How to Delete Blank Rows in Excel

Blank rows in Excel can be incredibly annoying, making the sheet look sloppy and hindering data navigation. Users can permanently delete every row manually for smaller sheets. Still, this method can be incredibly time-consuming if you deal with a large amount of data under a tight deadline. Fortunately, Excel offers plenty of easier ways to do this.

This article will show you how to delete blank rows en-masse in Excel.

Using the Find & Select Option to Delete Blank Rows

The find option isn’t just for locating information within the Excel sheet. It’s also great for finding extra rows and then deleting them. This method should delete unnecessary rows and leave you with a tidy sheet. However, you might need additional formatting, so review all your information after using this method.

1. Open your Excel sheet and click the “Find & Select” option in the home tab at the top of the screen.
   
2. Select the “Go to Special” option.
   
3. Click “Blanks” and then select “ok.”
   
4. The document will automatically highlight all the blank cells you won’t need.
   
5. Select the “Delete” option below the home tab.
   
6. Click on “Delete Sheet Rows.”
   

Once completing this process, scroll down and give your sheet a quick look over. You’ll be able to identify any disturbances or poor formatting in the sheet.

Using a Filter to Delete Blank Rows

If the method above doesn’t work, you can still use a filter to eliminate them. This method has been tried and tested through the years.

To do so, follow the steps below:

1. Select your entire database. To select all rows, click on the tiny triangle in the upper left corner of the spreadsheet (above row 1 and left to column A).
   
2. From the top of your interface, click the Data Menu.
   
3. Click on the “Filter” option and select the blanks. This will make the empty rows show up.
   
4. Right-click on the empty row number and select the “Delete” option.
   

This method is handy if you want to keep some empty rows for later use. To do that, just deselect one of the rows. You can also delete rows one by one. It gives you more control over deleting them by choosing the number of rows rather than deleting them all at once. However, this can be time-consuming if there’s a lot of information.

Using the Manual Methods to Get Rid of Blank Rows

Suppose you’re not dealing with an overwhelming amount of information. In that case, you can still get rid of rows quickly and easily through a manual method. This option entails using commands you’ll frequently need, so they’re also a good form of practice. Here’s the manual way:

1. Click on the row numbers you want to delete while holding down the CTRL key.
   
2. Once you select all the rows you want to delete while still holding down CTRL, right-click and select “Delete” from the menu.
   

It’s as simple as that. This small and manual method can also be part of other methods, such as previous processes. You can hold down the CTRL key instead of selecting a row and deleting them all individually.

However, there are other ways to complete the third step. Instead of right-clicking to delete, you can also:

• Go to the upper ribbon while the rows are still selected and click on “Delete” and then “Delete Sheet Rows.”
• Use the command “CTRL+ -“.
• Enter the empty row number in the name box next to the formula bar, press Enter.

It may not seem like a huge difference, but keyboard commands can shave time off formatting. When it all adds up, it’s a more convenient option in the long run.

The Sorting Method for Deleting Blank Rows in Excel

There are many more ways of deleting rowsin Excel. Your chosen method should be the one most convenient for you. However, we also recommend the sorting method, which will help you see all the empty rows and then delete them afterward.

As convenient as the sorting method is, it changes the order of your information. This method should only be reserved for tables where the order is not a prime factor or concern. Here’s how to root out any empty rows using the sorting function.

1. Select your whole table by using the “CTRL + A” command.
   
2. Navigate to the Data tab and select one of the sorting functions. These are icons with “A” and Z” with an arrow pointing upwards and downwards. Either option is acceptable. Depending on which function you choose, all the empty rows will appear at the top or bottom.
   
3. Select each row while holding down the shift key and then right-click.
   
4. Select the “Delete” option.
   

The sorting method is beneficial because it simultaneously eliminates empty rows for the whole table. You’ll also be able to correctly remove duplicates or unnecessary information from the newly ordered view. It’s especially useful if you’re also concerned with your data’s readability.

FAQs

Can I individually delete empty cells and rows?

While you can delete individual cells, this is not recommended, as it’s better to delete a whole row or more. Deleting individual cells can very quickly mess up the formatting of your sheet.

Will deleting a row mess up information in my other rows and columns?

Deleting empty rows usually won’t mess up any information from your document. The cells will automatically shift. However, some methods like the sorting method might change the order of your information.

Can I use the same methods above to delete columns?

Yes, some of the methods above will allow you to delete columns, not just rows.

Do I need to use keyboard shortcuts when deleting rows in Excel?

Though they make the process much easier, you technically don’t need to know keyboard shortcuts when deleting rows or editing documents in Excel. Instead, you can use the options on the ribbon at the top of your screen.

Delete Unwanted Rows Like a Pro

Deleting empty rows in Excel doesn’t have to be complicated. There are numerous ways to do so suited for more extensive and smaller tables. Users will want to master critical commands such as the “CTRL + -” option. However, selecting the necessary rows while holding the shift key is also essential. The “Find & Select” and Filter options will also work. If your data is not order sensitive, then the sorting option will get rid of unnecessary rows easily.

Did you find it easy to eliminate extra rows using the methods above? Which one was the easiest? Let us know in the comment section below.