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.
Excel Smarts for Beginners! Featuring the friendly and trusted For Dummies style, this popular guide shows beginners how to get up and running with Excel while also helping more experienced users get comfortable with the newest features. Check out Excel 2013 For Dummies today!
Excel has a great (and little known) shortcut for filling a column with information. It comes in very handy when you need ...
Discover MoreWant to get rid of most of the names defined in your workbook? You can either delete them one by one or use the handy ...
Discover MoreIf you distribute a workbook that is used by others for data entry, you may want a way to make sure they fill in certain ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
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
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 © 2020 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
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: 
Comments