Can delete column in excel

Insert or delete rows and columns

Insert and delete rows and columns to organize your worksheet better.

Note: Microsoft Excel has the following column and row limits: 16,384 columns wide by 1,048,576 rows tall.

Insert or delete a column

1. Select any cell within the column, then go to Home > Insert > Insert Sheet Columns or Delete Sheet Columns.

2. Alternatively, right-click the top of the column, and then select Insert or Delete. 

Insert or delete a row

1. Select any cell within the row, then go to Home > Insert > Insert Sheet Rows or Delete Sheet Rows.

2. Alternatively, right-click the row number, and then select Insert or Delete.

Formatting options

When you select a row or column that has formatting applied, that formatting will be transferred to a new row or column that you insert. If you don’t want the formatting to be applied, you can select the Insert Options button after you insert, and choose from one of the options as follows:

If the Insert Options button isn’t visible, then go to File > Options > Advanced > in the Cut, copy and paste group, check the Show Insert Options buttons option.

Insert rows

To insert a single row: Right-click the whole row above which you want to insert the new row, and then select Insert Rows.

To insert multiple rows: Select the same number of rows above which you want to add new ones. Right-click the selection, and then select Insert Rows.

Insert columns

To insert a single column: Right-click the whole column to the right of where you want to add the new column, and then select Insert Columns.

To insert multiple columns: Select the same number of columns to the right of where you want to add new ones. Right-click the selection, and then select Insert Columns.

Delete cells, rows, or columns

If you don’t need any of the existing cells, rows or columns, here’s how to delete them:

1. Select the cells, rows, or columns that you want to delete.

2. Right-click, and then select the appropriate delete option, for example, Delete Cells & Shift Up, Delete Cells & Shift Left, Delete Rows, or Delete Columns. 

When you delete rows or columns, other rows or columns automatically shift up or to the left.

Tip: If you change your mind right after you deleted a cell, row, or column, just press Ctrl+Z to restore it.

Insert cells

To insert a single cell:

1. Right-click the cell above which you want to insert a new cell.

2. Select Insert, and then select Cells & Shift Down.

To insert multiple cells:

1. Select the same number of cells above which you want to add the new ones.

2. Right-click the selection, and then select Insert > Cells & Shift Down.

Need more help?

You can always ask an expert in the Excel Tech Community or get support in the Answers community.

See Also

Basic tasks in Excel

Overview of formulas in Excel

How to delete a single column in a worksheet using Excel, VBA and Shortcut methods

METHOD 1. Delete a column by selecting an entire column

EXCEL

Select an entire column > Right-click anywhere on the selected column > Click Delete

1. Select an entire column where you want to delete a column. Note: in this example we are deleting column (B). To select an entire column, either click on the column heading or select the first cell of the column, press and hold the Ctrl and Shift keys and press the Down key.

2. Right-click anywhere on the selected column and click Delete.

METHOD 2. Delete a column using the ribbon option

EXCEL

Select a cell in the column where you want to delete a column > Home tab > Cells group > Delete > Delete Sheet Columns

1. Select any cell in the same column where you want to delete a column. Note: in this example we are deleting column (B), given we have selected a cell in the second column.

2. Select the Home tab.

3. Click Delete in the Cells group. 4. Click Delete Sheet Columns.

METHOD 3. Delete a column using the cell option

EXCEL

Right-click on a cell in the row where you want to delete a column > Delete > Entire column > OK

1. Right-click on any cell in the column where you want to delete a column. 2. Click Delete Note: in this example we are deleting column (B), given we have right-clicked on a cell in the second column.

3. Select the Entire column option and click OK group.

METHOD 1. Delete a column using VBA by selecting a single cell

VBA

Sub Delete_a_Column()

‘delete column B
Worksheets(«Sheet1»).Range(«B2»).EntireColumn.Delete

End Sub

OBJECTS
Worksheets: The Worksheets object represents all of the worksheets in a workbook, excluding chart sheets.

