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Deleting contents of multiple cells in EXCEL

Is there a shortcut to delete the contents of multiple cells at one time in EXCEL

MacBook Pro

Posted on Nov 21, 2011 9:40 AM

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Posted on Dec 4, 2011 5:50 PM

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.

24 replies

Nov 21, 2011 10:58 AM in response to Christine Altieri

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

Nov 21, 2011 11:11 AM in response to Christine Altieri

I am new to the macbook pro and appreciate your trying to help...this is so frustrating as this action is so simple on a pc. I am able to highlight many cells at the same time...either next to each other or in random places - it just seems impossible to hit a "delete" key or combo of keys to delete the contents of all the cells at the same time - it doesn't make sense! I am sure I am missing something!

Nov 21, 2011 11:24 AM in response to TinaTMLA

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.

Aug 22, 2013 10:23 AM in response to TinaTMLA

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

Aug 27, 2013 7:21 AM in response to Christine Altieri

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.

Aug 27, 2013 10:28 AM in response to SkippyTheWonderLizard

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!!!!

Deleting contents of multiple cells in EXCEL

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