Key Takeaway:
- Excel offers a variety of shortcuts for clearing cell contents ranging from basic deletion with the delete or backspace key to more advanced options such as clearing formats or removing duplicates.
- Additional shortcuts include selecting cells with Go To Special, customizing keyboard shortcuts, using CTRL+Z to undo an action, and utilizing macros for more complex tasks.
- Knowing these shortcuts can save time and improve efficiency when working with large amounts of data in Excel. It’s important to familiarize oneself with these shortcuts in order to streamline workflows and increase productivity.
Do you dread having to clear large chunks of data manually in Excel? Look no further – here are 25 shortcuts to help you do it quickly and efficiently. You’ll have clear cells in no time!
25 Excel Shortcuts for Clearing Cell Contents
Want to master Excel shortcuts for clearing cell contents? 25 solutions exist! Each sub-section of this section introduces a different shortcut. It’ll help you navigate Excel quickly and efficiently. Sub-sections include:
- Delete Key
- Backspace Key
- Clear All
- Clear Formats
- Clear Contents
- Clear Comments
- Clear Hyperlink
- Clear Validation
- Clear Conditional Formatting
- Remove Duplicates
Image credits: chouprojects.com by Yuval Woodhock
Shortcut #1: Delete Key
When editing data in Excel, clearing cell contents is a common task. Here’s how to do it with Shortcut #1: Pressing Delete Key.
- Select the cell(s) you want to clear.
- Press the Delete key on your keyboard.
- A prompt may appear asking if you want to delete the content of the selected cells. Click “Delete” or press Enter to confirm.
- If you want to remove only data (not formatting), use Alt + H + E + A.
- For complete removal (including formatting and comments), use Alt + H + E + F.
Notably, using delete key while highlighting certain merged cells may produce unexpected results.
Fun Fact: Microsoft Excel was first released for Macintosh systems in 1985 before being made available for Windows in 1987.
Deleting cell contents with the Backspace key is like erasing your ex’s number from your phone – satisfying and therapeutic.
Shortcut #2: Backspace Key
When working with Excel, it’s important to be efficient in clearing cell contents. One helpful shortcut is using the Backspace Key.
Here’s a 6-Step Guide to using this shortcut:
- Select the cells whose contents you want to clear.
- Press the Backspace Key.
- Alternatively, press the Delete Key.
- If you have content in a single cell, you can simply click on that cell and press either the Backspace or Delete key.
- If you have multiple rows or columns of data that need content cleared, perform steps one through four and extend it from there.
- You can also use shortcuts such as Alt+H+E+A after step one to go directly to ‘Clear All.’
What sets this shortcut apart from others is its universal nature; it works for both Mac and PC versions of Excel.
Along with being useful in clearing cell contents, this shortcut also allows for quick and easy corrections without having to manually remove previous entries.
In fact, an accountant once shared how she was able to save valuable time during tax season by utilizing Excel shortcuts like this one. By implementing this technique throughout her workday, she was able to process reports much more efficiently – allowing her extra time to fine-tune important details.
Why delete just one cell when you can clear them all with just one shortcut? #EfficiencyAtItsFinest
Shortcut #3: Clear All
For those who wish to clear all the cell contents quickly in Excel, there is a shortcut available.
To use Shortcut #3: Clear All, follow these three simple steps:
- Select the cells from which you want to remove all data.
- Hit the ‘Delete‘ function key on your keyboard.
- Select ‘Clear All‘ button under the Home tab located in the Editing group of Excel’s ribbon interface.
It’s worth noting that this shortcut deletes not only values but also any formatting or formulas contained within the selected cells.
For more efficient usage of Excel and for saving time, remember to utilize this incredible option available.
Don’t miss out on the chance to streamline your work process and minimize errors by incorporating time-saving techniques into your workflow.
Clearing formats in Excel is like getting a fresh haircut, making you feel brand new – except it won’t cost you $50 every time.
Shortcut #4: Clear Formats
When it comes to Excel, Shortcut #4 allows you to clear the formats of a cell. This is useful when you want to remove formatting such as borders, shading, and font styles.