ADJUSTABLE PARAMETERS
Column Selection: Select the column that you want to delete by changing the column reference («B2»). You can also change the row reference to any row as this will have no impact on which column will be deleted.
Worksheet Selection: Select the worksheet where you want to delete a column by changing the Sheet1 worksheet name.

METHOD 2. Delete a column using VBA by selecting a range of cells

VBA

Sub Delete_a_Column()

‘delete column B
Worksheets(«Sheet1»).Range(«B2:B5»).EntireColumn.Delete

End Sub

OBJECTS
Worksheets: The Worksheets object represents all of the worksheets in a workbook, excluding chart sheets.

ADJUSTABLE PARAMETERS
Column Selection: Select the column that you want to delete by changing the column reference («B2:B5»). You can also change the row reference to any row as this will have no impact on which column will be deleted.
Worksheet Selection: Select the worksheet where you want to delete a column by changing the Sheet1 worksheet name.

METHOD 3. Delete a column using VBA by selecting an entire column

VBA

Sub Delete_a_Column()

‘delete column B
Worksheets(«Sheet1»).Range(«B:B»).EntireColumn.Delete

End Sub

OBJECTS
Worksheets: The Worksheets object represents all of the worksheets in a workbook, excluding chart sheets.

ADJUSTABLE PARAMETERS
Column Selection: Select the column that you want to delete by changing the column reference («B:B»).
Worksheet Selection: Select the worksheet where you want to delete a column by changing the Sheet1 worksheet name.

Delete a column using a Shortcut

SHORTCUT

WINDOWS SHORTCUT

NOTES
To delete a column using this shortcut method you will need to select an entire column. If you select a single cell or a range of cells and action this shortcut a Delete dialog box will appear and you will need to select Entire column and click OK.

Explanation about how to delete a column

EXPLANATION

EXPLANATION
This tutorial explains and provides step by step instructions on how to delete a single column in a worksheet using Excel, VBA and Shortcut methods.

Excel Methods: Using Excel you can delete a column by selecting an entire column or a single cell and using a ribbon or cell option.

VBA Methods: Using VBA you can delete a column by referencing to a single cell, a range of cells or an entire column. If you want to delete a single column by referencing to a range of cells you need to ensure that the range of cells only references to a single column. As per the example in this tutorial the VBA code references to only column B across multiple rows («B2:B5»).

Shortcut Methods: Using a Shortcut you can delete a column by selecting an entire column that you want to delete and then actioning the shortcut.

ADDITIONAL NOTES
Note 1: Deleting a column will move the existing columns, that are after the deleted column, leftwards. In this this tutorial every column after column B will be moved leftwards.

Related Topic	Description	Related Topic and Description
Insert a column	How to insert a single column in a worksheet using Excel, VBA and Shortcut methods
Insert multiple columns	How to insert multiple columns in a worksheet using Excel, VBA and Shortcut methods
Delete multiple columns	How to delete multiple columns in a worksheet using Excel, VBA and Shortcut methods
Insert a row	How to insert a single row in a worksheet using Excel, VBA and Shortcut methods
Insert multiple rows	How to insert multiple rows in a worksheet using Excel, VBA and Shortcut methods

See all How-To Articles

This tutorial demonstrates how to delete multiple rows or columns in Excel and Google Sheets.

By selecting multiple rows or columns in Excel, you can quickly delete any number of rows or columns using the right mouse button or the Excel Ribbon. This can also be done with VBA.

Delete Adjacent Rows

To delete multiple rows in your worksheet, select the rows you wish to delete by clicking on the row header and dragging down to the header of the last row you wish to delete.

Right-click on the row header and select Delete.

OR

In the Ribbon, select Home > Cells > Delete > Delete Sheet Rows.

Delete Non-Adjacent Rows

To delete multiple non-adjacent rows, select the first row you wish to delete by clicking on the row header, and then, holding down the CTRL key, click on each additional row you wish to delete.

Right-click on the row header and select Delete.

OR

In the Ribbon, select Home > Cells > Delete > Delete Sheet Rows.

Delete Adjacent Columns

To delete multiple adjacent columns, select the columns you wish to delete by clicking on the column header and dragging across to the header of the last column you wish to delete.

