04 Easy Methods How to Delete Rows/Columns/Cells in Excel

04 Easy Methods: How to Delete Rows/Columns/Cells in Excel?


Three questions in every Excel user’s mind – How to Delete Rows/Columns/Cells in Excel?

While old data are no longer needed or want to remove empty rows or columns, then every Excel user facing three types of common problems: How to delete rows in Excel? How to delete columns in Excel? How to delete cells in Excel? In these situations, we are deleting the entire cell, column, or row, not just the contents of the cell to leave empty cells. After deleting cells, columns, or rows, any affected formulas adjust the cell references automatically. If not, manually check and change the cell references in the formulas. 

(01) HOW TO DELETE ROWS IN EXCEL?

We can delete rows in excel either in 04 methods. 

But before deleting rows, we should select a single row any of the following 02 ways: 

⇒ WAY 1: Click in any cell within the row we want to delete, then press Shift+Spacebar which will select the entire row. 

⇒ WAY 2: Alternatively, select a row by clicking the row number (mouse pointer changes to a thick right arrow).

If we want to delete the sequential rows, then press the Shift+Down arrow (⬇)  or Shift+Up arrow (⬆).

If we want to delete the non-contiguous rows, then continuously press the Ctrl Key and click the row number only by one. 

➢ METHOD 1: EXCEL DELETE ROW SHORTCUT CTRL+ – (MINUS) 

 After selecting an entire row or multiple rows we want to delete, press Ctrl+- (minus) which will delete the entire row(s).

Note: hold the Ctrl key and then press the – (minus) key.

HOW TO DELETE ROWS IN EXCEL_3

■ Note: We had detail discussed on CTRL shortcuts in a separate tutorial, suggested you read this tutorial: 90+ Best Excel CTRL Shortcuts | Useful Keyboard Shortcuts |

➢ METHOD 2: EXCEL DELETE ROW SHORTCUT ALT+H+D+D

Alternatively, after selecting an entire row or multiple rows we want to delete, press Alt+H+D+D (sequentially press Alt, H, D, D) which will delete the entire row(s). 

HOW TO DELETE ROWS IN EXCEL_4

■ Note: We had detail discussed on ALT shortcuts in a separate tutorial, suggested you read this tutorial: 80+ Excel Shortcuts with ALT Key || Best Hotkey of Keyboard Shortcuts

➢ METHOD 3: EXCEL DELETE ROWS BY USING THE MOUSE RIGHT-CLICK

After selecting an entire row or multiple rows we want to delete, right-click anywhere on the selected row(s) and then choose Delete from the shortcut menu.

HOW TO DELETE ROWS IN EXCEL_2

➢ METHOD 4: EXCEL DELETE ROWS BY USING THE RIBBON

After selecting an entire row or multiple rows we want to delete ➪ Go to the Home tab ➪  Click the ‘Delete’ down arrow in the Cells group ➪ Select ‘Delete Sheet Rows’ which will delete the row(s).

HOW TO DELETE ROWS IN EXCEL_1

(02) HOW TO DELETE COLUMNS IN EXCEL?

Similarly, We can delete columns in excel either in 04 methods. 

But before deleting columns, we should select them from any of the following 02 ways: 

⇒ WAY 1: Click in any cell within the column we want to delete, then press Ctrl+Spacebar which will select the entire column. 

⇒ WAY 2: Alternatively, select a column by clicking column letter (mouse pointer changes to a thick down arrow).

If we want to delete the sequential columns, then press the Shift+Right arrow (➡)  or Shift+Left arrow (⬅).

If we want to delete the non-contiguous columns, then continuously press the Ctrl Key and click the column header only by one. 

➢ METHOD 1: EXCEL DELETE COLUMN SHORTCUT CTRL+ – (MINUS) 

 After selecting an entire column or multiple columns we want to delete, press Ctrl+- (minus) which will delete the entire column(s).

Note: hold the Ctrl key and then press the – (minus) key.

HOW TO DELETE COLUMNS IN EXCEL_2

➢ METHOD 2: EXCEL DELETE COLUMN SHORTCUT ALT+H+D+D

Alternatively, after selecting an entire column or multiple columns we want to delete, press Alt+H+D+D (sequentially press Alt, H, D, D) which will delete the entire column(s). 

