4 Ways To Delete Filtered Rows In Excel

When working with large datasets in Excel, it's common to use filters to narrow down the data and focus on specific rows or columns. However, sometimes you may need to delete the filtered rows altogether. Whether you're trying to remove duplicate data, eliminate errors, or simply clean up your spreadsheet, deleting filtered rows can be a bit tricky. In this article, we'll explore four different ways to delete filtered rows in Excel, along with some tips and tricks to make the process easier.

Why Delete Filtered Rows?

Before we dive into the methods, let's quickly discuss why you might want to delete filtered rows in the first place. Some common reasons include:

Removing duplicate data: If you've got duplicate rows in your dataset, filtering and deleting them can help clean up your spreadsheet.
Eliminating errors: If you've got rows with errors or incorrect data, filtering and deleting them can help improve the overall accuracy of your data.
Reducing data size: If you're working with a large dataset, deleting filtered rows can help reduce the file size and make your spreadsheet more manageable.

Method 1: Using the "Delete Row" Option

One of the simplest ways to delete filtered rows is to use the "Delete Row" option. Here's how:

Select the filtered rows you want to delete by clicking on the first row and then pressing Ctrl+A to select all.
Right-click on the selected rows and choose "Delete Row" from the context menu.
Confirm that you want to delete the rows by clicking "OK" in the prompt that appears.

Method 2: Using the "Go To Special" Option

Another way to delete filtered rows is to use the "Go To Special" option. Here's how:

Select the filtered rows you want to delete by clicking on the first row and then pressing Ctrl+A to select all.
Press Ctrl+G to open the "Go To Special" dialog box.
In the dialog box, select "Blanks" and then click "OK".
Right-click on the selected rows and choose "Delete Row" from the context menu.
Confirm that you want to delete the rows by clicking "OK" in the prompt that appears.

Method 3: Using VBA Macro

If you're working with a large dataset and need to delete filtered rows regularly, you can create a VBA macro to automate the process. Here's an example of how you can create a macro:

Open the Visual Basic Editor by pressing Alt+F11 or by navigating to Developer > Visual Basic.
In the Visual Basic Editor, click "Insert" > "Module" to create a new module.
Paste the following code into the module:

Sub DeleteFilteredRows()
    Dim ws As Worksheet
    Set ws = ActiveSheet
    ws.UsedRange.AutoFilter Field:=1, Criteria1:="<>filtered criteria"
    ws.UsedRange.SpecialCells(xlCellTypeVisible).EntireRow.Delete
End Sub

Replace "filtered criteria" with the actual criteria you're using to filter your data.
Save the macro by clicking "File" > "Save" or by pressing Ctrl+S.
To run the macro, click "Developer" > "Macros" or press Alt+F8.

Method 4: Using Power Query

If you're using Excel 2010 or later, you can use Power Query to delete filtered rows. Here's how:

Select the filtered rows you want to delete by clicking on the first row and then pressing Ctrl+A to select all.
Go to the "Data" tab and click "From Table/Range".
In the "Power Query Editor", click "Add Column" > "Custom Column".
In the "Custom Column" dialog box, enter the following formula:

=if [filtered criteria] = "filtered value", null, [column name]

Replace "filtered criteria" and "filtered value" with the actual criteria and value you're using to filter your data.
Replace "column name" with the name of the column you want to delete.
Click "OK" to apply the formula.
Right-click on the column and choose "Remove" to delete the column.

Gallery of Excel Filtered Row Deletion Methods

FAQs

What is the fastest way to delete filtered rows in Excel?

The fastest way to delete filtered rows in Excel is to use the "Delete Row" option. Simply select the filtered rows, right-click, and choose "Delete Row".

Can I delete filtered rows using a VBA macro?

Yes, you can delete filtered rows using a VBA macro. Simply create a new module, paste the code into the module, and replace the filtered criteria with your actual criteria.

What is the difference between deleting filtered rows using Power Query and VBA macro?

Deleting filtered rows using Power Query is a more flexible and powerful method, as it allows you to create custom formulas and manipulate data in a more complex way. Deleting filtered rows using a VBA macro is a more straightforward method, but it requires more coding knowledge.