Right-click on the column header and select Delete.

OR

In the Ribbon, select Home > Cells > Delete > Delete Sheet Columns.

Delete Non-Adjacent Columns

To delete multiple non-adjacent columns, select the columns you wish to delete by clicking on the first column header and then, holding down the CTRL key, click on each additional column header of the columns you wish to delete.

Right-click on the column header and select Delete.

OR

In the Ribbon, select Home > Cells > Delete > Delete Sheet Columns.

Delete Multiple Rows and Columns in Google Sheets

Deleting multiple rows and columns in Google Sheets works much the same as it does in Excel.

You can select adjacent rows or columns by clicking on the row or column header and dragging down or across to the row or column header of the last row or column you wish to delete.

You can select non-adjacent rows or columns by clicking on the first row or column header, and then, holding down the CTRL key, click on any further row or column headers required.

As with Excel, click on the row/column header with the right mouse button and select the Delete option from the quick menu (e.g., Delete rows 2 – 8).

OR

In the Menu, select Edit > Delete, and then select the options (e.g., Rows 2 – 8) as shown below.

Creating new tables, reports and pricelists of different types, we cannot predict the number of necessary rows and columns. Using Excel program implies to a great extent creating and setting up spreadsheets, which requires inserting and deleting different elements.

First, let’s consider the methods of inserting sheet rows and columns when creating spreadsheets.

Note that in this tutorial we indicate hot keys for adding or deleting rows and columns. They should be used after highlighting the whole row or column. To highlight the row where the cursor is placed, press the combination of hot keys: SHIFT+SPACEBAR. Hot keys for highlighting a column are CTRL+SPACEBAR.



How to insert a column between other columns?

Assuming you have a pricelist lacking line item numbering:

To insert a column between other columns for filling in pricelist items numbering you can use one of the two ways:

1. Move the cursor to activate A1 cell. Then go to tab «HOME», tool section «Cells» and click «Insert», in the popup menu select «Insert Sheet Columns» option.



2. Right-click the heading of column A. Select «Insert» option on the shortcut menu.



3. Select the column, and press the hotkey combination CTRL+SHIFT+PLUS.

Now you can type the numbers of pricelist line items.

Simultaneous insertion of several columns

The pricelist still lacks two columns: quantity and units (items, kilograms, liters, packs). To add simultaneously, highlight the two-cell range (C1:D1). Then use the same tool on the «Insert»-«Insert Sheet Columns» main tab.

Alternatively, highlight two headings of columns C and D, right-click and select «Insert» option.

Note. Columns are always added to the left side. There appear as many new columns as many old ones have been highlighted. The order of inserted also depends on the order of highlighting. For example, next but one etc.



How to insert a row between rows in Excel?

Now let’s add a heading and a new goods line item «All for the garden» to the pricelist. To this end, let’s insert two new rows simultaneously.

Highlight the nonadjacent range of two cells A1,A4 (note that character “,” is used instead of character “:” – it means that two nonadjacent ranges should be highlighted; to make sure, type A1; A4 in the name field and press Enter). You know from the previous tutorials how to highlight nonadjacent ranges.

Now once again use the tool «HOME»-«Insert»-«Insert Sheet Columns». The picture shows how to insert a blank row between other rows in Excel.

It is easy to guess the second way. You need to highlight headings of rows 1 and 3, right-click on one of the highlighted rows and select «Insert» option.

To add a row or a column in Excel use hot keys CTRL+SHIFT+PLUS having highlighted the appropriate row or column.

Note. New rows are always added above the highlighted rows.

Deleting rows and columns

When working with Excel you need to delete rows and columns as often as to insert them. Therefore, you have to practice.

By way of illustration, let’s delete from our pricelist the numbering of goods line items and the unit column simultaneously.

Highlight the nonadjacent range of cells A1; D1 and select «HOME»-«Delete»-«Delete Sheet Rows». The shortcut menu can also be used for deleting if you highlight headings A1 and D1 instead of cells.

Row deleting is performed in the similar way. You only need to select a tool in the appropriate menu. Applying a shortcut menu is the same. You only have to highlight the rows correspondingly by row numbers.