HOW TO DELETE COLUMNS IN EXCEL_3

➢ METHOD 3: DELETE COLUMNS IN EXCEL USING THE MOUSE RIGHT-CLICK

After selecting an entire column or multiple columns we want to delete, right-click anywhere on the selected column(s), and then choose Delete from the shortcut menu.

HOW TO DELETE COLUMNS IN EXCEL_4

➢ METHOD 4: DELETE COLUMNS IN EXCEL USING THE RIBBON

After selecting an entire column or multiple columns we want to delete ➪ go to the Home tab ➪  Click the ‘Delete’ down arrow in the Cells group ➪ Again click ‘Delete Sheet Columns’ which will delete the column(s).

HOW TO DELETE COLUMNS IN EXCEL_1

(03) HOW TO DELETE CELLS IN EXCEL?

Deleting a specific cell or range of cells is similar to deleting an entire row or column except that we have to tell Excel how to shift the remaining data in the worksheet.

➢ METHOD 1: EXCEL DELETE CELLS SHORTCUT CTRL+ – (MINUS)

Select the cell or range of cells to delete ➪ Press Ctrl+-(minus) which will open the ‘Delete dialog box ➪ Choose any of the four options (in this case we can select either ‘Shift cells left‘ or ‘Entire column‘)➪ Click OK or press Enter.

EXCEL DELETE CELLS SHORTCUT CTRL+ - (MINUS)

➢ METHOD 2: EXCEL DELETE CELLS SHORTCUT ALT+H+D+D

Select the cell or range of cells to delete ➪ Press Alt+H+D+D (sequentially press Alt, H, D, D) which will open the ‘Delete’ dialog box ➪ Choose any of the four options (in this case we can select either ‘Shift cells left‘ or ‘Entire column‘)➪ Click OK or press Enter.

EXCEL DELETE CELLS SHORTCUT ALT+H+D+D

➢ METHOD 3: DELETE CELLS IN EXCEL USING THE MOUSE RIGHT-CLICK

Select the cell or range of cells ➪ Right-click on the selected range ➪ Click ‘Delete’ from the context menu which will open the ‘Delete’ dialog box ➪ Choose any of the four options (in this case we can select either ‘Shift cells left‘ or ‘Entire column‘)➪ Click OK or press Enter.

EXCEL DELETE CELLS BY USING THE MOUSE RIGHT-CLICK

➢ METHOD 4: DELETE CELLS IN EXCEL USING THE RIBBON

Select the cell or range of cells ➪ Home ➪  Click ‘Delete’ down arrow in the Cells group ➪ Further click ‘Delete Cells’ which will open the ‘Delete’ dialog box ➪ Select any of the four options as per requirement ➪ Click OK or press Enter.

EXCEL DELETE COLUMNS BY USING THE RIBBON

If you would like to improve your academic and professional career as well, then the below courses help you a lot. Instead of Advanced Excel, a number of best courses suggested you through this platform that boosts your confidence and flies your career high.
AEF_192by192
Advance Excel Forum

Premium Courses on ed2go

excel 2019 series4&bids=739114

Microsoft Excel 2019/Office 365 Series

Bestseller
4.9/5
idd4&bids=739114

Introduction to Database Development (Self-Paced Tutorial)

Bestseller
4.9/5
advanced excel 20194&bids=739114

Advanced Microsoft Excel 2019/Office 365 (Self-Paced Tutorial)