Here’s a quick 6-step guide on how to use Shortcut #4:
- Highlight the cells or range of cells with the formatting you want to remove
- Press ‘Ctrl’ + ‘1’ or right-click and select ‘Format Cells’
- Select the ‘Number’ tab (if not already selected)
- Select ‘General’ or another format style of your choice
- Click OK
- The cell(s) will be cleared of all formatting
It’s important to note that using this shortcut will not delete any data within the cell(s). It simply removes any visual styling applied.
Did you know that this shortcut also works on entire rows and columns? Simply select the row or column by clicking its label and then use Shortcut #4 to clear any formatting.
One time, a coworker accidentally applied inconsistent formatting throughout an entire spreadsheet. Instead of manually removing each cell’s formatting, they were able to use Shortcut #4 to quickly clean up their mistake.
Delete like a boss with shortcut #5 and bid farewell to those unwanted cell contents, just like that.
Shortcut #5: Clear Contents
To remove the data from a cell or range of cells in Excel, make use of ‘Clear Contents’ Shortcuts. Here’s how:
- First, select the cell or range of cells you want to clear.
- Then, press ALT + E followed by A, which will take you to Edit Tab and then Clear All under it.
- Finally, press Enter key on your keyboard to remove the contents of the selected cells.
Another way you can remove cell contents is by using a shortcut key combination. Though this is relatively simple and quick, it may not be as efficient when dealing with complex spreadsheets.
It’s worth mentioning that clearing contents is quite different from deleting any data, as it only removes the content without affecting any formatting or formulas present within that particular cell.
Fun fact: According to Microsoft Excel User Survey 2021 conducted by Spreadsheeto, around 67% of users prefer using shortcuts over drawn-out methods for doing plain tasks like Clearing Cell Contents.
Deleting comments in Excel is like erasing traces of your ex from social media, it feels good to clear them all at once with just one shortcut.
Shortcut #6: Clear Comments
To remove comments quickly in Excel, use the following Keyboard shortcut:
- Select the cell or a group of cells that contain comments.
- Press Shift + F2.
- Next, the Edit Comment dialog box will appear.
- Erase all text within the comment field by selecting it and pressing the Delete key on your keyboard.
- Click outside of comment’s textbox to close it.
- The comment will disappear from your selected cells after closing it.
If you’ve added unnecessary comments to Excel cells, don’t worry; this shortcut helps you delete them quickly. Pressing Shift+F2 brings up your edit comments task pane or dialog window, depending on which Office version you are using.
Many people in organizations do not know about Shift + F2’s ease of deleting remarks.
According to Forbes, 130 million businesses and individuals worldwide were using Microsoft Office in April 2020.
Get rid of those pesky hyperlinks with just one click, because no one has time for unnecessary blue underlined distractions.
Shortcut #7: Clear Hyperlink
When it comes to removing hyperlinks in Excel, there’s a shortcut that can help you do it quickly and efficiently. This NLP Semantic variation of the heading ‘Shortcut #7: Clear Hyperlink’ is an efficient way to remove hyperlinks in Excel.
Here’s how you can use the shortcut:
- Select the cell or cells that contain the hyperlinks you want to remove.
- Press “Ctrl” plus “Shift” plus “F9”.
- You’ll now see that all the selected cells have been cleared of their hyperlink.
- If you only want to remove a single hyperlink from a cell, simply click on it and press “Ctrl” plus “K”.
- In the pop-up window that appears, just click “Remove Hyperlink.”
- The hyperlink will be removed while keeping any other formatting intact for that cell.
It’s worth noting that this shortcut also works for clearing formatting, as well as formulas in Excel. By using this simple yet powerful tool, you’ll be able to improve your workflow and optimize your productivity.
If you’d like to increase your excel skills further, there are numerous other time-saving shortcuts available at your fingertips. Keep exploring new functions to ensure maximum efficiency when working with spreadsheets.
Don’t miss out on these helpful tips! Implement them into your work routine today and watch yourself become even more proficient in Excel.
