Microsoft Excel is a powerful spreadsheet program that allows you to store, organize, and analyze data. One of the most common tasks in Excel is deleting columns that are no longer needed. Deleting columns can help declutter your spreadsheet and make it easier to focus on the most important data.
Whether you want to delete a single column or multiple columns, it’s a simple process in Excel. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the different ways to delete columns in Excel across different versions and platforms.
Understanding Columns in Excel
Before learning how to delete columns, it’s important to understand what exactly columns are in Excel.
Columns refer to the vertical sets of cells in a spreadsheet. Columns are labeled with letters starting from A. So the first column is labeled Column A, the second is Column B and so on.
Each column represents a different category or field of data. For example, in a sales spreadsheet, Column A may contain the product IDs, Column B may have product names, Column C may contain the sale price and so on.
When you need to remove categories of data, you can simply delete the entire column in Excel.
Reasons to Delete a Column
There are several reasons you may want to delete columns in an Excel spreadsheet:
- Remove irrelevant data: If a column contains outdated, insignificant or redundant data, deleting it cleans up the spreadsheet.
- Declutter: Deleting unnecessary columns can reduce clutter and make the file easier to browse.
- Free up space: Deleting columns removes data from the spreadsheet file, reducing its size. This can help improve performance.
- Reorganize data: You may want to restructure your spreadsheet by deleting certain columns and shifting data to new positions.
- Start fresh: Deleting all columns can clear up the entire sheet and give you a fresh start if needed.
No matter the reason, it’s quick and simple to delete columns in Excel.
How to Delete a Single Column
Deleting a single column in Excel takes just a couple of clicks. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Select the Column
- Click on the column header to select the entire column. The column header is the alphabet that labels each column.
For example, click on the “B” to select Column B.
- The entire column will be highlighted.
Step 2: Right Click and Delete
- With the column selected, right-click on the column header.
- A menu will appear. Select Delete from the menu.
- This will instantly delete the entire column and its data.
All columns to the right of the deleted column will shift left to fill the gap.
And that’s it! The column is deleted. This removes the column and all its data from the spreadsheet.
How to Delete Multiple Columns
You can use a similar method to delete multiple adjacent columns together:
Step 1: Select the Columns
- Click and drag across the column headers to highlight the columns you want to delete.
For example, drag from Column B to Column D to select three columns.
Step 2: Right Click and Delete
- With the columns selected, right click on any of the highlighted column headers.
- Click Delete from the menu.
All the selected columns and their data will be removed. This is an easy way to delete a range of columns at once.
How to Delete Non-Adjacent Columns
To delete non-adjacent columns (columns that are not next to each other):
Step 1: Select the First Column
- Click the column header of the first column you want to delete.
Step 2: Hold CTRL and Select Other Columns
- Hold the CTRL key and select other column headers you want to delete.
This allows you to pick and choose any columns, regardless of position.
Step 3: Right Click and Delete
- Right-click on the selected columns and select Delete.
This will remove all the highlighted columns, leaving the data organized.
Delete Columns Using the Delete Option
In addition to right-clicking, you can also use the Delete option in the Home tab:
Step 1: Select Column(s)
- Highlight the column(s) you want to delete.
Step 2: Click the Delete Icon
- In the Home tab, click the Delete icon (shaped like an eraser).
Step 3: Choose Entire Column
- From the menu, select Delete Sheet Columns.
The selected columns will now be removed immediately.
How to Delete All Columns on a Sheet
If you want to delete every single column on a sheet, here’s a quick way to do it:
Select the Entire Sheet
- Click the empty cell above Column A and to the left of Row 1.
This selects the entire sheet.
Press DELETE
- Simply press the Delete key on your keyboard.
Click OK
- A dialog will appear asking you to confirm column deletion. Click OK.
All columns on the active sheet will now be deleted, quickly clearing up the entire spreadsheet.
How to Delete Columns in Excel for Mac
The column deletion process is very similar on Excel for Mac:
Step 1: Select Column(s)
- Click the column header(s) to highlight the column(s) to delete.
Step 2: Right Click and Click Delete
- Right click on the selected column(s).
- Click Delete from the menu.
The columns will be removed immediately.
How to Delete Columns in Excel Online
Excel Online is the web browser version of Excel available through OneDrive. Here’s how to delete columns:
Step 1: Select the Column(s)
- Click the column header(s) to select the columns you want to delete.
Step 2: Click the Delete Icon
- In the toolbar at the top, click the Delete icon (shaped like an eraser).
Step 3: Confirm Delete
- A window will appear asking you to confirm column deletion. Click Delete.
The selected columns will now be deleted.
How to Delete Blank Columns in Excel
If your spreadsheet contains many blank columns without any data, here’s a quick way to clean it up by deleting all blank columns at once:
Select All Columns
- Select the entire sheet by clicking above Column A.
Filter to Show Blanks
- Click the filter icon on Column A to filter the sheet.
- Uncheck the box for Blanks in the filter dropdown.
Delete Visible Columns
- All blank columns will now be hidden. Right click on any visible column, and select Delete Visible Columns.
This will delete all blank columns in one go, while keeping columns with data intact.
Top Tips for Deleting Columns in Excel
Here are some top tips to keep in mind when deleting columns in Excel:
- Press CTRL+Z immediately after deletion to undo it, in case you delete the wrong column.
- Double check which columns are selected before deleting to avoid accidental data loss.
- Be mindful of any formulas that refer to deleted columns, as they may show errors.
- Freeze columns you want to keep in place if shifting data is not desired after deletion.
- Sort your data first to push unwanted columns to the right, where they’re easier to select and delete.
- Clean up blank columns occasionally to reduce spreadsheet size and clutter.
Conclusion
Deleting unnecessary columns is an easy way to clean up clutter in Excel. With just a few clicks, you can delete single columns, multiple columns, non-adjacent columns, blank columns or all columns. Just be cautious not to accidentally delete or shift important data.
Following the steps outlined, you’ll be able to precisely delete columns across Excel for Windows, Mac and Excel Online. With a clutter-free spreadsheet, you can focus on the data that matters the most.
FAQs
Is column data deleted permanently after deletion?
Yes, when you delete a column all data in that column is permanently removed. The data cannot be recovered.
Can I delete columns on Excel for mobile?
Yes, you can delete columns in the Excel mobile app for iOS and Android devices. The process is the same as on desktop.
What happens to cells referred to in formulas if their columns get deleted?
If a formula refers to a cell in a deleted column, it will show a #REF! error after deletion. You’ll need to edit the formula to remove or update the invalid reference.
How do I delete a column without shifting data to the left in Excel?
Right click on the selected column(s) > Delete > Delete cells instead of Entire column. This will clear the column but not shift any other columns.
Can I delete all columns except a few I select in Excel?
Yes, you can invert your column selection before deleting. Click the empty cell above Column A to select all. Then hold CTRL and select columns not to delete. Right click and delete visible columns only.