Bestseller
4.9/5
access cert training4&bids=739114

Microsoft Access 2019 Certification Training

High Rated
4.9/5
online microsoft office 2016 training4&bids=739114

Microsoft Office Specialist 2016 (MOS) Certification Training

Top Rated
4.7/5
microsoft project training4&bids=739114

Microsoft Project 2016

Bestseller
4.9/5
accounting with excel 2019 suite4&bids=739114

Accounting with MS Excel 2019 Suite

Bestseller
4.9/5
Microsoft Excel Project19 B141444&bids=739114

Microsoft Excel and Project 2019 Suite

Bestseller
4.9/5
visual basic programming4&bids=739114

Visual Basic Series

Bestseller
4.9/5

Premium Courses on Coursera

GIES Icon B4&bids=759505

Infonomics II: Business Information Management and Measurement

Bestseller
4.9/5
04 Fundamentals4&bids=759505

Excel Fundamentals for Data Analysis

Bestseller
4.9/5
04 Visualisation4&bids=759505

Data Visualization in Excel

Bestseller
4.9/5
Database System 24&bids=759505

Business intelligence and data warehousing

Bestseller
4.9/5
4&bids=759505

Accounting Analytics

Bestseller
4.9/5
GettyImages 835871924 medium cdaSpec square4&bids=759505

Modern Big Data Analysis with SQL

Bestseller
4.9/5
044&bids=759505

Excel Skills for Business

Bestseller
4.9/5
Specialization Certificate Emblem AADS Final4&bids=759505

Advanced Data Science with IBM

Bestseller
4.9/5
data science4&bids=759505

Data Science Fundamentals for Data Analysts

Bestseller
4.9/5

Premium Courses on Udemy

1974808 0835 34&bids=507388

Master Excel Functions in Office 365 – Excel Dynamic Arrays (Learn to Use Excel’s NEW Functions (FILTER, UNIQUE, SORT, XLOOKUP.) to Dramatically Simplify the Work You Do in Excel.)

High Rated
4.9/5
1117752 629f4&bids=507388

Excel VBA Macros: Hyper-disambiguated Excel VBA Programming [Learn Excel VBA macros, using clean, clear VBA programming techniques and code that you fully understand]

Bestseller
4.8/5
903454 9541 34&bids=507388

Ultimate Excel Waterfall Chart Course (Impressive Excel Waterfall Charts for Your Reports – From Scratch. No Add-ins, No VBA – For ANY Excel Version!)

Bestseller
4.6/5
2001234 c0a9 44&bids=507388

Project Finance and Financial Modeling in Excel (Learn Project Finance concepts and learn the modeling in excel)

Bestseller
4.8/5
1488324 8411 24&bids=507388

Master Microsoft Access – Access from Beginner to Advanced (Develop dynamic Access databases fast in this easy to learn Microsoft Access Course (2010, 2013, 2016, 2019 & 365)

Bestseller
4.8/5
690066 6b76 44&bids=507388

Master Microsoft Excel Macros and Excel VBA (Project Based Course on Excel VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) and Excel Macros)

High Rated
4.8/5
1384448 4524 34&bids=507388

Power BI Masterclass – beginners to advanced (Microsoft Power BI – How to master self service business intelligence in no time. Power BI Training online)

Bestseller
4.8/5
2751520 54dd4&bids=507388

MS Excel Exam Guide: Analyzing and Visualizing Data (Gain Skills in Data Analysis with Excel. Pass the Microsoft 70-779 Exam. Grow Your Career with an Excel Certification.)

Top rated
4.6/5
1420274 809e 34&bids=507388

Microsoft Power BI Masterclass – Expand Excellence (achieve the next Level of Business Intelligence with Microsoft Power BI Desktop. How to master Power BI Desktop)

Top Rated
4.7/5
Read-More-5

Thanks for your interest joining to Advance Excel Forum community.

Something went wrong.

Join Our Community List

Subscribe to our mailing list and get interesting stuff and updates to your email inbox.


Like it? Share with your friends!

Share via

Join Our Community List

Community grow with You. * VERIFY & CONFIRM YOUR EMAIL *

Thanks for your interest joining to Advance Excel Forum community.

Fill the Correct Information.

Thanks for your interest joining to Advance Excel Forum community.

Something went wrong.

Join Our Community List

Subscribe to our mailing list and get interesting stuff and updates to your email inbox.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website (by analyzing).  Please see our cookies page for further details or agree by clicking the 'Accept' button.

 

Cookie settings

Below you can choose which kind of cookies you allow on this website. Click on the "Save cookie settings" button to apply your choice.

FunctionalOur website uses functional cookies. These cookies are necessary to let our website work.

AnalyticalOur website uses analytical cookies to make it possible to analyze our website and optimize for the purpose of a.o. the usability.

Social mediaOur website places social media cookies to show you 3rd party content like YouTube and FaceBook. These cookies may track your personal data.

AdvertisingOur website places advertising cookies to show you 3rd party advertisements based on your interests. These cookies may track your personal data.

OtherOur website places 3rd party cookies from other 3rd party services which aren't Analytical, Social media or Advertising.