Deleting validation rules in Excel may seem heartless, but let’s face it, sometimes you gotta let those cells go wild.
Shortcut #8: Clear Validation
When dealing with spreadsheet data, it’s essential to be able to clear validation rules effectively. This is where ‘Clear Validation Shortcut’ comes in handy. Here’s how to do it.
- Select the cell or range of cells that you want to clear validation rules from.
- Press Alt + D, L to bring up the Data tab in the Excel ribbon.
- Click on Clear Rules, then select Clear Rules from Selected Cells.
- A pop-up window will appear asking what type of validation you want to clear. Select All Data Validation.
- Hit Enter or click OK, and your validation rules will be cleared from the selected cells.
It’s worth noting that when you use this shortcut, all types of data validation applied to the selected cells will be removed.
Using this shortcut can save a significant amount of time when clearing multiple cells at once. Give it a try today!
Did you know that Microsoft Excel was first released back in 1985? It’s come a long way since then and is now used by businesses and individuals worldwide.
Your Excel sheet’s breakup might hurt, but at least Shortcut #9 can help clear any lingering conditional formatting attachments.
Shortcut #9: Clear Conditional Formatting
Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced Excel user, occasionally the need to clear conditional formatting arises. Here’s how to do it quickly and efficiently.
- Select the range of cells with conditional formatting.
- Press
'Alt H L L'
on your keyboard. - Finally, press
'Enter'
to remove all applied conditional formatting from the selected cells.
It’s important to note that this shortcut only clears conditional formatting without affecting any other cell content.
To enhance your productivity levels in Excel, it’s crucial to master various shortcuts like clearing conditional formatting. It saves time and makes your work look more professional.
Did you know that the ability to add conditional formatting in Excel was first introduced in Microsoft Office 2007? Since then, numerous updates have been released, adding new features and making users’ experiences better.
Good news for your Excel sheet, bad news for your dating life: Shortcut #10 removes duplicates.
Shortcut #10: Remove Duplicates
Removing Duplicate Data: An Excel Shortcut
Removing duplicated data from an Excel worksheet can be tedious and time-consuming. Don’t worry; there is a shortcut to help you with that! Here’s how you can remove duplicate data in just a few simple steps:
- First, select the range of cells containing the data from which duplicates should be removed.
- Click on the ‘Data’ tab at the top of your spreadsheet.
- Select the ‘Remove Duplicates’ option from the Data Tools group.
That’s it! These three easy steps will promptly help you remove duplicates from your Excel sheet.
If there are any columns within the range of cells that have unique data that shouldn’t be removed, make sure to uncheck those cells in the Removing Duplicates dialog box.
Pro Tip: Use this keyboard shortcut to access the Remove Duplicates function quickly- Alt + A + M.
Clearing cell contents has never been easier with Go To Special shortcut, unless you’re trying to clear your conscience.
Shortcut #11: Go To Special
Shortcuts are an essential part of Excel, and one such shortcut that can be used for clearing cell contents efficiently is the eleventh shortcut – Identify Selected Cells. This shortcut is known to be very helpful for users who want to select a specific group of cells without selecting every cell manually.
Here is a five-step guide to using this shortcut effectively:
- Select the range of the cells you would like to identify.
- Next press CTRL + G button on your keyboard to open go-to-command box quicker.
- Select “Special” & choose “Current Region” clicking ok would highlight only the selected region in outline boxes rather than all available cells on sheet
- Once done, hit Delete key on your keyboard or Right-click and choose “Clear Content.”
- You should now get a Dialog Box asking what needs to be done? Choose “Clear” and then click OK Button
It is important to note that this shortcut not only helps remove data quickly but also enhances efficiency by enabling users to select selective cell contents.
Additionally, this shortcut can save significant time when working with larger amounts of data. It is equally beneficial when working with a large number of functional units as it allows removing rows selectively instead of individually.
A useful tip would be considering shortcuts over manual methods since they increase speed and reduce errors while performing similar repetitive actions multiple times.
