How to Resize an Excel Table in WPS Spreadsheets When the Selected Area Is Too Large
Question details
The user needs to resize an Excel table that was accidentally expanded and now triggers an error that the selected deletion area is too large.
- Product
- WPS Office Spreadsheets
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- A user accidentally expanded a table and now needs to restore it to its intended range while preserving table functionality.
- Observed behavior
- WPS Spreadsheets shows an error stating that the area selected for deletion is too large when trying to resize or remove unwanted cells.
Open your workbook in WPS Spreadsheets and note the exact intended cell range for the table, such as A1:D20. This range is required when you update the table boundaries in the Table Design tab.
Resize the Table from the Table Design Tab in WPS Spreadsheets
Use this when the table still needs table features and you know the intended cell range.
The Resize Table command only updates the table range. It does not delete data outside the new range, so clear any accidental extra content first if needed.
Click any cell within the expanded table in WPS Spreadsheets to activate Table Tools.
Go to the Table Design tab on the ribbon and click Resize Table.
In the Resize Table dialog box, type or select the intended range, for example A1:D20, then click OK.
Clear Extra Data or Formatting Outside the Intended Table Range
Use this if WPS Spreadsheets prevents the table from being resized because the surrounding cells contain data or formatting.
Convert the Table to a Normal Range if Table Features Are Not Required
Use this when you only need the data without Excel table behavior and want to stop table-related errors.
Resize Excel Tables in WPS Spreadsheets Without Losing Your Data
Use the Table Design tab in WPS Spreadsheets to resize an Excel table, fix the 'selected area is too large' error, and keep the workbook fully compatible with Microsoft Excel .xlsx files.
- 1. Open your workbook in WPS Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Office and open the .xlsx workbook that contains the expanded table.
- 2. Click inside the table: Select any cell within the table to display the Table Design tab.
- 3. Resize the table range: Go to Table Design > Resize Table, enter the intended range, and click OK.
- 4. Clear excess cells if needed: Delete or clear data and formatting outside the new table range before resizing if WPS asks you to reduce the selection.
- 5. Save the workbook: Save the file to keep the corrected table range and maintain Excel compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does WPS Spreadsheets say the selected area is too large when I try to delete or resize a table?
This error appears when the table range or the cells selected for deletion include more rows or columns than expected. Use Table Design > Resize Table to correct the range, or clear the extra cells outside the table first.
Can I resize an Excel table by dragging the corner handle instead of using the Table Design tab?
Yes, but the corner handle only works for small adjustments. For an accidental expansion, use Table Design > Resize Table and enter the exact range.
Will resizing an Excel table delete data outside the new range in WPS Spreadsheets?
No. Resizing only updates the table boundaries. Data or formatting outside the new range remains in the sheet, so remove it separately if it is not needed.
How do I convert an Excel table to a normal range in WPS Spreadsheets?
Click inside the table, go to the Table Design tab, and choose Convert to Range. Confirm the prompt, then delete excess rows or columns manually.
Does WPS Spreadsheets support Excel table features such as Table Design and Resize Table?
Yes. WPS Spreadsheets is compatible with Excel .xlsx files and includes table tools such as Table Design, Resize Table, and Convert to Range.
