Delete a pivot table by selecting it and pressing Delete
To remove a pivot table you no longer need, select any cell inside the table, then press the Delete key. This clears the data from the pivot table but leaves the table structure in place. If you want to remove the entire pivot table including its framework, right-click on the table, select "PivotTable" from the menu, then choose "Delete" — the exact wording depends on whether you use Excel or Google Sheets.
The process takes seconds and does not affect your original data. Pivot tables pull information from a source range (usually a list of raw data elsewhere in your spreadsheet), so deleting the pivot table leaves that source data untouched. You can rebuild the pivot table later if you change your mind.
Key Takeaways
- Pressing Delete clears pivot table values but keeps the table structure; right-clicking and selecting Delete removes the entire table.
- Deleting a pivot table does not delete your original data — the source information stays in your spreadsheet.
- In Excel, right-click the pivot table and choose "PivotTable" then "Delete"; in Google Sheets, right-click and select "Delete pivot table".
- If you delete a pivot table by mistake, use Ctrl+Z (or Cmd+Z on Mac) to undo the action when ready.
How to delete a pivot table in Excel
In Excel, click any cell inside the pivot table you want to remove. Go to the PivotTable Tools menu at the top of the screen — this menu only appears when a pivot table cell is selected. Click "Analyze" (in newer Excel versions) or "Options" (in older versions), then look for a "Delete" button in the toolbar. Click it and choose "Delete PivotTable" from the dropdown.
Alternatively, right-click anywhere inside the pivot table. A context menu appears. Select "PivotTable" from the list, then click "Delete" in the submenu. Both methods remove the entire pivot table at once. If you only want to clear the values without removing the table structure, select the pivot table, press Delete, and the data disappears while the empty table remains.
How to delete a pivot table in Google Sheets
In Google Sheets, click any cell in the pivot table. Right-click and a menu appears. Look for "Delete pivot table" near the bottom of the menu and click it. Google Sheets removes the entire pivot table when ready. There is no separate "clear values only" option like Excel offers — deleting the pivot table removes both the data and the structure.
If you want to keep the data but change how it is organized, you can edit the pivot table instead of deleting it. Right-click the pivot table and select "Edit pivot table" to adjust which fields appear in rows, columns, or values. This is faster than deleting and rebuilding from scratch if you only need to make small changes.
What happens to your data when you delete a pivot table
Your original data remains in your spreadsheet. A pivot table is a summary view of data stored elsewhere — usually in a table or list on another sheet or in a different area of the same sheet. When you delete the pivot table, you are only removing that summary view, not the source information.
If you need the data again, you can create a new pivot table from the same source. The original numbers, names, dates, and other information are still there. This is why pivot tables are safe to experiment with — you can delete them without losing anything.
Undo a deleted pivot table
If you delete a pivot table by mistake, press Ctrl+Z on Windows or Cmd+Z on Mac when ready. This undoes the deletion and brings the pivot table back. You can undo multiple steps in a row if you need to go back further.
Undo works only if you have not closed the spreadsheet or performed other actions since the deletion. If you closed the file without saving, the pivot table is gone permanently. If you closed the file after deleting but before undoing, reopen the file and undo will still work as long as you have not made other changes.
When to delete versus edit a pivot table
Delete a pivot table if you no longer need the summary it shows and have no plans to use it again. Edit a pivot table if you want to change which fields appear, which rows or columns are visible, or how the data is grouped. Editing is faster than deleting and rebuilding.
To edit a pivot table in Excel, right-click it and select "PivotTable Analyze" or "Edit PivotTable". In Google Sheets, right-click and select "Edit pivot table". A panel opens where you can drag fields between rows, columns, and values sections. You can also filter the pivot table to show only certain data without deleting anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deleting a pivot table delete my original data?
No. A pivot table is a summary that pulls from your original data, which stays in your spreadsheet. Deleting the pivot table removes only the summary view, not the source information.
Can I undo a deleted pivot table?
Yes, if you press Ctrl+Z (or Cmd+Z on Mac) when ready after deleting. Undo works as long as you have not closed the spreadsheet or made other changes since the deletion.
What is the difference between pressing Delete and right-clicking to delete?
Pressing Delete clears the values inside the pivot table but leaves the table structure. Right-clicking and selecting Delete removes the entire table, including its framework. Use right-click delete if you want the pivot table completely gone.
Can I delete just part of a pivot table?
No. You delete the entire pivot table at once. If you want to hide certain rows or columns instead, use the filter buttons that appear in the pivot table headers to show only the data you need.
What if I need the pivot table again later?
You can create a new pivot table from the same source data. Your original information is still there, so rebuilding takes just a few clicks. You do not need to keep a pivot table around just in case.