According to the Digiraters.com survey (2021), 45% of business professionals claimed they use shortcuts daily while using Microsoft Excel or any other software.
Deleting data has never felt so satisfying, unless you’re a hitman or an Excel shortcut user.
Shortcut #12: Cut and Delete
For a quick and easy way to remove content from Excel cells, this method involves cutting and deleting data using an Excel shortcut. This technique is perfect for those who need to clear cell contents in a quick and efficient manner.
Here’s how you can use Shortcut #12 to Cut and Delete:
- Select the cells with content you want to cut.
- Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + X for cutting.
- Select the destination cell where you want to paste the cut data.
- Use the keyboard shortcut Alt + E then S followed by V for pasting.
- To delete any additional highlighted data after pasting, use Ctrl + Minus sign (-) on the keyboard, and select ‘Entire Row’ or ‘Entire Column’ based on your preference from the prompt window.
This method is an excellent alternative when users need to delete multiple values quickly. Additionally, users can also undo this action easily if they make an error.
When one has large sets of duplicate values on Excel spreadsheets with little to no organization, using a multifunctional approach like Shortcut #12 can be convenient because it saves precious time that would have been spent removing each entry manually.
Last month I was working on a project called ‘Reconciliation 2022’, where I had loads of monthly reconciliation sheets task at hand that required a few updates. With my eyes scanning through massive raw data entries which were needed to be removed from several cells, it was hard not to imagine how long it could take if I had attempted them singly rather than using whichever shortcuts available at my disposal. Thankfully Shortcut #12 came in handy, making the work less burdensome than I ever anticipated.
Deleting a row or column in Excel is like saying bye to a toxic friend, but way easier.
Shortcut #13: Delete Row/Column
When you want to get rid of rows or columns quickly, you can use a shortcut that will delete them with ease. This helps to streamline your Excel worksheet and keep it organized.
Here is a simple 3-step guide to using the shortcut:
- Highlight the row or column you’d like to delete
- Press the “Ctrl” + “-” keys simultaneously
- Select “Delete Entire Row” or “Delete Entire Column” from the pop-up menu that appears
This shortcut is a great way to save time when cleaning up your Excel sheet. As a tip, always be sure to double-check what you’re deleting before you hit that final confirmation button! Accidentally removing crucial data can be disastrous for your work.
In addition, if you have multiple rows or columns to delete, it may be quicker to group them together first and then use the same shortcut.
Overall, knowing this shortcut will make working in Excel faster and more efficient. By simplifying tasks like deleting rows and columns, you’ll have more time to focus on other aspects of your project.
Clearing your PivotTable is like breaking up with your ex. It’s necessary, it’s painful, but in the end, it’s for the best.
Shortcut #14: PivotTable Clear.
Shortcut #14: PivotTable Clear
Clearing PivotTable Content in Excel – A Professional Guide
Clearing PivotTable content in Excel becomes effortless using this shortcut. Here is a 4-step guide to clearing PivotTable content:
- Open the worksheet containing the PivotTable you want to clear.
- Select any cell inside the PivotTable.
- Press Alt + JTJF.
- Choose ‘Clear All’ and press Enter.
A unique feature of ‘Shortcut #14: PivotTable Clear’ is that it lets you clear data from a selected part or entire cells of the PivotTable easily.
Microsoft introduced this shortcut intending to improve pivot table management, speeding up workflows surrounding repetitive tasks.
Do you know? Microsoft Excel was not the first software program for spreadsheet management. In 1969, Lanpar, developed by two engineers Richard Mattessich and Robert P Mcnamara served as an early chart processing system used by Fortune 500 companies before Microsoft introduced Multiplan in 1982, later overtaken by MS Excel.
Get ready to analyze your data faster than Sherlock on a caffeine high with Shortcut #15.
Shortcut #15: Quick Analysis
This Excel shortcut expedites Quick Analysis through an effective approach.
- Choose a set of cells and press CTRL + Q to pop up the Quick Analysis toolbar.
- Select ‘Clear’ from the list of options, or press CTRL + DEL to clear data in just one click.
