How to delete multiple columns in excel

Answer

To delete multiple columns in Excel, follow the column selection process and apply the delete command without leaving blank cells. The method does not require formulas.

Windows and Mac Instructions

The steps differ only in keyboard commands for selecting nonadjacent columns.

Deleting Adjacent Columns

1. Select the first column header you want to delete.

2. Hold Shift.

3. Select the last column header in the range.

4. Right-click the selected headers.

5. Select Delete.

Excel removes the entire column block in a single action.

Deleting Nonadjacent Columns

1. Select the first column header.

2. Hold Ctrl on Windows or Command on Mac.

3. Select each additional column header.

4. Right-click any selected header.

5. Select Delete.

Excel deletes every selected nonadjacent column.

Deleting Columns With the Ribbon

1. Select one or more column headers using the steps above.

2. Go to the Home tab.

3. Go to the Cells group.

4. Select Delete.

5. Select Delete Sheet Columns.

Deleting Columns Using the Keyboard Shortcut

1. Select your columns.

2. Press Ctrl + Minus ( - ) on Windows or Command + Minus ( - ) on Mac.

3. Confirm deletion from the dialog box when prompted.

Key Performance Notes

Excel deletes entire column structures and shifts the remaining columns left. Column deletion reduces file size when removing formatting-heavy regions because unused column formatting stores metadata. Column removal improves calculation speed when deleting fields with volatile formulas because recalculation volume drops.

Best Practices

1. Verify the selection count before deletion because Excel does not warn when deleting structural data.

2. Keep a backup version of the workbook to maintain data integrity.

3. Use undo (Ctrl + Z or Command + Z) immediately after deletion to restore columns without data loss.

4. Use grouped selection through Shift for large ranges because the operation reduces input actions by 60–80% compared to manual deletion.

Common Issues

1. Protected sheets block column deletion. Unprotect the sheet from Review → Unprotect Sheet.

2. Tables restrict column deletion through normal commands. Convert the table to a range from Table Design → Convert to Range, then delete columns.

3. Merged cells spanning multiple columns cause deletion rules to vary. Unmerge through Home → Merge & Center → Unmerge Cells.

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