Organizing data within Google Sheets can be an invaluable tool for businesses of any size. However, it can be difficult to figure out how to delete multiple rows of data at once. This blog post will address how to delete multiple rows in Google Sheets with ease and efficiency. By the end of reading this article, readers should feel comfortable with the process of deleting multiple rows in the spreadsheet application. We will discuss the different methods available to delete multiple rows and provide detailed instructions on how to execute the process. Whether you’re a business owner needing to delete multiple rows for data organization purposes, or a student seeking to delete a large section of a spreadsheet, this blog post will provide you with the information you need to get the job done.
How to delete multiple rows in Google sheets
Some useful terms to know when working with Google Sheets
To better understand how to delete multiple rows in Google Sheets, here are some key terms associated with spreadsheets:
When to delete multiple rows in Google Sheets
You might need to delete multiple rows in Google Sheets for a variety of reasons. Spreadsheets are frequently kept up-to-date by users, who add to and remove data as necessary. Rows of data that were previously added may eventually become irrelevant or unimportant, or you may need to remove incorrect or empty cells that have an impact on the structure of the data. You can quickly remove unwanted cells by deleting multiple rows at once without affecting the order of your other rows.
How to delete multiple rows in Google Sheets
On a laptop or desktop computer, the steps are the same across all operating systems for deleting multiple rows in Google Sheets, but there are some differences when using a mobile device. Multiple platforms are used in the steps listed below to delete multiple rows at once in Google Sheets:
1. Log in to your Google account and open a spreadsheet
You must have a filled-out spreadsheet before you can delete rows. All of your files are stored on Google Drive by Google Workspace, so sign in with the account linked to the file you want to edit. Your files can be located on Google Docs or on Drive. Double-click a file icon to open it. As an alternative, you can right-click the icon on Drive and select “Open with.” You can choose “Open in new tab” by clicking the vertical ellipsis points on the file icon in Docs. “.
On a mobile device, tap the icon once to open the file in the cloud. If you have a spreadsheet app on your device, you can use the “Open with” or “Download” option to open it locally.
2. Locate and select your range
To find the rows you want to delete, scroll through the spreadsheet or use the search function. By clicking once on its row heading, which highlights the entire row, you can choose the top row of the range. If the is close by, select the bottom row of your range while holding down the “Shift” key on your keyboard. Holding down the “Control” or “Command” key while choosing each pertinent row heading on your keyboard will allow you to select multiple rows at once if the range is not adjacent.
When you choose the topmost row heading on a mobile device, the selection handler appears. You can highlight your range by dragging the selection handler’s bottom portion. You cant select a nonadjacent range on a mobile platform.
3. Open the context menu
Rows cannot be deleted using the keyboard’s “Delete” key. Instead, by right-clicking on a row heading, you can access a context menu where the deletion option can be found. You can right-click on any of the cells in your range if it is adjacent. There are fewer places from which you can open the context menu if it’s not adjacent. The best way is to right-click on the bottom row, which will change your cursor’s arrow into a hand icon. Avoid clicking outside of the chosen row headings to avoid deselecting your range.
When using a mobile device, you can access the context menu by holding a finger over any cell within your range. After a second, a horizontal context menu appears. To access the appropriate section of the menu, choose the vertical ellipsis points on the menu’s far right.
4. Delete the rows
For adjacent ranges, the context menu shows five discrete sections. The option to delete rows is in the second section. The row headings in your range are listed after the phrase “Delete rows.” To remove all the rows in your adjacent range, choose that option. The desired option is in the first of the context menu’s three distinct sections for nonadjacent ranges. Its the very first option, reading “Delete selected rows. ” Click on it. As an alternative, you can remove rows using the toolbar’s “Edit” menu.
On mobile devices, the “Delete” option is the third from the top, immediately below “Clear,” and is positioned above “Freeze.” To delete the chosen rows from your spreadsheet, select “Delete.”
Tips for deleting multiple rows in Google Sheets
The following advice will help you delete multiple rows in Google Sheets:
Create a filter
You can quickly find and delete the rows you want to remove if they are all blank rows by creating a filter. Filters enable you to view only the cells that are relevant to a given set of parameters by momentarily removing components from the interface. To create a filter follow these steps:
When using a mobile device, after highlighting the sheet, click on the vertical ellipsis points in the top toolbar to access the “Create a filter” option.
Deselect rows
You may occasionally unintentionally select a row that you do not want to delete. You can deselect individual rows in a nonadjacent range without having to restart the range selection. To do this, click the heading of the row you want to deselect once more while continuing to hold down the “Control” or “Command” key.
Undo deletion
There are several ways to undo your deletion of a row that you would have preferred to keep. You can choose the “Undo” option from the “Edit” menu using a mouse or trackpad, or you can click the “Undo” icon directly beneath the toolbar on the far left side. If you’d prefer to use a keyboard shortcut, press “Z” while holding down the “Control” or “Command” key. The “Undo” icon is the very first choice in the top toolbar on mobile devices.
Please note that Indeed is not affiliated with any of the businesses mentioned in this article.
FAQ
How do I delete thousands of rows in Google Sheets?
If there are any empty rows in your sheet, you can delete them by performing a right-click and selecting Delete Rows (2–1000).
How do I delete multiple rows at once?
Select the rows you want to remove from your worksheet by clicking on their row headers and dragging them down to the header of the last row you want to remove. Right-click on the row header and select Delete. Choose Home > Cells > Delete > Delete Sheet Rows from the Ribbon.
How do I delete multiple rows in Google Docs table?
…
To add a row or column next to the selected cell, click:
- Insert column left.
- Insert column right.
- Insert row above.
- Insert row below.
How do I delete multiple filtered rows in Google Sheets?
In Google Sheets, select the Month filter button in cell D2, check only February (uncheck January), and then click OK. 2. Now only rows with Feb-21 in Column D are filtered. Right-click anywhere in the active area, select “Delete selected rows,” and then select the filtered rows.