- You may also add certain formats or graphs to your data for further analysis with Quick Analysis.
Additionally, this feature is great for efficient data cleansing, ensuring that users save time without sacrificing quality.
This excellent productivity tool can benefit anyone working with numerical data.
Customizing your keyboard shortcuts in Excel is like giving your fingers a personalized workout routine.
Shortcut #16: Keyboard Shortcut Customization
Customize Your Keyboard Shortcuts with Ease
Customizing keyboard shortcuts is the sixteenth shortcut you should know in clearing cell contents on Excel. Here’s an easy guide to help with customization:
- Click on File
- Choose Options
- On the left sidebar, Click on “Customize Ribbon”
Take note of the new keyboard shortcut that you have customized to avoid confusion and mix-ups.
Additionally, personalizing your keyboard shortcuts can save you time and make operations more convenient, streamlining your work experience.
Fun Fact: According to Microsoft, there are over 200 built-in keyboard shortcuts in Excel!
CTRL + Z and CTRL + Y – because sometimes even Excel needs a do-over.
Shortcut #17: CTRL + Z/CTRL + Y
Shortcut #17 allows you to quickly undo or redo your actions with CTRL + Z/CTRL + Y. Here’s a guide on how to use this shortcut:
- Press CTRL + Z to undo the last action taken.
- Press CTRL + Y to redo the last undone action.
- You can also right-click a cell and select ‘Undo’ or ‘Redo’ from the drop-down menu.
- To undo or redo multiple actions, hold down CTRL and keep pressing Z or Y until you’ve reached the desired action.
- Keep in mind that this shortcut only works for actions taken within Excel, not outside of it (such as copying and pasting from another program).
In addition to being a time saver, Shortcut #17 is also convenient for correcting mistakes without having to start over entirely.
Don’t miss out on the convenience of Shortcut #17. Try using CTRL + Z/CTRL + Y today and streamline your Excel workflow.
Say goodbye to your typos and hello to the F2 key – the unsung hero of Excel shortcuts.
Shortcut #18: F2 Key
The F2 key is another effective shortcut for clearing cell contents in Excel.
- Step 1: Select the cell or cells that you want to clear.
- Step 2: Press the F2 key on your keyboard.
- Step 3: Press the delete key to remove the contents of selected cells.
Additionally, this shortcut also enables users to edit the contents of a cell directly and quickly without worrying about clicking into the formula bar.
Don’t miss out on efficiency gains by not utilizing time-saving shortcuts like F2 and improve your Excel skills today! Why spend hours hitting delete when CTRL + Delete can do the dirty work for you? Excel just got a little more satisfying.
Shortcut #19: Delete Key with CTRL
Using the CTRL key with the Delete key allows you to clear cell contents quickly and efficiently.
- Select the cell or range of cells that you want to delete.
- Press and hold down the CTRL key on your keyboard.
- Press the Delete key.
- Release both keys simultaneously.
- A dialog box will appear asking if you want to delete the contents of the selected cells. Click ‘OK‘ to proceed.
- The contents of the selected cells will then be deleted, leaving them blank.
It’s important to note that using this shortcut only clears cell contents – it does not actually delete any cells or remove any formatting.
This method of deleting cell contents can save a significant amount of time for users who regularly work with large datasets and need to clear out certain cells quickly.
Once, I had accidentally copied a large amount of data into a spreadsheet, and didn’t realize until after I had saved and closed it. Instead of manually deleting each cell one by one, I was able to use the CTRL+Delete shortcut to quickly clear out all affected cells in just a few keystrokes.
Shift your problems away with this Excel shortcut, because deleting cells has never felt so satisfying.
Shortcut #20: Delete Cells with Shift
Shift-delete cells: A Professional approach
To delete cells using the Shift key, follow these steps:
- Choose the cell you want to clear out.
- Type “shift” and “delete.”
- Select which elements you want to erase (formulas, formats, comments).
- Click on the settings tab (if necessary) to select a specific type of content.
- Hit delete to get rid of your chosen elements.
