How to Remove Formulas in Excel

Excel is a powerful tool that lets users create complex calculations and manipulate data in various ways. One feature that makes Excel standout is its ability to use formulas. However, not everyone might want to use these formulas in their spreadsheets. In some cases, it can be useful to remove formulas and only show the resulting values. Removing formulas can also protect sensitive information or prevent accidental changes. In this blog post, we will explore different methods to remove formulas in Excel, so users can get the most out of their spreadsheets.

Introduction:

Excel formulas are a powerful feature that enable users to calculate complex values and interact with data in various ways. However, there are times where you might want to remove formulas from a spreadsheet. Removing formulas can be useful when you want to share a spreadsheet with others, protect sensitive information, or prevent accidental changes. In this blog post, we will provide step-by-step instructions on how to remove formulas in Excel, so you can get the most out of your spreadsheets.

Method 1: Copy and Paste Values

One of the easiest ways to remove formulas in Excel is by copying and pasting the values. Essentially, this method involves taking the output values of a given cell and pasting them onto another cell, without copying the formulas themselves.

Step 1:

Select the cell or range of cells that contain the formulas you want to remove.

Step 2:

Right-click on the selection and click on “Copy”. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl + C” on Windows or “Cmd + C” on Mac.

Step 3:

Select the cell or range of cells where you want to paste the values onto.

Step 4:

Right-click on the selection and click on “Paste Special”. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl + Alt + V” on Windows or “Control + Command + V” on Mac.

Step 5:

In the “Paste Special” dialog box, select “Values” and click “OK”. This will paste the values onto the selected cells, without copying the formulas.

Method 2: Clearing Cell Contents

Another way to remove formulas in Excel is by clearing the cell contents. This method is simple and straightforward, but it should only be used if you don’t want to keep any data in the cells.

Step 1:

Select the cell or range of cells that contain the formulas you want to remove.

Step 2:

Right-click on the selection and click on “Clear Contents”. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut “Delete”.

Step 3:

A dialog box will appear asking you to confirm the deletion. Click “Clear All” to delete the contents and formulas in the selected cells.

Method 3: Using the Formulas Tab

The third method for removing formulas in Excel involves using the Formula tab. This method provides a bit more control since you can choose which cells and formulas to remove.

Step 1:

Select the cell or range of cells that contain the formulas you want to remove.

Step 2:

Click on the “Formulas” tab on the ribbon at the top of the window.

Step 3:

Click on the “Show Formulas” button to display all the formulas in the selected cells.

Step 4:

Select the cell or range of cells that contain the formula you want to remove.

Step 5:

Press the “Delete” key on your keyboard to remove the selected formulas.

Step 6:

Click on the “Show Formulas” button again to hide the formulas and only show the resulting values.

Conclusion:

Excel formulas are a powerful feature that enable users to calculate complex values and interact with data in various ways. However, not everyone might want to use formulas in their spreadsheets. In this blog post, we explored different methods to remove formulas in Excel, including copying and pasting values, clearing cell contents, and using the Formula tab. Depending on your needs, one method might be more suitable than others. We hope this blog post was helpful and that you can now remove formulas in Excel with ease.

Additional Tips:

When you remove formulas in Excel, keep in mind that you are also removing the ability to update the output value of the cell when the input values are changed. If you want to keep the ability to recalculate the output value, consider using one of the following methods:

Method 1: Paste values with links:

This method involves pasting values onto another cell, as explained in Method 1, but it also creates a link between the original cell and the new cell. This means that if the input values in the original cell are changed, the output value in the new cell will also be updated automatically. To use this method, follow these steps:

Step 1:

Select the cell or range of cells that contain the formulas you want to remove.

Step 2:

Right-click on the selection and click on “Copy”. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl + C” on Windows or “Cmd + C” on Mac.

Step 3:

Select the cell or range of cells where you want to paste the values onto.

Step 4:

Right-click on the selection and click on “Paste Special”. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl + Alt + V” on Windows or “Control + Command + V” on Mac.

Step 5:

In the “Paste Special” dialog box, select “Values” and check the “Link” box.

Step 6:

Click “OK”. This will paste the values onto the selected cells and create a link between the original and new cell.

Method 2: Use the Convert Formulas to Values feature:

This method is similar to Method 1 but provides more control over which cells and formulas to convert. To use this method, follow these steps:

Step 1:

Select the cell or range of cells that contain the formulas you want to remove.

Step 2:

Click on the “Formulas” tab on the ribbon at the top of the window.

Step 3:

Click on the “Convert Formulas to Values” button in the “Formula Auditing” section.

Step 4:

In the “Convert Formula to Values” dialog box, select “Values” and choose whether to replace the original formulas or create a new sheet with the values.

Step 5:

Click “OK”. This will convert the selected formulas to values, while also retaining the ability to recalculate the output value if the input values are changed.

Conclusion:

Removing formulas in Excel can be useful for many reasons. Whether you want to share a spreadsheet, protect sensitive information, or prevent accidental changes, there are several methods to remove formulas in Excel. While removing formulas also removes the ability to recalculate the output value, the methods we covered in this article provide varying levels of control to ensure you get the results you need. We hope you found this article helpful and that you can now remove formulas in Excel with ease.

FAQs:

Here are some common questions users have about removing formulas in Excel:

Can I remove formulas from a single cell or do I need to remove them from the entire sheet?

You can remove formulas from a single cell or range of cells by selecting them and using one of the methods described in this article.

If I remove a formula, will it also delete the original data?

No, removing the formula will only remove the formula itself and replace it with the output value. The original data will still be present in the sheet.

Can I revert back to formulas after removing them?

Yes, you can either retype the formula into the cell or undo the action to revert back to the original formula.

What is the best way to protect my formulas while still sharing the spreadsheet?

You can protect the formulas by hiding them through the “Format Cells” option under “Cell Protection.” This will allow you to share the sheet without exposing the formulas to others.

Is there a way to remove all formulas in a single click?

Yes, you can select the entire sheet and use the “Copy” then “Paste Special” method to copy and paste the values. This will replace all formulas with their output values, effectively removing the formulas in a single click.