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Delete cells, rows, or columns
 
  1. Select the cells, rows, or columns that you want to delete.

    ShowHow to select cells, rows, or columns

    To selectDo this
    A single cellClick the cell, or press the arrow keys to move to the cell.
    A range of cellsClick the first cell in the range, and then drag to the last cell.
    A large range of cellsClick the first cell in the range, and then hold down SHIFT while you click the last cell in the range. You can scroll to make the last cell visible.
    Nonadjacent (nonadjacent selection: A selection of two or more cells or ranges that don't touch each other. When plotting nonadjacent selections in a chart, make sure that the combined selections form a rectangular shape.) cells or cell rangesSelect the first cell or range of cells, and then hold down CTRL while you select the other cells or ranges.
    Cells to the last used cell on the worksheet (lower-right corner)Select the first cell, and then press CTRL+SHIFT+END to extend the selection of cells to the last used cell on the worksheet (lower-right corner).
    Cells to the beginning of the worksheetSelect the first cell, and then press CTRL+SHIFT+HOME to extend the selection of cells to the beginning of the worksheet.
    Columns or rowsClick the column or row heading.
    Nonadjacent columns or rowsSelect the first column or row, and then hold down CTRL while you select the other columns or rows.

    Note  To cancel a selection of cells, click any cell on the worksheet.

  2. On the Edit menu, click Delete.

    Tip   You can also right-click a selection of cells, rows, or columns, and then click Delete on the shortcut menu.

    Note  Pressing DELETE deletes the contents of the selected cells, not the cells themselves.

  3. If you are deleting a cell or a range (range: Two or more cells on a sheet. The cells in a range can be adjacent or nonadjacent.) of cells, in the Delete dialog box, click Shift cells left, Shift cells up, Entire row, or Entire column.

    If you are deleting rows or columns, other rows or columns automatically shift up or to the left.

Tips

  • To quickly repeat deleting cells, rows, or columns, select the next cells, rows, or columns, and then press CTRL+Y.
  • If needed, you can restore deleted data immediately after deletion. On the Edit menu, click Undo Delete, or press CTRL+Z.

Note  Microsoft Excel keeps formulas up to date by adjusting references to the shifted cells to reflect their new locations. However, a formula that refers to a deleted cell displays the #REF! error value.

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