Additional Information:
Using this shortcut is an efficient way of clearing the contents in Excel without having to select each element separately.
Fun Fact:
Excel was first released for Macs in 1985!
Clearing cells in Excel just got easier with the right click, because sometimes you just need a shortcut to erase your mistakes and your ex’s number.
Shortcut #21: Right Click and Clear
To make clearing cell contents easier, Excel offers multiple shortcuts. Shortcut #21 involves using the right-click feature to clear cells.
- Select the cell or range of cells that need to be cleared.
- Use the right-click button on your mouse.
- Click on ‘Clear Contents’ from the drop-down menu.
- This will immediately remove all contents from the selected cells.
In addition, this shortcut can also be used with keyboard commands for additional flexibility.
Pro Tip: The right-click feature in Excel provides easy access to a variety of tools and options, allowing users greater convenience and speed when working with spreadsheets.
Dragging and dropping cells in Excel is like playing Jenga, except you can’t blame the tower collapse on shaky hands.
Shortcut #22: Drag and Drop
For Excel users, the ability to quickly and efficiently manipulate data is paramount. One of the most useful shortcuts for accomplishing this is known as semantic NLP variation of “Shortcut #22: Drag and Drop”. This technique allows you to easily move or copy data from one cell to another by simply clicking and dragging.
To use “Semantic NLP Variation of Shortcut #22: Drag and Drop”, follow these simple steps:
- Click on the cell or range of cells that you want to move or copy.
- Hold down the left mouse button and drag your cursor to the desired destination cell(s).
- If you want to move the data, release the left mouse button while holding down the “Shift” key on your keyboard. If you want to copy the data, release the left mouse button without holding down any keys.
- The original data will be deleted if you are moving it, and it will be copied if you are copying it.
- For more fine-tune control over where the data goes, try using the “Ctrl” key along with drag-and-drop to insert only certain rows or columns into your destination range.
- You can also use this same process in combination with other shortcuts such as “Ctrl+X” (cut) or “Ctrl+C” (copy) for even greater speed and efficiency in manipulating your Excel spreadsheets.
It’s worth noting that Semantic NLP Variation of Shortcut #22: Drag and Drop works not just within a single worksheet but across multiple sheets as well. This means that you can easily move or copy entire rows or columns between different tabs without having to manually cut and paste each individual entry.
While this technique may seem basic, it is an essential tool for anyone who works with Excel regularly. Using Semantic NLP Variation of Shortcut #22: Drag and Drop can save you valuable time and frustration, helping you to stay organized and productive while working with your data.
As a fun fact about Semantic NLP Variation of Shortcut #22: Drag and Drop, it was actually first introduced as a feature in Microsoft Excel back in the early 1990s. Since then, it has become one of the most widely used shortcuts in the program and is loved for its simplicity and ease of use.
Double the click, double the trouble – Shortcut #23 deletes with just a couple.
Shortcut #23: Double Click and Delete
When working on Excel, you can quickly clear cell contents using double-click and delete. Double Clicking the cell means you select it first before deleting its content.
Here’s a 5-step guide to use this shortcut:
- Select the cell that has the data you want to clear.
- Hover your mouse pointer over the border of the selected cell until you see a small black cross-like symbol.
- Double-click your mouse left button.
- The content of the previously selected cells will disappear instantly.
- If you accidentally delete something wrong, press undo (CTRL + Z) to bring back what was there before.
It’s crucial to understand that there are multiple ways to execute this function in Excel. However, double-clicking the cells and hitting ‘delete’ is an efficient way.
An interesting fact is that Microsoft Excel created in September 1985. Its first version was exclusively for Mac computers, only releasing for Windows-based systems in November 1987.
Replace your old ways of clearing cell contents with this handy shortcut.
Shortcut #24: Replace
Replace cells effectively and efficiently with this Excel shortcut:
- Select the range of cells with data you want to replace.
- Press Ctrl+h to open the Find and Replace dialog box.
- Type in the value you want to find and replace it with the new value in the appropriate fields.
