How to Delete Multiple Cells in Excel

To delete multiple cells in Excel, select the cells (drag across a range, or hold Ctrl/Cmd and click non-adjacent cells), then press the Delete key to clear their contents while keeping the cells in place. To remove the cells entirely and shift surrounding data, right-click the selection, choose Delete, and pick whether to shift cells left or up.

Deleting multiple cells in Microsoft Excel can be a time-consuming and tedious task when done manually. Excel’s ability to perform bulk deletions saves users time and effort, allowing them to spend more time analyzing their data rather than editing it. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to delete multiple cells in Excel. Whether you’re a seasoned Excel user or new to the program, this guide will help you easily delete multiple cells without having to waste time performing manual deletions.

Step 1: Select the Cells You Want to Delete

The first step to deleting multiple cells in Excel is to select the cells you want to delete. You can select cells in multiple ways. One option is to click and drag the mouse, selecting all the cells you want to delete. Another option is to hold down the CTRL key on your keyboard (use Cmd on a Mac) and click on each cell you want to delete. This method allows you to select non-adjacent cells. For more techniques, see our guides on how to select multiple cells and how to deselect cells if you click one by mistake.

Step 2: Right-click and Select “Delete”

After selecting the cells, right-click on one of the selected cells. From the popup menu, select “Delete.”

Step 3: Choose Whether to Shift Cells Left or Shift Cells Up

After clicking “Delete,” a dialog box will appear asking you to choose whether you want to shift cells left or shift cells up. If you choose “Shift cells left,” the cells to the right of the deleted cells will shift to the left, filling the gap. If you choose “Shift cells up,” the cells located under the deleted cells will shift up, filling the gap. If you only want to blank out the data without moving anything, skip this dialog and simply press the Delete key instead (see shift cells in Excel for more on how shifting works).

Step 4: Click “OK”

After selecting your preference, click “OK.” Excel will delete the selected cells and shift the remaining cells either left or up, depending on your selection.

Bonus Tip: Delete Entire Rows or Columns

In addition to deleting multiple cells, you can also delete entire rows or columns in Excel. To delete a row, select the row number on the left side of Excel, right-click, and select “Delete.” To delete a column, select the column letter at the top of Excel, right-click, and select “Delete.” For step-by-step help, see how to delete multiple rows and how to delete columns in Excel.

What to Do If You Want to Clear the Contents of Multiple Cells Without Deleting Them

If you want to delete the contents of multiple cells without deleting the cells themselves, you can use the “Clear Contents” option instead. To do this, select the cells whose contents you want to delete, right-click, and then select “Clear Contents.” This will remove the data from the cells, but the cells will remain in place. The fastest shortcut is to select the cells and press the Delete key, which clears contents without opening any dialog. See our dedicated guide on how to clear multiple cells in Excel for more, and clear formatting if you also need to remove colors and styles.

How to Delete Blank Rows in Excel

If you have a large dataset with blank rows, you may want to delete them to make your data more manageable. To do this, select the entire row by clicking on the row number on the left-hand side of the screen. Then, right-click the row number and click “Delete.” This will remove the entire row. If you want to delete all blank rows in one go, you can use the “Go To Special” function (found in the “Find & Select” section of the “Home” tab). Then select “Blanks” and click “OK.” This will select all blank cells in the worksheet. Then right-click a selected row number and choose “Delete.” This will delete all blank rows at once. For a fuller walkthrough, see how to delete blank rows in Excel and how to remove blank rows.

Undoing a Deletion in Excel

If you accidentally delete cells in Excel, there is a simple way to undo the deletion. You can do this by pressing the “CTRL” and “Z” keys simultaneously on your keyboard or by clicking on the “Undo” button in the “Quick Access Toolbar” (the small toolbar with icons that sits above the ribbon at the top of the Excel window). This will revert the deletion and bring back the deleted cells.

Deleting multiple cells in Excel is a useful skill that can save you time and effort. Excel’s bulk deletion feature allows users to quickly delete multiple cells without having to perform the task manually cell by cell. Remember to carefully select the cells you want to delete, choose whether to shift cells up or left, and use the “Clear Contents” option if you want to keep the cells themselves but delete their contents. Additionally, keep in mind that you can undo a deletion by pressing “CTRL” and “Z” or clicking the “Undo” button in the Quick Access Toolbar. These tips and tricks will help you efficiently manage your data in Excel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about deleting multiple cells in Excel:

What is the difference between pressing Delete and using Delete Cells?

Pressing the Delete key clears the contents of the selected cells but leaves the empty cells in place, so nothing shifts. Right-clicking and choosing “Delete” (Delete Cells) removes the cells entirely and shifts the surrounding cells left or up to fill the gap. Use Delete to blank out values; use Delete Cells when you need to physically remove cells from the grid.

How do I delete multiple cells in Excel on a Mac?

The steps are the same on a Mac, but use the Cmd key in place of Ctrl when selecting non-adjacent cells. Select your cells, then press the Delete key (often labeled Delete or Backspace) to clear contents, or Control-click the selection and choose “Delete” to remove the cells and shift others. To undo, press Cmd + Z.

Is there a keyboard shortcut to delete cells in Excel?

Yes. Press the Delete key to clear contents instantly. To open the Delete dialog (shift cells), press Ctrl + Minus (-) on Windows, or Cmd + Minus (-) on a Mac, after selecting the cells. To delete an entire row or column, select it first and then use Ctrl + Minus.

Can I delete multiple cells that are not adjacent to each other?

Yes, you can delete non-adjacent cells by holding down the “CTRL” key and selecting the cells you want to delete.

What happens to formulas that reference a deleted cell?

If a formula references a deleted cell, Excel will replace that cell’s contents with the #REF! error value.

Can I recover cells that I accidentally deleted?

If you accidentally delete cells, you can recover them by pressing “CTRL” and “Z” to undo the deletion. If you closed the Excel workbook or file, you can try to recover it using the AutoRecover feature or a file recovery tool.

How can I delete rows or columns that are blank?

You can delete a row by selecting its row number, right-clicking, and choosing “Delete.” To delete all blank rows at once, use the “Go to Special” function, which selects all blank cells in the worksheet. Then you can delete the selected rows. To delete a column, select its column letter and choose “Delete.”

Is there a way to delete multiple cells in VBA?

Yes, you can delete multiple cells using VBA code. For example, you can use the “Delete” or “ClearContents” method to delete or clear the contents of a range of selected cells.