How to Remove Every Other Blank Row from an Excel Column
Question details
The user needs to clean up a long list in Excel by deleting or filtering out alternating blank rows that appear between data entries.
- Product
- Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Organizing and cleaning up a spreadsheet dataset where values are separated by unwanted empty rows.
- Observed behavior
- Data values appear on every other row, leaving a sequence of interspersed blank rows that make the list difficult to analyze or process.
Before deleting blank rows, check if your dataset contains adjacent columns. Deleting entire sheet rows will remove data across the whole worksheet, which might disrupt information that doesn't share the same alternating blank pattern.
Use Go To Special to Delete Blank Rows
This is the most efficient method to quickly locate and delete all empty rows within a selected range without manually clicking each one.
The 'Go To Special' feature allows Excel to instantly select all empty cells within your highlighted range. Once selected, you can delete them simultaneously.
Highlight the specific column or range that contains the alternating data and blank rows.
Press the F5 key on your keyboard to open the 'Go To' dialog box, then click the 'Special...' button.
In the Go To Special dialog, select the 'Blanks' radio button and click 'OK'. Excel will now highlight only the empty cells in your range.
Navigate to the Home tab on the ribbon. In the Cells group, click 'Delete' and choose 'Delete Sheet Rows'. The blank rows will vanish, leaving a continuous list.
Use the FILTER Function for a Dynamic List
Ideal for users who want to extract the data into a new, clean list while preserving the original dataset.
Sort the Column to Group Data Together
A simple alternative that forces all cells with values to the top and pushes all blank rows to the bottom.
Easily Remove Blank Rows in WPS Office
WPS Spreadsheet offers powerful, intuitive data cleanup tools like Go To Special and advanced array formulas. You can seamlessly remove unwanted rows and organize your workflow without modifying your original file formats.
- 1. Highlight your data: Open your spreadsheet in WPS Office and select the column containing the alternating blank rows.
- 2. Open the Go To menu: Press Ctrl + G on your keyboard to bring up the Go To dialog.
- 3. Highlight blank cells: Select the 'Blanks' option to instantly highlight every empty cell in your selection.
- 4. Delete the rows: Right-click any highlighted cell, select 'Delete', and choose 'Entire Row' or 'Shift cells up' depending on your layout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting blank sheet rows affect data in other columns?
Yes. If you choose 'Delete Sheet Rows', Excel removes the entire row across the whole worksheet. To prevent this, select 'Shift cells up' instead, which only removes the blank cells in the specific column you highlighted.
Can I automate the removal of blank rows?
Yes, by using the FILTER function (e.g., =FILTER(A:A, A:A<>"")), you can create a dynamic column that automatically updates to exclude any blank rows as new data is entered into the original column.
Why didn't Go To Special find all my blank rows?
Go To Special only identifies completely empty cells. If a cell contains hidden characters, spaces, or formatting remnants from a formula, Excel will not consider it blank. You may need to use the TRIM function or Clear Contents on those cells first.
