Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated March 16, 2024)
This tip applies to Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Excel in Microsoft 365
When you import data from an outside source, you may run into a need to delete extraneous data from a worksheet. For instance, you may have a need to remove every second line from the data, or every fifth line. Doing this by hand can be tedious and prone to error. Fortunately, you can create a macro to help eliminate both the tedium and the errors.
The following macro, DeleteRows, will remove every X rows from your worksheet. All you have to do is select the rows you want it applied to. The macro, as written, will remove every second row. So, if you wanted to delete the first, third, fifth, and seventh rows beginning with row 10, you would select rows 10 through 16 and then run this macro. It results in rows 10 (the first row), 12 (the third row), 14 (the fifth row), and 16 (the seventh row) being deleted.
Sub DeleteRows() Dim iStart As Integer Dim iEnd As Integer Dim iCount As Integer Dim iStep As Integer Dim J As Integer iStep = 2 'Delete every 2nd row Application.ScreenUpdating = False iStart = 1 iCount = Selection.Rows.Count 'Find ending row to start deleting For J = iStart To iCount Step iStep iEnd = J Next Do While iEnd >= iStart Selection.Rows(iEnd).Delete iEnd = iEnd — iStep Loop Application.ScreenUpdating = True End Sub
If you want to delete some other multiple of lines, simply change the setting for the iStep variable. For instance, if you want to delete every fifth row, change iStep from 2 to 5. (You only need to make the single change, in the iStep = 2 declaration.)
Note:
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (3592) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Excel in Microsoft 365. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Excel here: Deleting Every X Rows.
Dive Deep into Macros! Make Excel do things you thought were impossible, discover techniques you won't find anywhere else, and create powerful automated reports. Bill Jelen and Tracy Syrstad help you instantly visualize information to make it actionable. You’ll find step-by-step instructions, real-world case studies, and 50 workbooks packed with examples and solutions. Check out Microsoft Excel 2019 VBA and Macros today!
Your company may be regulated by requirements that it document any changes to the macros in an Excel worksheet. Your ...
Discover MoreNeed a quick way to change the default drive and directory in a macro you are writing? Here's the commands to do it and a ...
Discover MoreMacros allow you to perform all sorts of file-related operations. One such operation allows you to delete a directory. ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2024-03-25 12:14:05
J. Woolley
Re. my previous comment below, My Excel Toolbox now includes the following two macros:
    DeleteEveryNthRow -- Delete every Nth row of the selected range
    DeleteEveryNthCol -- Delete every Nth column of the selected range
See https://sites.google.com/view/MyExcelToolbox/
2024-03-19 18:30:50
J. Woolley
Here's my version of the Tip's macro:
Sub DeleteRows2()
    Const myName = "DeleteRows2"
    Dim nStart As Long, nCount As Long, nEnd As Long, nStep As Long
    Dim nSelecRows As Long, rSelecCells As Range, rDelete As Range
    Dim n As Long, msg As String
    Set rSelecCells = Selection
    For n = 1 To rSelecCells.Areas.Count 'might be non-contiguous
        nSelecRows = nSelecRows + rSelecCells.Areas(n).Rows.Count
    Next n
    Selection.Areas(1).EntireRow.Select 'selection of contiguous rows
    nStart = Selection.Cells(1).Row
    nCount = Selection.Rows.Count
    nEnd = nStart + nCount - 1
    msg = "To delete every Nth row of the selected range " & vbLf _
        & "$" & nStart & ":$" & nEnd & " starting with row $" _
        & nStart & ", enter a value for " & vbLf & "increment N:"
    nStep = Int(Application.InputBox(msg, myName, 0, Type:=1))
    If nStep < 1 Then
        rSelecCells.Select
        MsgBox "No rows were deleted.", , myName
        Exit Sub
    End If
    nEnd = nStart + nStep * ((nCount - 1) \ nStep) 'integer division
    Set rDelete = Rows(nStart).EntireRow
    For n = (nStart + nStep) To nEnd Step nStep
        Set rDelete = Application.Union(rDelete, Rows(n).EntireRow)
    Next n
    rDelete.Select
    msg = "The selected rows will be deleted."
    If MsgBox(msg, vbOKCancel, myName) = vbOK Then
        nSelecRows = nSelecRows - rDelete.Rows.Count
        rDelete.Delete
    End If
    If nSelecRows > 0 Then rSelecCells.Select Else ActiveCell.Select
End Sub
2024-03-17 01:40:32
Nir
If VB is too much for you:
add the following in a new column:
=MOD(ROW()-X,Y)
1. where X is the first data row (after headers) and Y is the number of rows to count.
2. first row for the formula=first DATA row.
3. drug all the way down.
4. filter OUT the zeros.
5. delete all the rows and remove filter.
Got a version of Excel that uses the ribbon interface (Excel 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the menu interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments