You can delete rows, columns, or the entire table without losing the document around it

Google Docs lets you remove specific rows or columns from a table while keeping the rest of the table intact, or delete the whole table at once. The method depends on what you want to keep. If you delete a row or column by mistake, you can undo it when ready with Ctrl+Z (or Cmd+Z on Mac).

The steps are straightforward and work the same way whether you're on a computer or using the Google Docs mobile app, though the mobile version uses slightly different menu names.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click on any cell in the row or column you want to remove, then select "Delete row" or "Delete column" from the menu.
  • To delete an entire table, click anywhere inside it, then use the three-dot menu at the top right of the table and select "Delete table".
  • Deleting a row or column removes all the data in it permanently, so make sure you don't need that information before you confirm.
  • You can undo any deletion when ready by pressing Ctrl+Z (or Cmd+Z on Mac) if you change your mind.
  • On mobile, tap the three-dot menu inside the table instead of right-clicking to access delete options.

How to delete a single row from a table

Click on any cell in the row you want to remove. You don't have to select the entire row — one cell is enough. Right-click on that cell (or on a Mac, Control+click). A menu will appear with several options.

Look for "Delete row" in the menu and click it. The row disappears when ready, and all the rows below it move up to fill the space. The rest of your table stays exactly as it was.

How to delete a single column from a table

Click on any cell in the column you want to remove. Right-click on that cell (Control+click on Mac). The same menu appears as when you delete a row.

Select "Delete column" from the menu. The column disappears, and the columns to the right shift left to close the gap. All your data in other columns remains unchanged.

How to delete an entire table

Click anywhere inside the table you want to remove. Look for a small three-dot menu icon that appears near the top right corner of the table — it's usually gray and straightforward to miss. Click on it.

A dropdown menu will show several options. Select "Delete table". The entire table disappears, but any text or other content you had before or after the table stays in your document.

What happens to your data when you delete

When you delete a row, column, or table, that data is gone from your document. Google Docs does not keep a separate copy of deleted table content. However, you can undo the deletion when ready by pressing Ctrl+Z (Cmd+Z on Mac) as long as you haven't made other changes to the document yet.

If you've made several edits after deleting the row or column, you may need to press Ctrl+Z multiple times to get back to the moment before the deletion. Each press of Ctrl+Z undoes one action in reverse order.

Deleting part of a table on mobile

On the Google Docs mobile app (iPhone, iPad, or Android), tap anywhere inside the table. A three-dot menu icon will appear at the top of the screen. Tap it to see your options.

You'll see "Delete row", "Delete column", or "Delete table" depending on what you want to remove. Tap the option you need. The deletion happens when ready, and you can undo it by tapping the undo arrow at the top left of the screen.

Why you might want to delete part of a table instead of the whole thing

Keeping a table but removing specific rows or columns is useful when you've added extra rows for planning or notes that you no longer need, or when you realize a column doesn't belong in your final document. Deleting just the parts you don't need saves you from rebuilding the table from scratch.

If your table has formatting (colors, borders, or merged cells), deleting rows or columns preserves that formatting in the remaining table. Only the deleted content is removed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I undo a table deletion if I've closed the document?

No. Once you close the document, you cannot undo deletions. If you realize you deleted something important after closing, you may be able to recover an earlier version of the document through Google Drive's version history, but this depends on whether Google Docs saved a version before the deletion.

What if I delete a row by mistake and then make other edits?

You can still undo the deletion by pressing Ctrl+Z (Cmd+Z on Mac) repeatedly to go back through your recent actions. Each press undoes one action in reverse order. Stop when you reach the point before the deletion happened.

Does deleting a column remove the data from other people's copies if I'm sharing the document?

Yes. When you delete a row or column from a shared document, the change appears for everyone who has access to it. They see the updated table without that row or column. If they had the document open when you deleted it, their view updates automatically.

Can I delete multiple rows or columns at once?

Google Docs does not have a built-in way to select and delete multiple rows or columns at the same time. You must delete them one at a time by right-clicking each row or column individually.

What if I want to keep the data but remove it from the table?

Copy the data from the cells before you delete the row or column. Paste it elsewhere in your document or in a different document. Then delete the row or column from the table. This way the information is preserved outside the table.