How to delete columns in excel

Answer

To delete columns in Excel, remove entire vertical data structures from a worksheet while preserving the remaining layout. Excel performs the deletion by shifting adjacent columns to the left.

How to delete columns using the Ribbon

To delete columns using the Ribbon, use the Home tab controls.

1. Select the column letters you want to delete.

2. Go to Home on the Ribbon.

3. Click Delete in the Cells group.

4. Choose Delete Sheet Columns.

Windows and MacBook share the same steps on the Ribbon.

How to delete columns using right-click

To delete columns using right-click, use the context menu.

1. Select one or more column letters.

2. Right-click the selection.

3. Choose Delete.

Windows and MacBook share identical right-click steps.

How to delete multiple non-adjacent columns

To delete non-adjacent columns, apply multiple selections.

1. Hold Ctrl on Windows or Command on MacBook.

2. Click each column letter you want to delete.

3. Right-click any selected column.

4. Click Delete.

How to delete columns with keyboard shortcuts

To delete columns with shortcuts, perform a Column Delete command.

Windows:

1. Select the column.

2. Press Ctrl + –.

3. Choose Entire column when the dialog appears.

4. Press Enter.

MacBook:

1. Select the column.

2. Press Command + –.

How to delete blank columns

To delete blank columns, use Go To Special to detect empty structures.

1. Select the range of columns.

2. Press Ctrl + G on Windows or Command + G on MacBook.

3. Click Special.

4. Choose Blanks.

5. Go to Home > Delete > Delete Sheet Columns.

How to delete columns with filters applied

To delete filtered columns, clear the filters first to avoid partial visibility issues.

1. Go to Data on the Ribbon.

2. Click Clear to remove filters.

3. Select the column.

4. Press Ctrl + – (Windows) or Command + – (MacBook).

How to delete columns without breaking formulas

To delete columns without breaking formulas, confirm that the formulas don’t reference the target columns. Deleting a referenced column returns a #REF! result. Evaluate cell references before performing the delete action.

1. Select the cells that contain formulas.

2. Press Ctrl + []** on Windows or **Command + [] on MacBook to show formulas.

3. Confirm that the formula structure does not rely on the column you want to remove.

4. Delete the column using your preferred method.

How to delete columns in a protected sheet

To delete columns in a protected sheet, remove sheet protection first.

1. Go to Review on the Ribbon.

2. Click Unprotect Sheet.

3. Enter the password if required.

4. Select the column and delete it.

5. Protect the sheet again if needed.

How to delete columns using Power Query

To delete columns using Power Query, edit the query steps.

1. Select your data and choose Data > From Table/Range.

2. Inside Power Query, select columns to remove.

3. Right-click and choose Remove Columns.

4. Click Close & Load.

How to delete all columns to the right of your data

To delete unused columns, remove everything beyond the last active field.

1. Click the first blank column to the right of your dataset.

2. Press Ctrl + Shift + Right Arrow on Windows or Command + Shift + Right Arrow on MacBook.

3. Right-click and choose Delete.

How to undo a column deletion

To undo a deletion, use Excel’s revert function.

1. Press Ctrl + Z on Windows or Command + Z on MacBook immediately after deletion.

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