The shortcut to delete sheet in Excel is a ribbon sequence: with the sheet open, press Alt, H, D, S one after another. If the sheet has data, Excel asks you to confirm; press Enter to delete it.
Be careful: deleting a sheet cannot be undone with Ctrl + Z. If you are not sure, hide the sheet instead, or save a copy of the workbook first. Both options are explained below.
Quick facts
Delete sheet
Alt, then H, then D, then SOlder keys, still accepted
Alt, then E, then LConfirm
EnterUndo
Not possible; close without saving to recoverHide instead
Alt, then H, then O, then U, then SMouse
Right click the tab, Delete
Shortcut to delete sheet in Excel, step by step
- Go to the sheet you want to remove, for example with Ctrl + PgDn.
- Press Alt, then H, then D, then S.
- If a warning appears, read it and press Enter to delete, or Esc to keep the sheet.
- The next sheet becomes active.
The older menu sequence Alt, E, L, from the days before the ribbon, still works in current versions too. Excel shows a hint box confirming the old command as you type it.
Delete several sheets at once
Hold Ctrl and click each sheet tab to select them, or hold Shift and click the first and last tab of a range. The title bar shows Group. Then press Alt, H, D, S. All selected sheets are removed together. A workbook must keep at least one visible sheet, so you cannot delete every sheet.
Why Ctrl + Z cannot bring a sheet back
Excel does not keep deleted sheets in its undo list. If you delete the wrong one, close the workbook without saving and reopen it; the sheet will be back as of your last save. If you already saved, look for an earlier copy, or use version history if the file is stored in the cloud. This is why many offices hide old sheets instead of deleting them.
Hide a sheet instead of deleting it
| Action | Keys | Data kept? |
|---|---|---|
| Delete sheet | Alt, then H, then D, then S | No |
| Hide sheet | Alt, then H, then O, then U, then S | Yes, sheet invisible |
| Unhide sheet | Alt, then H, then O, then U, then H | Shows hidden sheets |
Formulas that refer to a deleted sheet show #REF errors; hidden sheets keep them working. The hide in Excel page has more detail.
When the sheet will not delete
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Delete Sheet greyed out | Workbook structure is protected; unprotect it under Review |
| Only one sheet left | Excel needs at least one visible sheet |
| Wrong sheet deleted | Close without saving and reopen |
| Formulas show #REF | They pointed to the deleted sheet; fix the references |
Frequently asked questions
Which keys delete a worksheet in Excel?
Can I undo deleting a sheet in Excel?
No. Close without saving and reopen to get it back.
How do I delete multiple sheets at once?
Select their tabs with Ctrl or Shift, then use the delete keys.
Why is Delete Sheet greyed out?
The workbook structure is protected.
Should I hide or delete a sheet?
Hide it if formulas use it or you may need it later.
How do I delete a sheet in Excel for Mac?
Control click the sheet tab and choose Delete.