How To Delete Empty Rows In Excel: A Step-By-Step Guide

by Jacky Chou
Updated on

Key Takeaway:

  • Finding and selecting empty rows is the first step towards deleting them. Excel has several methods like Find and Replace and filtering functionality that make this process easier and quicker.
  • Deleting empty rows entirely is a quick process that can be done with a few clicks. The quick method using Find and Replace and using the filtering functionality are fast and efficient ways to delete empty rows.
  • To delete empty rows while preserving data, the Go To Feature or VBA macro code can be used. These methods offer greater control and flexibility in deleting empty rows without losing vital data.

Are you dealing with lengthy Excel spreadsheets and trying to clean up extra empty rows? You’re in luck! This comprehensive guide will provide you with the steps needed to quickly and easily delete empty rows in Excel.

Finding and Selecting Empty Rows

To identify and highlight empty rows in Excel, you need to use the ‘Locate Empty Rows’ feature. This process will help you remove redundant rows from your Excel sheet, making it more organized. Here is a five-step guide to help you find and select empty rows:

  1. Open your Excel document and select the entire sheet.
  2. Go to the ‘Home’ tab and click on the ‘Find & Select’ dropdown menu.
  3. Select ‘Go To Special’ from the dropdown list and choose the ‘Blanks’ option.
  4. Click ‘OK’ and all the blank rows in your sheet will be highlighted.
  5. To delete these rows, right-click on any highlighted row and select ‘Delete.’

It is important to note that deleting rows can sometimes lead to unintentional data loss. Therefore, it is recommended to create a backup of your Excel file before making any changes.

A helpful tip to save time is to use shortcuts. Instead of going to the ‘Find & Select’ dropdown menu, you can use the keyboard shortcut ‘Ctrl+G’ to bring up the ‘Go To’ dialog box. From there, you can follow the same steps as outlined above.

A true fact from the source: According to Exceljet, you can also use the ‘Filter’ feature to find empty rows quickly. By using the Filter option, you can sort the data in your Excel sheet, making it easier to work with.

Delete Entire Empty Rows

Want to delete lots of empty rows quickly in Excel? Follow these easy steps! Try the Quick Method with Find and Replace or Filter. These solutions enable you to delete multiple rows without selecting them manually.

Quick Method using Find and Replace

Text: Using the Find and Replace method is a quick and efficient way to delete all empty rows in Excel. Here’s how you can do it.

  1. In the Excel sheet, press the Ctrl + F keys to bring up the Find and Replace dialog box.
  2. Click on the “Replace” tab.
  3. In the “Find what” field, leave it blank.
  4. In the “Replace with” field, leave it blank as well.
  5. Click on “Options”.
  6. From the list of options provided, select “Entire cell contents” and then click on “Replace All”.

This will remove all empty rows from your Excel sheet.

It’s worth noting that this method deletes only empty rows that contain no data at all. If you have a row with some data in one or more columns but not in others, this method will not work.

To avoid losing any important data while deleting empty rows, always make sure you create a backup copy of your spreadsheet before attempting any such operation.

In addition to using Find and Replace, other methods to delete empty rows include filtering for blanks, sorting by column (with columns containing blanks at the bottom), or writing a VBA code for automating repetitive tasks.

Filtering out the junk from your Excel sheets has never been easier – it’s like hiring a virtual Marie Kondo for your data.

Using Filter Functionality

Filtering in Excel can efficiently help in removing empty rows from the spreadsheet. By specifically selecting an empty cell or row, one can filter out the other ones that are unnecessary or redundant.

To use Filter Functionality:

  1. Click on any cell within the data range.
  2. Select the ‘Filter’ command from the ‘Data’ tab.
  3. An arrow will appear beside each column header.
  4. Click the required arrow and uncheck ‘Select All’
  5. Checkmark ‘Blanks’ only, and click OK
  6. Select all visible cells (Ctrl+Shift+*).

In this way, you can efficiently delete any blank rows in your spreadsheet.

When dealing with enormous datasets, Filtering to remove extra blanks instead of eliminating them manually can be more efficient. This method saves time as well as ensures no overlooked empty space that may cause errors.

If you have a lot of data to work on and want to achieve a robust Excel user level, filtering is crucial knowledge. It helps you tidy up your spreadsheets easily and quickly without any discrepancies.

Make sure to apply Filtering functionality while working with your datasets to avoid missing out on essential information hiding behind some unnoticed cells or figures.

Say goodbye to empty rows without saying goodbye to your important data – the ultimate spreadsheet breakup.

Deleting Empty Rows while Preserving Data

Delete empty rows while preserving data in Excel! Utilize the Go To feature or VBA Macro Code. Save time and organize your data quickly. Follow these simple sub-sections to learn how.

