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Delete Row Shortcut Excel Users Need

ExcelExcelRows and columnsChecked 2 Nov 2026

Select the row

ShiftSpace

Delete it

CtrlMinus

Delete a column

CtrlSpace

Then Ctrl + Minus

Ribbon keys

AltHD

Then R for rows, C for columns

The delete row shortcut excel offers is a pair of keys: Shift + Space highlights the row and Ctrl + Minus removes it. The rows below move up to fill the gap, and formulas adjust automatically.

Pressing Delete on a selected row only clears its contents and leaves an empty row behind. Ctrl + Minus removes the row itself. For columns, select with Ctrl + Space instead and use the same delete key.

Quick facts

  • Select row

    Shift + Space

  • Delete row

    Ctrl + Minus

  • Select column

    Ctrl + Space

  • From one cell

    Ctrl + Minus, then R

  • Ribbon

    Alt, then H, then D, then R

  • Undo

    Ctrl + Z

Delete row shortcut excel steps

  1. Click any cell in the row to remove.
  2. Highlight that row completely with Shift + Space.
  3. Press Ctrl + Minus. The row disappears and the rows below move up.
  4. If you deleted the wrong one, press Ctrl + Z straight away.

Minus is the key with the dash, beside 0; the keypad minus does the job too. If only a cell is selected, Ctrl + Minus asks what to delete: press R for entire row, then Enter.

Delete rows and columns: all the keys

Removing rows and columns
TaskKeys
Delete selected rowsShift + Space followed by Ctrl + Minus
Delete selected columnsCtrl + Space followed by Ctrl + Minus
Delete rows through the ribbonAlt, then H, then D, then R
Delete columns through the ribbonAlt, then H, then D, then C
Clear contents only, keep the rowDelete
Repeat the last deleteF4

How to delete rows in Excel in bulk

Select several rows together first: Shift + Space, then Shift + Down for each extra row, then Ctrl + Minus. For rows scattered through the sheet, hold Ctrl and click their row numbers, then press Ctrl + Minus once. To remove blank rows, select the column, press F5, choose Special, then Blanks, and delete the selected rows. Check the result with a quick scroll, because a row that is blank in one column may still hold data in another.

Filtered list? Filter for the rows to remove, select them, press Alt + ; to select only visible cells, then Ctrl + Minus. Hidden rows are left untouched.

Delete column shortcut in Excel

Columns follow the same pattern. Ctrl + Space selects the column the cursor is in, Shift + Right extends it, and Ctrl + Minus removes them. Formulas that pointed at deleted cells show #REF, so check totals after deleting columns. The insert keys are in insert row shortcut and insert column shortcut.

When delete row does not work

Problems and fixes
ProblemFix
Row is cleared but not removedYou pressed Delete; use Ctrl + Minus
Ctrl + Minus zooms outYou are in a browser; use Excel's own keys there
Cannot delete, sheet protectedUnprotect it under Review
#REF errors after deletingFormulas used the deleted cells; undo and adjust them
A store keeper removes discontinued items from a stock list. She filters for Discontinued, selects the visible rows, and presses Ctrl + Minus. Forty rows go in one step and the rest of the list stays intact.

Delete rows in Excel for Mac

In Excel for Mac, select the row and Control click its number, then choose Delete. Before deleting large parts of a shared sheet, save a copy with F12 so you can compare later if a colleague asks where a row went. Deleting whole sheets is covered in delete sheet shortcut, and general delete keys in delete shortcut key.

This site is not affiliated with Microsoft or Apple; this is an independent explanation.

Frequently asked questions

What is the shortcut to delete a row in Excel?
Shift + Space, then Ctrl + Minus.
What is the delete column shortcut in Excel?
Ctrl + Space, then Ctrl + Minus.
Why does Delete not remove the row?

Delete clears contents. Ctrl + Minus removes the row.

How do I delete many rows at once?

Select them all first, then press Ctrl + Minus once.

How do I delete only visible filtered rows?

Select them, press Alt + ;, then Ctrl + Minus.

Can I undo deleting a row?

Yes, press Ctrl + Z.