Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here: Quickly Deleting Rows and Columns.
You probably already know how to completely delete rows or columns by using the tools on the ribbon. Excel provides an even quicker way to delete rows or columns, however. All you need to do is select the row or column that you want to delete, and then press Ctrl+- (that's Ctrl and the minus sign at the same time). Excel removes the row or column from your worksheet, as directed.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (12424) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Excel here: Quickly Deleting Rows and Columns.
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Want to select all the data in a contiguous section of a worksheet? The shortcut discussed in this tip makes it very easy.
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2017-11-19 11:41:16
MIchael Armstrong
Do you have to use the + and - on the numeric keypad? It's hard to press + (requiring a shift) and - (no shift) at the same time on the standard keyboard. Some laptops don't have the numeric keypad.
2017-09-11 14:03:28
Roger
The quick selection plus the quick delete makes for a super tip. Thanks!
2017-09-11 02:39:47
Petr
I would add that it's super fast with selecting row by using shift+space or column by using ctrl+space
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Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here: 
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