What Is the Shortcut to Delete a Row in Google Sheets?

If you’re using Google Sheets a lot, shortcuts can be real time-savers. For some actions, you can use the standard shortcuts you also use on other apps (copy, paste, etc.). However, when it comes to deleting rows and columns, there are various shortcuts, depending on the operating system you use.

In this article, we’ll explain all the options you have.

Delete Row Shortcut

Shortcuts are not only different across various operating systems, but they’re also different on individual browsers. Yes, that’s right. It means you can use two different shortcuts on the same device if you have more browsers.

1. If you’re using Chrome on your Windows or Linux operating system, here’s the shortcut you can use: Press Alt and E at the same time, and then press D.
   
2. If you’re using any other browser on your Windows or Linux operating system, the shortcut is a bit more complicated: Press Alt, Shift, and E at the same time, and then press D.
   
3. Finally, if you have Mac, there’s only one shortcut for you: Press Ctrl, Option, and E at the same time, and then press D.
   

There you have it! Don’t worry if they seem too complicated. After using them a few times, you’ll remember them.

Delete Row – The Traditional Way

Shortcuts are great, but what if you can’t remember them? If you don’t have time for searching Google Sheets shortcuts online, here’s how you can delete a row using your mouse:

1. Highlight a cell in the row you want to remove.
   
   
2. Right-click on it to open the menu.
   
   
3. Click on Delete Row.
   
   

That’s it! It’s funny that the traditional way can sometimes be faster than the shortcut. The best thing is that you can use the same method for deleting a column or inserting a new row or column. When you right-click the highlighted cell, you’ll see all these options, and you just have to select the one you need.

Can I Delete More Rows at the Same Time?

Yes, of course. Thankfully, if you want to delete more rows, you won’t have to delete them one by one. There’s a much faster way to do so:

1. Highlight one cell from each row you want to remove.
   
2. Right-click to open the menu.
   
3. If you’ve selected, for example, the first and the second row, you’ll see Delete rows 1-2.
   
4. Select that option.
   

There you have it! The best thing is that you can’t go wrong with this method, as you can always check whether you’ve selected the right rows in the final step.

Insert Row Shortcut

Since you’re here, you may also want to learn about the shortcut for inserting a new row. Again, everything depends on your operating system and your browser.

1. If you’re using Chrome on your Windows or Linux operating system, you can press Alt + I and then R to insert rows above. If you want to insert rows below, press Alt + I and then W.
   
2. If you’re using any other browser on your Windows or Linux operating system, you can press Alt + Shift + I and then R to insert rows above. If you want to insert rows below, press Alt + Shift + I, and then W.
   
3. If you’re using Mac, press Ctrl + Option + I, and then R to insert rows above. If you want to insert rows below, press Ctrl + Option + I, and then W.
   
   

Is There a Shortcut to Remove Columns?

Just like we have a shortcut to remove rows, there’s also a shortcut to remove columns. Again, everything depends on your operating system and your browser. Here are the three shortcuts, so you can use one that applies to your browser:

1. If you’re using Chrome on your Windows or Linux operating system, here’s the shortcut you can use: Press Alt and E at the same time, and then press E.
   
2. If you’re using any other browser on your Windows or Linux operating system, the shortcut is a bit more complicated: Press Alt, Shift, and E at the same time, and then press E.
   
3. Finally, if you have Mac, there’s only one shortcut for you: Press Ctrl, Option, and E at the same time, and then press E.
   
   

As you can see, they’re very similar to shortcuts for removing rows. The only thing that makes them different is the final key you have to press.

Do You Like Shortcuts?

There are two kinds of people: those who can’t imagine their life without keyboard shortcuts, and others who don’t feel comfortable using them. Both options are fine, but even if you don’t like shortcuts, you should try using them and see whether it helps you work faster. Of course, if it turns out that they don’t help you, you can stop using them.

Do you like keyboard shortcuts? How often do you use them? Let us know in the comments section below.