What Is Delete Row Shortcut In Google Sheets?
Delete Row Shortcut in Google Sheets allows users to delete a single or multiple rows in an existing dataset using the keyboard shortcut keys and remove spare or unnecessary rows.
The Google Sheets Delete Row Shortcut helps in structuring and organizing the dataset and helps get precise analysis and to generate the precise reports with required data. For example, we have the student scores given below against their names and an extra row, i.e. row 6. Let us use the Google Sheets Delete Row Shortcut to delete the spare row.

Select row 6 and press the shortcut keys, to delete the selected row.

The resulting dataset is shown above. The empty or the spare row 6 is removed and the other rows have moved up taking its place. .
Key Takeaways
- Delete Row Shortcut in Google Sheets is a feature to delete an extra, spare, or an empty row or multiple rows in an existing dataset that is not required. It can be performed in various ways such as, using the Edit tab, using the right-click method and by using Keyboard Shortcut Keys “Ctrl+Alt+-”.
- The methods used to delete a single row are the same methods used to delete multiple rows, except that to delete a single row we select a a single row and select multiple rows to delete multiple rows, accordingly.
- When we want to delete a cell or a cell range, we get the same options as that of the Delete Row options and not options to delete just the cell.
- By default, we do not have the Unhide option. However, once we hide any rows, immediately the “Unhide rows” option appears in between the “Hide” and the “Resize” options, that we get when we right-click on the Row names.
How To Delete Row In Google Sheets Using Shortcut?
A few ways to Delete Row in Google Sheets using Shortcut are,
- Using the Edit Menu.
- Using the Right-Click Button.
- Using Keyboard Shortcuts.
Method #1 – Uisng the Edit Menu –
Step 1: Select the row to delete, here Row 3.
Step 2: Select the “Edit” tab – click the “Delete” option right-arrow – select the “Row 3” option, as shown below.

Method #2 – Using the Right-Click Button –
Step 1: Select the row to delete, here Row 3.
Step 2: Right-click and select the “Delete row” option, as shown below.

Method #3 – Using Keyboard Shortcuts –
Step 1: Select the row to delete, here Row 3.
Step 2: Press the keyboard shortcut keys “Ctrl+Alt+-” at once.
Examples
We will consider some Delete Row in Google Sheets examples to understand the Delete Feature in a better way,
Consider the following employee details dataset that consists of the employee names, their IDs, departments and January to June salaries and perform the above-mentioned modifications for the dataset.

Example #1 – Delete Row using the Edit Menu
The steps to Delete Row using the Edit Menu are as follows,
Step 1: Choose row 7 – select the “Edit” tab – click the “Delete” option right-arrow, to view the delete options, as shown below.

Step 2: Select the “Row 7” option to get the following modified dataset. The rest of the dataset moves to the corresponding rows.

Example #2 – Delete Row using the right-click button
The steps to Delete Row using the right-click button are as follows,
Step 1: Choose row 3 and right-click to view the options, as shown below.

Step 2: Select the “Delete row” option to get the following modified dataset. The rest of the dataset moves to the corresponding rows.

Example #3 – Delete Row using keyboard shortcuts
The steps to Delete Row using keyboard shortcuts are as follows:
Step 1: Select row 10, as shown below.

Step 2: Press the keyboard shortcut keys “Ctrl+Alt+-” all together.

The updated dataset is shown above, where row 10 is deleted and the last row moved up.
Example #4 – Deleting Multiple Rows in Google Sheets
Remember that we have the option to delete a one row when we click on a Row number, as we learnt earlier. Therefore, to delete multiple rows, we must select that many rows and delete. We will understand that better with the example.
The steps to Deleting Multiple Rows in Google Sheets are as follows,
Step 1: Choose rows 4 to 7 and right-click to view the options, as shown below.

Step 2: Select the “Delete rows 4 – 7” option to get the following modified dataset. The rest of the dataset moves to the corresponding rows.

Important Things To Note
- When we cut a row, ensure to insert a new row before pasting the cut cells. Or else it will get pasted on the existing data. Meaning, it will overwrite the data.
- If the rows are hidden, when we copy data and paste it, the hidden rows, by default, will get copy-pasted.
- If we select one row, then, we get option to insert only one row. To insert multiple rows, select that many rows and then we can see the option to insert that many rows to the left or to the right.
- The same holds good while deleting the rows. Multiple rows give us multiple rows delete option.
Download Template
This article must help understand Delete Row Shortcut in Google Sheets with its formulas and examples. You can download the template here to use it instantly.
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