Introduction
Microsoft Excel is an extremely useful tool for managing, analyzing, and sorting data. However, anyone who has worked with Excel has likely experienced formatting issues at some point or another. This is especially true when it comes to tables, which can accidentally be formatted in strange, hard-to-read ways. Fortunately, removing table formatting in Excel does not have to be a difficult process. This article provides a comprehensive guide to removing table formatting in Excel that is geared towards beginners and experienced users alike.
Step-by-Step Guide to Removing Table Formatting in Excel
To remove table formatting in Excel, follow the steps listed below:
1. Select the table that you want to remove formatting from. This can be done by clicking on any cell within the table.
2. In the “Home” tab of the ribbon, locate the “Editing” group. Within this group, there is a button called “Clear”. Click on the arrow next to this button to expand the options.
3. Select “Clear Formats” from the drop-down menu. This will remove any formatting on the selected table.
4. Once you have removed the formatting, make sure to double-check that everything looks correct. If any data is missing or hasn’t updated correctly, it may be necessary to manually re-enter it.
Types of Table Formatting to Remove
While there are countless types of formatting that can be applied to tables in Excel, some are more common than others. Below, we have provided instructions for removing some of the most common formatting types:
Column Widths
To undo specific column widths within a table, follow these steps:
1. Select the columns that you want to adjust.
2. Hover over the right side of the last selected column header until the cursor changes to a double-sided arrow.
3. Click and drag the column until it is the desired width, then release the mouse button.
4. Once you have adjusted your columns, you may want to go through the process of removing all other formatting as well, to ensure that your table is in a consistent and easy-to-read format.
Cell Shading
To remove cell shading from cells within a table, follow these steps:
1. Select the cells that you want to adjust.
2. In the “Home” tab of the ribbon, locate the “Font” group. Within this group, there is a button called “Fill Color”.
3. Click on the arrow next to this button to expand the options.
4. Select “No Fill” from the drop-down menu. This will remove any cell shading from the selected cells.
Borders
To remove cell borders within a table, follow these steps:
1. Select the cells that you want to adjust.
2. In the “Home” tab of the ribbon, locate the “Font” group. Within this group, there is a button called “Borders”.
3. Click on the arrow next to this button to expand the options.
4. Select “No Border” from the drop-down menu. This will remove any cell borders from the selected cells.
Keyboard Shortcuts for Removing Table Formatting
For Excel power users, keyboard shortcuts can significantly speed up work processes. Here are some of the most useful keyboard shortcuts for removing formatting from tables in Excel.
1. To clear all formatting from a cell or range of cells, press “Ctrl + Space” to select the cell(s), then press “Ctrl + Shift + Space” to remove formatting.
2. To remove the border from a cell, select the cell and press “Ctrl + Shift + Underscore”.
3. To remove shading from a cell, select the cell and press “Ctrl + Shift + -“.
Comparison of Methods for Removing Table Formatting
There are several ways to remove formatting from tables in Excel. Here are some of the most popular methods:
Method 1: Using the “Clear Formatting” Feature
This method involves using the “Clear Formats” function within the “Editing” group of the ribbon. This is a good option for users who are new to Excel and want a straightforward, easy-to-use method.
Method 2: Converting a Table to a Range
To convert a table to a range, select your table and navigate to the “Table Design” tab. Here, select “Convert to Range” under “Tools”. This is a good option for users who want to keep their data in a table format, but remove all formatting.
Method 3: Using VBA Code
For advanced users familiar with Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), you can write code to remove formatting from tables automatically. This is a good option for users working with large amounts of data who want to save time and reduce errors in their work.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Removing Table Formatting
Even seasoned Excel users can make mistakes when removing formatting from tables. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
1. Always make sure to select the correct cells before removing formatting. If the wrong cells are selected, important data may be accidentally erased.
2. Make sure to use the “Clear Formats” option rather than the “Delete” option. If you select “Delete”, Excel will remove not only formatting, but also data that exists in the cells.
3. Remember that removing formatting from a table will affect all cells within that table. If there is any data in the cells that is not related to the table, it will be deleted as well.
Conclusion
Removing formatting from tables in Excel is a simple process that can save a lot of time and make data easier to read. By using the “Clear Formats” tool, keyboard shortcuts, or other methods discussed above, users can quickly and efficiently remove undesirable table formatting. Additionally, users should be aware of the common mistakes associated with removing formatting and take care to avoid them. By following these tips, Excel users can ensure that their data and tables remain clean, organized, and easy to read.
