Deleting contents of multiple cells in EXCEL

In order to delete content of multiple cells in excel, the keyboard shortcut is: Select the cell where you wish content to be deleted, Then, press the "fn" key, hold and then press the "delete" key.

found this on another thread

Plesase post Excel related questions on Microsoft's own forums for their Mac software. Apple Communities only provide support for Apple products:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/mac

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3510215?tstart=30

if the cells are not side by side and scattered all over the spreadsheet, hold down the command key with one hand, then press on the bottom of the pad with your thumb and navigate with the rest of your fingers to select the other cells, then after that hit the delete key... maybe, just trying to help and take a break from work at the office

Oh, I see. I am new too. I don't have my Mac with me now so I can't check for myself (I am at work). I want to try it now when I get home as you have piqued my interest!!! Are you keeping the command key pressed down at the same time as you press the delete key? Or maybe you have a basic keyboard? Do you have the separate number keypad at the side? My guess is bring it in to the Genius Bar at any store if no one else can help.

Since no one seems to have mentioned a one-key solution here yet (instead of the 2-key "Fn + Delete" option) I'll suggest the following which is working well for me:

1. Install "KeyRemap4MacBook." This shows up in your menu bar as a square.

2. Click its box, select "Preferences,"

3. Search for "backslash delete" (or something appropriate) and check the "Backslash(\) to Forward Delete (if no other modifiers are pressed)"

4. Now the assigned key will remove all contents (not formatting) from any selected cells in Excel

Benefits:

* If you opt to use your backslash key for this purpose, it's situtated perfectly right under the "delete" key.

* You can still access a real backslash ("\") by holding down "Fn" first

* You now have a forward delete key for use across ALL your other apps, solving a lot of other problems.

Good luck,

Garth

Christine:

While you may be correct as a matter of Apple orthodoxy, as a member of the MS Office for Mac forum, I can tell you that you are more likely to find an answer to these types of obscure problems here rather than on the Microsoft fora.

This very question was posted in the Microsoft Community:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/office/forum/office_2010-excel/deleting-in-ex cel/2d7223cc-f168-47b5-8d87-730464c3227c?msgId=fa5faf94-95ed-470f-bfb1-b6ecfe790 ce7

and no one knew the answer. I myself have been disappointed with the help available over there.

Thanks for the link Skippy

I most likely have misconstrued everything on the link you provided, plus the fact that I quickly skimmed most of it on my lunch break. I just tried it on Microsoft Excel using a "mouse" and it's very easy to point and click separate cells and then proceed to hit the delete key - it works fine - however, I realize now I should've worded it all differently,

"How do you select multiple cells in Excel using just a laptop pad (the little square thing below the space bar - I don't know the right name)?" as we know using a mouse and keyboard we hold down the control key and select the cells with our mouse, but how do we hold down anything with a laptop pad?

I am at work now and cannot go back to try again - but I think I have a good question!!! or I can just purchase a wireless mouse!!!!

The easiest way that I found to delete the contents of multiple cells is:

a) if the cells are next to each other - simply highlight all cells. Then on top of the screen click edit, then clear, then all. The contents are all gone.

b) if the cells are not next to each other and scattered all about the page - Press and hold the Commend key and highlight all cells that you wish to be cleared. Then proceed with clicking edit, clear & all.

I don't think that this is a Mac vs PC issue, necessarily--I can delete all selected cells on my main Mac at home without holding down any extra keys or taking the extra step to Clear All; however, my MacBook Pro laptop will only delete the top cell, as you have described.

I'm thinking that there will be a way to set preferences but haven't found it yet. This might be different depending on the version of the OS installed. Any thoughts? I'm currently running El Capitan OSX 10.11.2.

I don't know, but I'd take a guess that you highlight by clicking and dragging as if you would select a group of pics you'd like to delete or copy in your "finder" then hit the delete key?

i just got home and tried it. I found out how to delete cells next to each other - just highlight, go to top menu, edit and then clear. Something is better than nothing

THANKS!!!, u make my day, **** excel!!

Wonderful! I had the same problem with MS Office (Excel) Mac 2008.

Pressing the delete key would only clear the contents of one cell of a selected range. This fixes that problem.