Rows, columns and sheets shortcuts
Delete row shortcut in Excel
The keys
| Shortcut | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Select the entire row How to: Insert row shortcut in Excel | Shift+Space | Shift+Space |
| Select the entire column How to: Insert row shortcut in Excel On a Mac, Control+Space also switches input sources in macOS. If it does that, turn the macOS shortcut off in System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts. | Ctrl+Space | Control+Space |
| Delete cells, rows or columnsWith whole rows or columns selected they go at once; otherwise the Delete dialog asks. | Ctrl+- | Command+- or Control+- |
Checked against Microsoft's official lists on . Where Microsoft lists a key for one platform only, the other column says so instead of guessing.
Delete vs clear
Ctrl+- removes the row and moves everything below it up. Delete only empties the cells and leaves the blank row where it was. If the rows below should close the gap, you want Ctrl+-.
With just a cell selected, Ctrl+- opens the Delete dialog instead. Press R for entire row or C for entire column, then Enter.
Delete many rows at once
- Next to each other: select the first row, hold Shift and press Down arrow to extend, then Ctrl+-.
- Scattered rows: hold Ctrl (Cmd on a Mac) and click each row number, then press Ctrl+- once.
- Every blank row: select the data, press F5, choose Special, pick Blanks, then delete the entire rows. Check first that no row is only partly blank, or you will lose data. The guide on removing blank rows shows a safer filter method.
- Rows that match a value: filter the column with Ctrl+Shift+L, select the visible rows and delete them, then clear the filter.
What can go wrong
- Formulas elsewhere now show #REF!: they pointed at a cell in the deleted row. Undo with Ctrl+Z and change those formulas to ranges, or see how to fix #REF!.
- Only part of the row went: you deleted cells and chose Shift cells up. That misaligns the data; undo and select the whole row first.
- Nothing happens: you are still editing a cell, or the sheet is protected.
Why a shortcut sometimes does nothing
You are still editing a cell
While a cell is in edit mode, most commands are greyed out and many shortcuts type into the cell instead. Press Enter to finish the entry or Esc to cancel it, then try again.
KeyTips change with the language
Alt sequences such as Alt+H, O, I are ribbon KeyTips: press Alt and the letters appear on screen. They come from the English ribbon. In another language, or when an add-in adds a tab, the letters can differ, so read them off the screen rather than memorizing them.
Related shortcuts
| Shortcut | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Insert cells, rows or columns How to: Insert row shortcut in Excel Select whole rows (Shift+Space) or columns (Ctrl+Space) first and they go in straight away; otherwise the Insert dialog asks which way to shift. | Ctrl+Shift+PlusWeb Ctrl+Plus | Control+Shift+= |
| Delete the column | Alt+H, D, C | —No Mac shortcut in Microsoft's list |
| In a table, delete the row or rows | Alt+H, D, L | —No Mac shortcut in Microsoft's list |
| Undo the last action How to: Undo, redo and repeat shortcuts in Excel | Ctrl+Z | Command+Z or Control+Z |
FAQ
What is the shortcut to delete a row in Excel?
Shift+Space to select the row, then Ctrl+Minus. On a Mac, Shift+Space and then Cmd+Minus or Ctrl+Minus.
What does Alt+H, D, C do?
It is the Windows ribbon route to Delete Sheet Columns: Alt+H opens the Home tab, D opens Delete, C picks columns. Microsoft lists it among the most used shortcuts.
How do I undo a deleted row?
Press Ctrl+Z (Cmd+Z on a Mac) right away. Undo works until you close the file.
Can I delete a row in Excel for the web?
Yes. Select the row with Shift+Space and press Ctrl+Minus; Microsoft lists Ctrl+Minus for deleting cells, rows or columns in Excel for the web.
Related guides
- How to remove blank rows in ExcelSelect a column that every real row fills in (such as Email), press F5 > Special > Blanks > OK, then go to Home > Delete > Delete Sheet Rows.
- #REF! error in Excel#REF! means a formula points to a cell that is not valid: it was deleted, or the formula asks for a column or row outside its range.
- How to remove duplicates in ExcelSelect your data, go to Data > Remove Duplicates, tick the columns that must match, and click OK.
In the glossary: #REF! error
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