To delete a row or a column in Excel, use hot keys CTRL+MINUS having preliminary highlighted them.

Note. Inserting new columns and rows is in fact substitution, as the number of rows (1 048 576) and columns (16 384) doesn’t change. The new just replace the old ones. You should consider this fact when filling in the sheet with data by more than 50% — 80%.

Bottom line: Learn some of my favorite keyboard shortcuts when working with rows and columns in Excel.

Skill level: Easy

Whether you are creating a simple list of names or building a complex financial model, you probably make a lot of changes to the rows and columns in the spreadsheet.  Tasks like adding/deleting rows, adjusting column widths, and creating outline groups are very common when working with the grid.

This post contains some of my favorite shortcuts that will save you time every day.

I’ve also listed the equivalent shortcuts for the Mac version of Excel where available.

#1 –  Select Entire Row or Column

Shift+Space is the keyboard shortcut to select an entire row.

Ctrl+Space is the keyboard shortcut to select an entire column.

Mac Shortcuts: Same as above

The keyboard shortcuts by themselves don’t do much.  However, they are the starting point for performing a lot of other actions where you first need to select the entire row or column.  This includes tasks like deleting rows, grouping columns, etc.

These shortcuts also work for selecting the entire row or column inside an Excel Table.

When you press the Shift+Space shortcut the first time it will select the entire row within the Table.  Press Shift+Space a second time and it will select the entire row in the worksheet.

The same works for columns.  Ctrl+Space will select the column of data in the Table.  Pressing the keyboard shortcut a second time will include the column header of the Table in the selection.  Pressing Ctrl+Space a third time will select the entire column in the worksheet.

You can select multiple rows or columns by holding Shift and pressing the Arrow Keys multiple times.

#2 – Insert or Delete Rows or Columns

There are a few ways to quickly delete rows and columns in Excel.

If you have the rows or columns selected, then the following keyboard shortcuts will quickly add or delete all selected rows or columns.

Ctrl++ (plus character) is the keyboard shortcut to insert rows or columns.  If you are using a laptop keyboard you can press Ctrl+Shift+= (equal sign).

Mac Shortcut: Cmd++ or Cmd+Shift+

Ctrl+- (minus character) is the keyboard shortcut to delete rows or columns.

Mac Shortcut: Cmd+-

So for the above shortcuts to work you will first need to select the entire row or column, which can be done with the Shift+Space or Ctrl+Space shortcuts explained in #1.

If you do not have the entire row or column selected then you will be presented with the Insert or Delete Menus after pressing Ctrl++ or Ctrl+-.

You can then press the up or down arrow keys to make your selection from the menu and hit Enter.  For me it is easier to first select the entire row or column, then press Ctrl++ or Ctrl+-.

So, the entire keyboard shortcut to delete a column would be Ctrl+Space, Ctrl+-.  You could also use the keyboard shortcut Alt+H+D+C to delete columns and Alt+H+D+R to delete rows.  There are lots of ways to do a simple task… 🙂

#3 – AutoFit Column Width

There are also a lot of different ways to AutoFit column widths.  AutoFit means that the width of the column will be adjusted to fit the contents of the cell.

You can use the mouse and double-click when you hover the cursor between columns when you see the resize column cursor.

The problem with this is that you might just want to resize the column for the date in cell A4, instead of the big long title in cell A1.  To accomplish this you can use the AutoFit Column Width button.  It is located on the Home tab of the Ribbon in the Format menu.

The AutoFit Column Width button bases the width of the column on the cells you have selected.  In the image above I have cell A4 selected.  So the column width will be adjusted to fit the contents of A4, as shown in the results below.

Alt,H,O,I is the keyboard shortcut for the AutoFit Column Width button.  This is one I use a lot to get my reports looking shiny. 🙂

Alt,H,O,A is the keyboard shortcut to AutoFit Row Height.  It doesn’t work exactly the same as column width, and will only adjust the row height to the tallest cell in the entire row.

