Removing formulas in Excel is a fairly simple process that involves converting the formula cells into static data. This means that your cell will no longer automatically update when the input cells change. This is useful if you want to preserve the data as it is without any further changes.
Step by Step Tutorial: How to Remove Formulas in Excel
Removing formulas in Excel is a handy skill to have when you want to prevent further automatic updates to your data. The steps below will walk you through the process of removing formulas and keeping the values in place.
Step 1: Select the cells with formulas
Click and drag your mouse over the cells that contain the formulas you want to remove.
Selecting the cells is the first crucial step. Make sure not to miss any cell that contains a formula you wish to remove. You can also use the ‘Find & Select’ feature in Excel to quickly locate all formula cells.
Step 2: Copy the selected cells
Right-click on the selected cells and choose ‘Copy’, or press Ctrl + C on your keyboard.
Copying the cells is essential as it allows you to paste the values back into the same cells without the formulas.
Step 3: Paste values over the formulas
Right-click on the selected cells again and choose ‘Paste Special’. In the dialog box, select ‘Values’ and click ‘OK’.
Pasting the values over the formulas is the key step in this process. It replaces the formulas with the static data that was calculated by the formulas.
After completing these steps, the cells that previously contained formulas will now contain only the values. This means that the cells will no longer update automatically if the input data changes.
Tips for Removing Formulas in Excel
- Always make a backup of your Excel file before removing formulas, just in case you need to revert back.
- If you want to remove all formulas in a worksheet, press Ctrl + A to select all cells before copying and pasting values.
- Use the ‘Find & Select’ feature under the Home tab to select all cells with formulas at once.
- Remember that once you remove a formula, you cannot undo this action after saving and closing the Excel file.
- Consider using ‘Paste Special’ shortcuts like Alt + E, S, V, and Enter to quickly paste values.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I remove a formula but keep the value in Excel?
You can remove a formula by copying the cell and pasting only the value over it. This keeps the value the formula generated but removes the formula itself.
Can I remove formulas from multiple cells at once?
Yes, you can select multiple cells that contain formulas and follow the same process to remove formulas from all the selected cells.
What happens if I accidentally delete a formula?
If you haven’t saved the file, you can undo the action by pressing Ctrl + Z. However, if you have saved the file after deleting the formula, you cannot recover it.
How can I tell if a cell has a formula in Excel?
A cell with a formula will display the formula in the formula bar when the cell is selected. You can also use the ‘Show Formulas’ feature under the Formulas tab to display all formulas in the worksheet.
Is there a shortcut to remove formulas in Excel?
While there is no direct shortcut to remove formulas, you can use a combination of shortcuts to copy and paste as values: Ctrl + C to copy, Alt + E, S, V to open the Paste Special dialog, and Enter to paste as values.
Summary
- Select the cells with formulas.
- Copy the selected cells.
- Paste values over the formulas.
Conclusion
Removing formulas in Excel is a valuable technique to master, especially when dealing with large datasets or sharing files with others who may not need to see or edit the underlying formulas. By turning formula cells into static data, you maintain the integrity of the information as it stands, without worrying about further changes. It’s a straightforward process, but always remember to make a backup of your data before making any permanent changes. With a few simple clicks, you can easily manage your Excel worksheets and keep your data consistent and accurate. Whether you’re a seasoned Excel user or just getting started, knowing how to remove formulas in excel can save you time and prevent potential errors in your work.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.