Delete an external data range - Help and How-to

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Delete an external data range

Applies to: Microsoft Office Excel 2003

Click the worksheet that contains the external data range (external data range: A range of data that is brought into a worksheet but that originates outside of Excel, such as in a database or text file. In Excel, you can format the data or use it in calculations as you would any other data.) you want to delete.
On the formula bar (formula bar: A bar at the top of the Excel window that you use to enter or edit values or formulas in cells or charts. Displays the constant value or formula stored in the active cell.), click the arrow next to the Name box, and then click the name of the external data range you want to delete.
To delete the external data range or the entire worksheet including the external data range but not the underlying query, click Delete or Delete Sheet on the Edit menu.
If you press DELETE on the keyboard instead of clicking Delete on the Edit menu, Microsoft Excel clears the external data range and prompts you to choose whether to delete the underlying query.

Show Tip

You can create a report template (report template: An Excel template (.xlt file) that includes one or more queries or PivotTable reports that are based on external data. When you save a report template, Excel saves the query definition but doesn't store the queried data in the template.) that removes the external data range but retains the underlying query on a worksheet when you close it.