Introduction
Deleting empty rows in an Excel sheet can help make your data easier to read and analyze. Often times, empty rows can create confusion and clutter to your otherwise organized spreadsheet. In this article, we will explore different methods for deleting empty rows in Excel, from basic to more advanced strategies.
Step-by-Step Guide
The most basic method for deleting empty rows in Excel is to manually select and delete them. However, this method can be time-consuming, especially if you have a lot of empty rows to delete. The following steps demonstrate a quick way to select and delete multiple rows at once.
Select the entire sheet
To select the entire sheet, you can click on the small rectangle in the top-left corner of the spreadsheet. It’s located above the “1” and to the left of the “A”.
Navigate to the “Go To Special” window
On the “Home” tab, click on the “Find & Select” button, then select “Go To Special…”.
Select the “Blanks” option
In the “Go To Special” window, select the “Blanks” option and click “OK”.
Delete the selected rows
Once the empty cells are selected, simply right-click on any of the selected cells and click “Delete…” and select “Entire row” in the pop-up window. The empty rows will be deleted instantaneously.
Shortcut Keys
If you prefer to work with shortcut keys, here are a few to help you get through the process:
- Select the entire sheet: Press “Ctrl+A” on your keyboard
- Navigate to the “Go To Special” window: Press “Ctrl+G”, then “Alt+S”.
- Select the “Blanks” option: Press “Alt+B” and then click “OK”.
- Delete the selected rows: Press “Ctrl+-” and select “Entire row” in the pop-up window.
Macro Recording
If you have to perform this task regularly, you can use a macro to speed up the process. Here’s how:
Activate the “Developer” tab
Click on the “File” tab, then select “Options”. In the “Excel Options” window, select “Customize Ribbon” and then check the box next to “Developer”.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Select any cell in the sheet
- Click on the “Developer” tab, then click “Record Macro”.
- Name your macro, choose a shortcut key if desired, and select where to store it. Click “OK”.
- Perform the actions listed in the “Step-by-Step Guide” above.
- Click on the “Developer” tab and then click “Stop Recording”.
The recorded macro will delete empty rows every time you press the shortcut key you chose.
Video Tutorial
For those who prefer a more visual approach, here is a video tutorial:
Online Tools
There are several free online tools that can be used for deleting empty rows in Excel without having to install anything:
- Excel Remove Blank Rows: A simple tool that detects and removes all blank rows in your Excel sheet.
- AbleBits: AbleBits has a number of time-saving add-ins for Microsoft Excel, including an add-in to remove blank rows.
- ExcelDome: Enter the range of cells you want to check and delete, click “Delete Blank Rows”, and the macro will do the rest.
Conclusion
In this article, we covered several methods for deleting empty rows in Excel. Whether you prefer using shortcut keys, recorded macros or online tools, there’s a solution for everyone. Remember, keeping your workbook clean and organized can help you save time and work more efficiently.
Try experimenting with all the methods we covered in different situations to determine which works best for you. With these techniques at your fingertips, you can eliminate clutter from your spreadsheets in no time.