).