Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated August 27, 2022)
This tip applies to Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Excel in Microsoft 365
If you want to remove all the formatting from a cell, there are a number of techniques you can use. One way is to use the Format Painter. If there is an "unformatted" cell close to the one from which you want the formatting removed, just select the unformatted cell and click on the Format Painter tool. Then click on the cell you want to be unformatted, and that should do the trick.
Another method is to select the cell or cells, display the Home tab of the ribbon, click Clear in the Editing group. Excel displays a submenu from which you can select Formats.
You can also remove formatting by using the built-in styles in Excel. Select the cells and display the Home tab of the ribbon. In the Styles group click Normal. The formatting of the cell is returned to whatever is defined as "normal" for your worksheet.
If you prefer to use a single tool to remove formatting, you can customize Excel by adding a special tool to the Quick Access Toolbar. Follow these steps:
Figure 1. The Quick Access Toolbar area of the Excel Options dialog box.
With the new tool in place, you can remove formatting by selecting the cells you want to affect and then clicking the tool.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (6753) 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: Removing All Formatting.
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!
When your macro is processing information in a worksheet, do you need to periodically make the contents of a cell bold? ...
Discover MoreCell contents and cell formatting are, in Excel, largely independent of each other. You can enter something in a cell and ...
Discover MoreYou can use the Paste Special feature in Excel to multiply the values in a range of cells. If you don't want Excel to ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
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