Mac Shortcuts: None that I know of.  The Mac version does not use the Alt key sequence which I believe is a limitation of the Mac OS.

#3.5 – Manually Adjust Row or Column Width

The column width or row height windows can be opened with keyboard shortcuts as well.

Alt,O,R,E is the keyboard shortcut to open the Row Height window.

Alt,O,C,W is the keyboard shortcut to open the Column Width window.

The row height or column width will be applied to the rows or columns of all the cells that are currently selected.

These are old shortcuts from Excel 2003, but they still work in the modern versions of Excel.

Mac Shortcuts: None that I know of.  The Mac version does not use the Alt key sequence which I believe is a limitation of the Mac OS.

#4 – Hide or Unhide Rows or Columns

There are several dedicated keyboard shortcuts to hide and unhide rows and columns.

• Ctrl+9 to Hide Rows
• Ctrl+0 (zero) to Hide Columns
• Ctrl+Shift+( to Unhide Rows
• Ctrl+Shift+) to Unhide Columns – If this doesn’t work for you try Alt,O,C,U (old Excel 2003 shortcut that still works).  You can also modify a Windows setting to prevent the conflict with this shortcut.  See the comment from Pablo Baez on Oct 5, 2015 below for further instructions.  Thanks Pablo! 🙂

Mac Shortcuts: Same as above

The buttons are also located on the Format menu on the Home tab of the Ribbon.  You can hover over any of the items in the menu and the keyboard shortcut will display in the screentip (see screenshot below).

The trick with getting these shortcuts to work is to have the proper cells selected first.

To hide rows or columns you just need to select cells in the rows or columns you want to hide, then press the Ctrl+9 or Ctrl+Shift+( shortcut.

To unhide rows or columns you first need to select the cells that surround the rows or columns you want to unhide.  In the screenshot below I want to unhide rows 3 & 4.  I first select cell B2:B5, cells that surround or cover the hidden rows, then press Ctrl+Shift+( to unhide the rows.

The same technique works to unhide columns.

#5 – Group or Ungroup Rows or Columns

Row and Column groupings are a great way to quickly hide and unhide columns and rows.

Shift+Alt+Right Arrow is the shortcut to group rows or columns.

Mac Shortcut: Cmd+Shift+K

Shift+Alt+Left Arrow is the shortcut to ungroup.

Mac Shortcut: Cmd+Shift+J

Again, the trick here is to select the entire rows or columns you want to group/ungroup first.  Otherwise you will be presented with the Group or Ungroup menu.

Alt,A,U,C is the keyboard shortcut to remove all the row and columns groups on the sheet.  This is the same as pressing the Clear Outline button on the Ungroup menu of the Data tab on the Ribbon.

*Bonus funny: At some point when using the group/ungroup shortcuts, you will accidentally press Ctrl+Alt+Right Arrow.  This is a Windows shortcut that orientates the entire screen to the right.  I call it “neck ache view”.  To get it back to normal press Ctrl+Alt+Up Arrow.

If your co-worker or boss accidentally leaves their computer unlocked and you want to play a joke on them, press Ctrl+Alt+Down Arrow.  This will turn their screen upside down.  Don’t forget to record a video of their WTF reaction… 🙂

What Are Your Favorites?

There are a ton of keyboard shortcuts for working with rows and columns.  The above are some of my favorites that I use everyday.  What are some of your favorites?  Please leave a comment below.  Thanks! 🙂

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This Excel tutorial explains how to delete a column in Excel 2016 (with screenshots and step-by-step instructions).

Question:In Microsoft Excel 2016, how do I delete a column in a spreadsheet?

Answer: Select a cell in the column that you wish to delete. In this example, we’ve selected cell B3 because we want to delete colulmn B.

Right-click and select «Delete» from the popup menu.

When the Delete window appears, select the «Entire column» option and click on the OK button.

The column should now be deleted in the spreadsheet. In this example, column B was deleted and the data in the columns to the right were shifted over to the left.

These instructions cover how to add and delete rows and columns using a keyboard shortcut and the right-click context menu in Excel 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, Excel Online, and Excel for Mac.

Thanks for letting us know!