Excel Delete Row Shortcut: Ctrl+Minus, and delete many rows fast

Deleting a row removes it completely — the rows below move up. (Pressing Delete only clears the contents and leaves an empty row.)

Steps

1. Click any cell in the row.
2. Press Shift + Space to select the whole row.
3. Press Ctrl + − (minus).

Mac: ⌘ + −.

Delete several rows

Select the first row (Shift + Space), then Shift + Down arrow to extend. Ctrl + −. For scattered rows, hold Ctrl while clicking row numbers, then Ctrl + −.

Delete all rows that match something

1. Filter the column to show only those rows (Ctrl + Shift + L, tick the value).
2. Select the visible rows by dragging across the row numbers.
3. Ctrl + −. Only the visible rows go; hidden rows are safe.
4. Clear the filter.

Delete a column

Ctrl + Space to select it, then Ctrl + −.

Undo

Ctrl + Z brings it back.

Check it worked

Row numbers are continuous; the row below moved up into the gap.

Common mistake

Pressing Ctrl + − on a single cell opens a dialog asking what to shift. Select the row first with Shift + Space to skip it.