how to delete columns in excel

Excel Merge button is not the appropriate solution to combine columns into one list without losing the data because it keeps only the value from the upper left cell from the selection:

There are several ways to merge excel columns , but the commonly used are:

Combine columns into one list with CONCATENATE function
Merge excel columns using NotePad

This step by step tutorial will assist all levels of Excel users to combine multiple columns in Excel and Google Sheets into one column .

Delete a Column in Excel and Google Sheets

If we want to delete a column in Excel we have to select the column by clicking on the column header and to do the right mouse click and choose the Delete option in the drop-down list.

Figure 1. Delete a column in Excel

To delete columns in Google Sheets logic is almost the same. In column header in the down right corner open drop-down list and choose option Delete column.

Figure 2. Delete a column in Google Sheets

Delete a Row in Excel and Google Sheets

To delete a row in Excel we can use Delete tab under Home-Cells in Excel. First, we have to select the cell in the row to be deleted and to click on the Delete tab under the section Home-Cells.

Figure 3. Delete a row in Excel using Delete tab

Choose Delete Sheets Rows and row 4 will be deleted:

Figure 4. The Result after deleting

In Google Sheets, we can delete a row by clicking on the cell in the row to be deleted, right mouse clicking and selecting the option Delete row from the list.

Figure 5. Delete a row in Google Sheets

Delete Blank Cells in Excel

There is a fast solution to delete blank cells in Excel. First, we have to select the cell range where we want to r emove empty cells in Excel and then to click on the Go to Special button under the tab Home-Editing-Find&Select

Figure 6. Remove empty cells in Excel

Choose Blanks and click on the OK button:

Figure 7. Select empty cells in Excel

As a result, we want to delete all rows that contain empty cell in the selected range. We should go to tab Home-Cells-Delete and choose Delete Sheet Rows :

Figure 8. Remove rows that contain blank cells

Finally, all rows that contain empty cells are deleted:

Figure 9. The final output of removing rows containing blank cells

If we want to delete just blank cells in the selected range, instead of choosing Delete Sheet Rows we should select Delete cells .

To delete blank cells in Excel Mac we should follow slightly different steps:

Select the cell range, and then select Edit-Go To and click the Special button.
Choose Blanks and select the OK button to confirm.
Right mouse click on the selected empty cell, choose Delete and Entire row
After pressing the OK button all rows with empty cells in excel mac will be deleted.

Delete Rows and Columns in Excel that Go On Forever

If we want to delete Rows or Columns in Excel that go on forever we can easily do that with keyboard shortcuts. First, we have to select the first row or column by clicking on the row or column header. Then, we can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+Down arrow to select all rows or Ctrl+Shift+Right arrow to select all columns on the right side from the selected one.

Please note that if there are empty rows or columns after the selected ones we should press Down arrow (Right arrow) several times, while still holding Ctrl+Shift until entire rows and columns are selected.

Figure 10. Select rows in Excel that go on forever

Now we can delete rows or columns in excel that go on forever with keyboard shortcut Ctrl – or by right-clicking on the selected cells and pressing Delete .

Figure 11. Delete rows or columns in Excel that go on forever

Delete Multiple Cells in Excel or Google Sheets

To Delete multiple cells in Excel and respected rows we have to select the cells to be deleted and to press Delete Sheet Rows under the tab Home-Cells-Delete:

Figure 12. Select multiple cells in Excel

As a result rows with selected cells are deleted:

Figure 13. Delete multiple cells in Excel

If we want to delete columns with selected cells we have to choose Delete Sheet Columns under the tab Home-Cells-Delete.

In Google Sheets, we can delete multiple columns or rows by selecting the column/row header with left mouse clicking and pressing the keyboard tab Ctrl to select columns/rows:

Figure 14. Select multiple columns in Google Sheets

Right mouse click on the selected cells and choose Delete columns B-C:

Figure 15. Delete multiple columns in Google Sheets

If there were selected rows, we will have Delete rows option in the list.

Most of the time, the problem you will need to solve will be more complex than a simple application of a formula or function. If you want to save hours of research and frustration, try our live Excelchat service! Our Excel Experts are available 24/7 to answer any Excel question you may have. We guarantee a connection within 30 seconds and a customized solution within 20 minutes.