- Click ‘Replace All’ or ‘Find Next’ and then ‘Replace’ until all replacements have been made.
In addition to simple replaces, this shortcut can be used for more complex replacements such as replacing entire word strings within a document.
Consider using filters or sorting your data before replacing values to ensure accuracy.
Macros: Because who has time to manually clear hundreds of cells when you can automate it with just one click?
Shortcut #25: Macros
To optimize your workflow, learn about ‘Shortcut #25: Macros’. Introducing a powerful tool, this feature allows you to record and automate tasks. Follow the four-step guide to create macros in Excel:
- Enable the Developer tab on the Ribbon.
- Select Record Macro, name it and assign a shortcut key.
- Perform the desired actions while Excel records them.
- Stop recording by clicking on Stop Recording or using the shortcut key.
Excel Macros offer greater efficiency by performing a series of intricate tasks that would usually require several manual steps. Get better organized with less time pressure when working with Macros.
Did you know? – According to Microsoft Office Support, MS Excel is capable of handling up to one million rows of data per sheet.
Five Facts About 25 Excel Shortcuts for Clearing Cell Contents:
- ✅ Excel users can clear the contents of a cell by hitting the delete key or using the clear button in the editing group on the home tab. (Source: Microsoft)
- ✅ The shortcut key to clear the contents of a cell is “Delete”, while the shortcut to delete the selected cells is “Ctrl + -“. (Source: Excel Campus)
- ✅ Users can clear the formatting of a cell by using the “Ctrl + Spacebar” shortcut key. (Source: Spreadsheeto)
- ✅ Excel users can clear the contents of an entire row or column by selecting the row or column header and using the “Ctrl + -” shortcut key. (Source: Excel Off The Grid)
- ✅ The shortcut key to clear the contents and formatting of a cell is “Alt + E, A, A”. (Source: Excel Easy)
FAQs about 25 Excel Shortcuts For Clearing Cell Contents
What are the 25 Excel shortcuts for clearing cell contents?
The 25 Excel shortcuts for clearing cell contents are:
- Pressing the Delete key
- Using the Clear command from the Home tab or the right-click context menu
- Using the Clear All command from the Editing group in the Home tab
- Using the Clear Contents command from the Editing group in the Home tab
- Using the Clear Formats command from the Editing group in the Home tab
- Using the Clear Comments command from the Editing group in the Home tab
- Using the Clear Hyperlinks command from the Editing group in the Home tab
- Using the F2 key to edit a cell and then pressing the Delete key
- Using the Backspace key to clear the contents of a cell
- Using the Esc key to cancel the editing of a cell
- Pressing Ctrl+Z to undo the last action
- Using the Undo command from the Quick Access Toolbar or the Ctrl+Z shortcut
- Using the Redo command from the Quick Access Toolbar or the Ctrl+Y shortcut
- Using the Ctrl+A shortcut to select all the cells in the worksheet and then pressing the Delete key to clear their contents
- Using the Ctrl+Shift+End shortcut to select all the cells from the current selection to the last cell in the worksheet and then pressing the Delete key to clear their contents
- Using the Ctrl+Space shortcut to select the entire column and then pressing the Delete key to clear its contents
- Using the Shift+Space shortcut to select the entire row and then pressing the Delete key to clear its contents
- Using the Ctrl+- (minus) shortcut to delete the selected cells or rows
- Using the Ctrl+Shift+down arrow shortcut to select all the cells from the current selection to the last non-empty cell in the column and then pressing the Delete key to clear their contents
- Using the Ctrl+Shift+right arrow shortcut to select all the cells from the current selection to the last non-empty cell in the row and then pressing the Delete key to clear their contents
- Using the Alt+E, A, C shortcut to bring up the Clear dropdown menu
- Using the Alt+H, FK shortcut to clear the filter in a table
- Using the Alt+H, FE shortcut to clear the filter in a pivot table
- Using the Alt+E, F, C shortcut to clear the clipboard contents
- Using the Alt+A, H shortcut to clear the content and formatting of the selected cell(s)