Delete Empty Rows in Excel

If you’re struggling with a cluttered spreadsheet and want to delete empty rows in Excel, you’re in the right place. Whether you’re using Windows, macOS, or Ubuntu, there are fast and efficient ways to clean up your worksheet using built-in tools and keyboard shortcuts. Empty rows can make your data look unprofessional and disrupt sorting, filtering, and formulas—so let’s fix that!

🧹 Why Delete Empty Rows in Excel?

Empty rows often result from imported data, user error, or formatting gaps. Removing them improves:

Readability and data integrity
Sorting and filtering accuracy
File size and performance
Aesthetic and print layout

🛠️ How to Delete Empty Rows Manually

✅ Windows & macOS (Excel Desktop)

Select Your Data Range (e.g., A1:D1000)
Open Go To Special:
- Windows: Press Ctrl + G, then click Special…
- macOS: Press Cmd + G, then click Special…
Choose Blanks, then click OK
All empty cells will be selected.
Now:
- Press Ctrl + - (Windows) or Cmd + - (macOS)
- Choose “Entire row” and hit OK

This removes all rows with blank cells, so double-check if that fits your data context.

✅ Ubuntu (LibreOffice Calc)

Select your data range
Go to Edit > Find & Replace
Leave the Find field blank
Click More Options and check:
- Search in entire cells only
- Regular expressions
Enter ^$ in Find field (matches empty cells)
Click Find All, then press Ctrl + - to delete

Alternatively, use Data > Filter > Standard Filter to hide empty rows and delete them manually.

⚡ Pro Method: Use Filter to Remove Empty Rows

This is a universal method across all platforms.

Select your header row
Apply a filter:
- Windows: Ctrl + Shift + L
- macOS: Cmd + Shift + F
- Ubuntu: Data > AutoFilter
In the column dropdown, uncheck (Blanks)
Select the visible empty rows (now filtered out)
Right-click and choose Delete Row
Clear the filter to return to your full data

💡 Bonus: Use Power Query (Advanced Users)

If you frequently import large datasets, use Power Query to automate the cleanup:

Go to Data > Get & Transform Data > From Table/Range
Use the Remove Blank Rows option
Load back the cleaned dataset

Note: Power Query is available in Excel for Windows and macOS.

⌨️ Shortcut Recap: Delete Empty Rows in Excel

Action	Windows	macOS	Ubuntu (LibreOffice Calc)
Open Go To Special	Ctrl + G > Special	Cmd + G > Special	Not available
Delete Selected Rows	Ctrl + –	Cmd + –	Ctrl + –
Apply Filter	Ctrl + Shift + L	Cmd + Shift + F	Data > AutoFilter
Select All	Ctrl + A	Cmd + A	Ctrl + A

✅ Best Practices

Always back up your file before bulk deletions
Use filters to double-check what will be removed
For formulas, ensure you’re not deleting referenced cells
Use named ranges for complex sheets to simplify navigation

❓ FAQ – Deleting Empty Rows in Excel

Can I delete all empty rows at once?
Yes. Use Go To Special > Blanks, then delete entire rows.

Will it delete rows with one blank cell?
If using the Blanks method, yes. Use filters for more precision.

Does this work on merged cells?
Blanks in merged cells may behave differently. Unmerge first if needed.

Can I automate this for recurring tasks?
Yes, use Power Query or record a macro (Windows only).

✅ Conclusion

Learning how to delete empty rows in Excel is a must for clean, professional spreadsheets. Whether you’re on Windows, macOS, or Ubuntu, Excel offers plenty of built-in tools and shortcuts to make this task easy and fast. Just remember to preview what you’re deleting and back up your data beforehand.

Complete List of Windows Keyboard Shortcuts

If you need help for Windows, you can find a whole list of all keyboard shortcuts here.

https://keyboard-shortcuts.org/

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