Right-click the column letter and select Delete
The fastest way to delete a column in Excel is to right-click on the column letter at the top of the spreadsheet — the letter that runs vertically along the left edge — and choose Delete from the menu that appears. Excel removes the entire column and shifts all columns to the right one position to the left to fill the gap.
This method works the same way in Excel on Windows, Mac, and in Excel Online. The column letter is always clickable, even if the column contains data you want to keep nearby. When you delete, everything in that column disappears, and nothing shifts downward — only the columns beside it move.
If you delete a column by accident, press Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Command+Z (Mac) when ready to undo. Excel remembers your last several actions, so you can undo multiple times if needed.
Key Takeaways
- Click the column letter to select the entire column, then right-click and choose Delete to remove it completely.
- Deleting a column removes all data in that column and shifts remaining columns left, but does not affect rows.
- You can select multiple adjacent columns by clicking one letter, holding Shift, and clicking another, then delete them all at once.
- Undo with Ctrl+Z or Command+Z if you delete the wrong column.
- Clearing a column (right-click, choose Clear Contents) removes only the data, not the column structure itself.
Selecting multiple columns to delete at once
If you need to remove several columns in a row, select them all before deleting. Click the first column letter you want to remove, then hold Shift and click the last column letter in the range. All columns between them highlight in blue.
Right-click any of the highlighted column letters and choose Delete. Excel removes all selected columns in one action and shifts the remaining columns left. This is faster than deleting one column at a time, especially when you have ten or more columns to remove.
If the columns you want to delete are not next to each other — for example, you want to remove columns B, D, and F but keep C and E — click the first column letter, then hold Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) and click each additional column letter. Right-click and delete them all together.
The difference between deleting and clearing
Deleting a column removes the column structure itself and shifts everything to the left. Clearing a column removes only the data inside it and leaves the empty column in place. Choose the right action based on what you need.
To clear a column without deleting it, click the column letter, right-click, and choose Clear Contents. The column stays where it is, but all text, numbers, and formulas inside disappear. This is useful when you want to keep the column structure for a spreadsheet that other people use — they will know where to find that column even though it is empty.
Deleting is the better choice when a column no longer serves any purpose and you want a cleaner spreadsheet. Clearing is better when you are removing temporary data but the column itself is part of your spreadsheet layout.
Using the Edit menu instead of right-click
If right-clicking does not work on your device or you prefer menu navigation, you can delete a column through the top menu. Click the column letter to select it, then click Edit in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Look for Delete or Delete Cells in the dropdown menu.
In Excel Online, the menu path is slightly different. Select the column, then click Home in the ribbon at the top, find the Delete button in the toolbar, and click the small arrow next to it to see delete options. Choose Delete Columns.
This method takes a few more clicks than right-clicking, but it works when your mouse or trackpad is not responding reliably.
What happens to formulas when you delete a column
If other columns contain formulas that reference the column you are deleting, those formulas will break. For example, if column D contains the formula =A1+B1+C1 and you delete column B, the formula becomes =A1+#REF!+C1. The #REF! error means Excel cannot find the data it was supposed to add.
Before deleting a column, scan your spreadsheet for formulas that might depend on it. Look for cells that show = at the start, or use the Find function (Ctrl+F or Command+F) to search for the column letter inside formulas. If you find references, either rewrite the formulas first or delete the column and fix the errors afterward.
If you delete a column and formulas break, undo the deletion when ready with Ctrl+Z or Command+Z. Then update the formulas to reference different columns, or delete the data inside the column instead of the column itself.
Deleting columns in shared spreadsheets
If you are working in a spreadsheet that other people also use — such as a file shared through OneDrive, Google Drive, or a shared network folder — deleting a column affects everyone. Other users will see the column disappear the next time they refresh or reopen the file.
Before deleting a column in a shared spreadsheet, check with the other people who use it. They may have formulas, reports, or processes that depend on that column. If you delete it without warning, their work may break.
In Excel Online, you can see who else has the file open at the same time. Look for profile pictures or names in the top right corner of the screen. If others are actively working, consider waiting until they are done, or send them a message first.
Hiding a column instead of deleting it
If you want to remove a column from view without actually deleting it, you can hide it instead. Right-click the column letter and choose Hide. The column disappears from the spreadsheet, but the data stays in the file and formulas that reference it still work.
Hidden columns are useful when you have data you need to keep but do not want to see every day. For example, you might hide a column of internal notes or a column used only for calculations that feed into other columns.
To unhide a column, click the column letter before the hidden one and the column letter after it, right-click, and choose Unhide. The hidden column reappears between them. If you forget which columns are hidden, look for gaps in the column letter sequence — if you see A, B, D, E, you know C is hidden.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete a column if it contains data I need?
No — deleting removes the data permanently. Before you delete, copy the column data to another location or another spreadsheet if you need to keep it. Select the column, press Ctrl+C or Command+C to copy, open a new spreadsheet or document, and paste it there. Then you can safely delete the column from your original spreadsheet.
What if I delete the wrong column?
Press Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Command+Z (Mac) when ready to undo. Excel remembers your recent actions, so you can undo multiple times. If you have already saved the file after deleting, the undo history may be lost — in that case, you may need to restore from a backup or reopen the last saved version.
Does deleting a column affect the row numbers?
No. Deleting a column only shifts other columns left. Rows stay in the same position and keep their numbers. If you delete column B, row 5 is still row 5 — only the columns beside it move.
Can I delete a column in Excel on my phone?
Yes, in the Excel mobile app. Long-press the column letter to select it, then tap the trash or delete icon that appears. The process is the same as on a computer, though the menu layout is different because of the smaller screen.
What is the fastest way to delete many columns at once?
Select all the columns you want to remove at the same time, then right-click and delete them in one action. Click the first column letter, hold Shift, and click the last column letter to select a range. If the columns are not adjacent, hold Ctrl or Command and click each one individually, then delete all together.