Using Go To Feature

To locate empty rows in Excel and delete them without losing data, you can make use of a feature called ‘Navigating with Go To.’ Using this feature helps to save time when dealing with complicated worksheets.

Follow these four steps to use this feature:

  1. Open the worksheet and press the Ctrl + A keys simultaneously.
  2. Select ‘Go To Special’ by pressing Ctrl + G.
  3. Select ‘Blanks’ then tap OK. This will highlight the blank rows.
  4. To delete highlighted blanks, right-click on a highlighted row and choose Delete. Alternatively, click on Home > Delete > Delete sheet rows.

Note, having empty cells within content-containing rows doesn’t necessarily imply that they should be deleted. Such cells could be useful for future entries. Once you have removed all the necessary blank rows, you can now safely proceed with editing the worksheet.

It’s worth noting that before deleting any row in Excel, it’s advisable to create a backup copy of your Excel workbook or just remember to hit CTRL + z just in case you accidentally delete important information.

Jason, an accountant by profession shared his unfortunate experience of deleting significant financial records because he skipped creating a backup copy before carrying out mass deletion of empty rows in his worksheet using Go To Feature in Excel.

Time to get your VBA on and automate that empty row deletion like a boss.

Using VBA Macro Code

The process of using VBA code to delete empty rows in Excel can be expedited for efficiency.

Follow these six easy steps to use VBA Macro Code:

  1. Open the Excel Worksheet
  2. Select ‘View’ on the top ribbon and then open ‘Macros’
  3. Type a name for your macro. For instance, if you are deleting blank rows, name it ‘Delete_Blank_Rows’
  4. Click on ‘Create’ and paste the following code: Range("A:A").SpecialCells(xlCellTypeBlanks).EntireRow.Delete
  5. Press ‘F5’ to run the macro or click on ‘Run’
  6. Save the worksheet with .xlsm extension with enabled Macros

It is worth noting that this method looks for empty cells in column A. If empty cells are present in another column, modify code accordingly.

Pro Tip: Assign a shortcut key combination to the macro created for better accessibility, this way you can always activate it without having to navigate through ribbons.

Five Facts About How to Delete Empty Rows in Excel: A Step-by-Step Guide:

  • ✅ Empty rows in Excel can be deleted by selecting the row and pressing “Delete” on your keyboard. (Source: Microsoft Office Support)
  • ✅ Another way to delete empty rows in Excel is by using the “Go To Special” feature and selecting “Blanks.” (Source: Excel Easy)
  • ✅ The “Filter” feature in Excel can also be used to identify and delete empty rows. (Source: Lifewire)
  • ✅ Deleting empty rows in Excel can improve the clarity and organization of your data. (Source: BetterCloud)
  • ✅ It is important to double-check your data after deleting empty rows to ensure accuracy and avoid unintentional data loss. (Source: Techwalla)

FAQs about How To Delete Empty Rows In Excel: A Step-By-Step Guide

What are empty rows in Excel?

Empty rows in Excel are the rows that do not contain any data or information. These rows may have been created accidentally or as a result of deleting cells or data from the worksheet but not the entire row.

Why should I delete empty rows in Excel?

Deleting empty rows in Excel can help declutter your worksheet and make it easier to navigate. Additionally, it can reduce the file size of your Excel document, which can make it load and respond faster.

How can I identify empty rows in Excel?

To identify empty rows in Excel, you can use the Go To Special feature. Select any cell in the column where you suspect empty rows exist, press CTRL+G, and then select the Blanks option. This will highlight all empty rows in the worksheet.

What is the easiest way to delete empty rows in Excel?

The easiest way to delete empty rows in Excel is to use the Filter feature. Select any cell in the column where empty rows exist, enable the Filter option, deselect all checkboxes except for the “Blanks” checkbox, and then select the visible rows and delete them.

What is the manual process to delete empty rows in Excel?

The manual process to delete empty rows in Excel involves selecting the empty row, right-clicking and then choosing the delete option. This process can be time-consuming if there are many empty rows in the document.

Is there a way to automate the process of deleting empty rows in Excel?

Yes, there are several ways to automate the process of deleting empty rows in Excel. You can use VBA macros, advanced filters, or specialized add-ins to quickly and easily remove all empty rows from your worksheet.

Auther name

Jacky Chou is an electrical engineer turned marketer. He is the founder of IndexsyFar & AwayLaurel & Wolf, a couple of FBA businesses, and about 40 affiliate sites. He is a proud native of Vancouver, BC, who has been featured on Entrepreneur.comForbesOberlo, and GoDaddy.