VBA & Macro Problems

How to Remove Unwanted Macro Buttons From an Excel Workbook

Algirdas Jasaitis Oct 8, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user needs to delete leftover macro buttons or form controls from an Excel spreadsheet.

How to Remove Unwanted Macro Buttons From an Excel Workbook

Product: Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: After opening an Excel workbook in other software like LibreOffice Calc, form controls and macro buttons may be created, altered, or orphaned, remaining on the sheet even if the macro is gone.
Observed behavior: Unwanted macro buttons remain visible on the spreadsheet, and clicking them normally may trigger an error rather than selecting the object for deletion.

Before you start

Before making structural changes to your spreadsheet's form controls, it is highly recommended to save a backup copy of your workbook.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Design Mode to Select and Delete Unwanted Buttons

Enabling Design Mode allows you to interact with the macro button as a selectable object rather than an executable trigger, making it easy to delete.

When a macro button is active on a spreadsheet, simply left-clicking it will attempt to run the assigned VBA code. To safely remove the button, you must bypass this behavior using Excel's built-in Developer tools.

Enable the Developer Tab

If you do not see the Developer tab on your top ribbon, go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon. In the right-hand list of Main Tabs, check the box next to 'Developer' and click OK.

Activate Design Mode

Click on the Developer tab in the ribbon. Locate the Controls group and click on 'Design Mode' to turn it on.

Delete the Macro Button

With Design Mode active, click on the unwanted macro button. You will see sizing handles appear around its edges, indicating it is selected. Press the 'Delete' key on your keyboard to remove it.

Turn Off Design Mode and Save

Click the 'Design Mode' button again to disable it. Finally, save your workbook to ensure the form control is permanently removed.

Use Design Mode to Select and Delete Unwanted Buttons

Alternative Selection Method: If you don't want to enable the Developer tab, you can sometimes select a button without triggering the macro by right-clicking it. Once right-clicked, press the 'Esc' key to close the context menu, leaving the button selected, then press Delete.

Manage Spreadsheets with WPS Office

Remove Macro Buttons Smoothly in WPS Spreadsheet

WPS Office Spreadsheet provides excellent compatibility with Excel macros and form controls, giving you a streamlined Developer environment to manage or remove unwanted objects seamlessly.

1. Open your Workbook in WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office and open the Excel file containing the unwanted macro buttons.
2. Access the Developer Tools: Navigate to the 'Developer' tab on the top ribbon. If it is hidden, go to Menu > Options > Customize Ribbon to enable it.
3. Enable Design Mode: Click on 'Design Mode' in the Developer tab so you can select objects without running their scripts.
4. Delete the Button: Click the unwanted macro button to highlight it, press the Delete key, and then save your document.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xlsm, .xls) formatsIntuitive Developer tools for managing VBA macros and form controlsLightweight application that opens large files quicklyFree and fully featured alternative for everyday spreadsheet tasks

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I just click the macro button to delete it?

By default, left-clicking a macro button tells Excel to execute the VBA code assigned to it. To select the button as an editable object, you must either right-click it or enable Design Mode from the Developer tab.

Will deleting the macro button also delete the underlying VBA code?

No, deleting the button only removes the visual form control from your worksheet. The actual VBA script will remain in your workbook. To remove the code, you must press Alt + F11 to open the Visual Basic Editor and delete the corresponding module.

How can I remove multiple macro buttons at the same time?

Go to the Home tab, click 'Find & Select' (or 'Find and Replace'), and choose 'Selection Pane'. In the panel that appears on the right, hold the 'Ctrl' key while clicking multiple objects in the list to select them simultaneously, then press the Delete key.

Why did extra buttons appear when opening my file in LibreOffice?

Different spreadsheet software handles proprietary form controls and VBA objects differently. Opening Excel files in alternative software can sometimes cause compatibility glitches, resulting in duplicated or visually altered buttons. Saving a standard copy in a strictly compatible environment like WPS Office or Microsoft Excel helps prevent this.

Excel & Data Problems