Removing table formatting in Excel is a simple task that can be accomplished in a few steps. Whether you’re looking to revert a table back to a standard range or remove the styling from a table while keeping the data organized, this guide will walk you through the process. After reading this paragraph, you’ll be equipped to strip away Excel table formatting quickly and efficiently.
Step by Step Tutorial on How to Remove Table Formatting in Excel
Before diving into the steps, it’s important to understand what we’re aiming to achieve. Removing table formatting in Excel can mean two things: converting a table back to a regular range of cells or simply clearing the table style while keeping the table functionality. We’ll cover both methods.
Step 1: Select the Table
Click on any cell within the table you wish to remove formatting from.
Selecting the table ensures that Excel knows which data you’re referring to. It’s essential to click inside the table, or else the following steps won’t apply to the correct range.
Step 2: Open the Table Design Tab
With the table selected, the Table Design tab will appear on the ribbon. Click on it to reveal table formatting options.
The Table Design tab is where all the magic happens regarding Excel table styles and formatting. It’s a context-specific tab that only appears when a table is selected, so if you don’t see it, make sure you’ve clicked inside a table.
Step 3: Convert to Range or Clear Table Style
To convert the table to a range, click ‘Convert to Range’ in the Tools group. To clear the table style but keep the data in a table format, click the More button in the Table Styles group and choose ‘Clear Table.’
Converting to a range will remove all table functionality, leaving you with plain, unformatted cells. If you wish to maintain the sorting and filtering options, clearing the table style is the better option. It will remove the visual formatting but keep the data in an organized structure.
After completing these steps, the table formatting will be removed. If you converted the table to a range, it would no longer function as a table, and you’ll see plain cells. If you cleared the table style, the table will still function with sorting and filtering capabilities, but it won’t have the default table look.
Tips for Removing Table Formatting in Excel
- If you have multiple tables to clear, you can repeat the steps for each table separately.
- Remember that converting a table to a range cannot be undone using the undo button, so be sure this is what you want before proceeding.
- Clearing the table style can be a good option if you still want to keep the table functions like sorting and filtering.
- For visual consistency, consider clearing table styles for all tables in your worksheet.
- If you want to retain some of the formatting, you can manually adjust cell styles after clearing the table style.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my data when I remove table formatting?
Your data remains intact. Only the visual style and table functions (if you convert to range) are removed.
Can I undo the action of converting a table to a range?
No, once you convert a table to a range, the undo command won’t revert it back to a table. Always make sure that’s what you want before doing it.
Is it possible to remove formatting from only specific columns within a table?
No, table formatting applies to the entire table. You would need to convert the table to a range and then apply individual formatting to each column.
How do I remove table formatting if the Table Design tab doesn’t show up?
Ensure that you’ve clicked inside the table. If it’s still not appearing, check to see if you’re in the correct Excel workbook or if the worksheet is protected.
Can I reapply a table style after clearing it?
Yes, you can reapply any table style by selecting a new style from the Table Styles group in the Table Design tab.
Summary
- Select the table
- Open the Table Design tab
- Convert to Range or Clear Table Style
Conclusion
Mastering how to remove table formatting in Excel is a handy skill that can help you regain control over your data presentation. Whether you’re preparing a report for your boss, tidying up a spreadsheet for a meeting, or simply prefer the cleanliness of unformatted data, knowing how to strip away those table styles is invaluable. With the steps outlined in this guide, you’re now equipped to tackle any table formatting challenges that come your way in Excel. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t hesitate to try out these steps in your next spreadsheet project. And if you ever find yourself in a bind, revisiting this guide can provide the refresher you need to excel at removing table formatting.
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.