Delete Data

Download starting Sheet

Now we're going to learn how to delete data.

Suppose the last expense entry you did was completely wrong, and you need to delete it.

There are 2 ways to delete data, and the best way to think about it is to imagine that the data is written on a piece of paper:

1. Clear Contents
   • This is like using an eraser to rub out what you've written
2. Delete cells
   • This is the equivalent to cutting out a section of the paper, and sewing together what's left.

Let's practise both:

Clear Contents

1. Select cell A4
2. Press SHIFT + SPACE
3. Right click on cell A4
4. Choose "Clear Contents"
5. Alternatively, replace Steps 3 and 4 by just pressing the Delete button on your keyboard. Oddly, this doesn't delete the cells, it just clears the contents.

If you realise that you didn't want to delete the data after all, press CTRL + Z  to Undo what you just did. Do that now so we can practise the other way to delete data.

Delete cells

1. Select cell A4
2. Press SHIFT + SPACE
3. Right click on cell A4
4. Choose "Delete"
5. Alternatively, replace Steps 3 and 4 by just pressing CTRL + -

 You should now have this:

Your sheet should now look like this

Next lesson: Teach Yourself Excel Lesson 10 - Format Data

Training Video on how to Delete Data in Excel: