Excel 365 - cannot select a row or column for delete

Question

I am using Excel 365 ProPlus (version 2002 Build 12527.20242 Click-to-Run).

If I select an entire row(s) or column(s) and right-click, the Delete option is grayed out.

I can select a cell, right-click and select the Delete option there, then get a Delete dialog box to delete entire row or entire column, but that is a workaround.

If I run Excel in safe mode, entire row or column right-click, Delete, does work successfully.

I have tried turning off all add-ins and extensions, but entire row or column right-click, Delete, is still grayed out.

I have also run the online repair, but after that Delete is still grayed out.

This is a problem for all files - old or newly created.

Screenshot:

Thanks in advance - Robert

Answer 1

Hi Robert,

Sorry for the trouble caused at your end.

As per your description, we understand that you’re not able to delete column because of grayed out when you right-click on it. So, we have tested in the same version and can’t reproduce the problem at our end and as you already tried Online repairing the Office application with no success, the other suggestions you can try are:

a. Change the Excel15.xlb to Excel15.old

Close the Excel application> Open the File Explorer> Go to following path “C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Excel”> Rename the Excel15.xlb to Excel15.old> Restart your PC and open the Excel application.

Note: Change the username with your device name.

b. If it doesn’t work, you need to rename or delete the Excel options in the Registry Editor and restart your PC.

Close the Excel application> Open the Registry Editor> Go to “Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Excel”> Rename or Delete the Options folder> Restart your PC> Open the Excel application.

Note: Before renaming or deleting, make sure you back up it.

In addition, we would like you provide the simple workaround that can be easy for you to delete the columns in Excel worksheet, follow the below steps:

Open the Excel application> File> Options> Quick Access Toolbar> Choose All commands> Scroll to Delete Sheet Columns and select it> Click on Add> OK

Now this shortcut will be added to your Quick Access Toolbar, where you can delete the column by one click.

Please share the updates for moving further.

Appreciate your understanding.

Best Regards,

Chitrahaas

Answer 2

Run the code below once.

Andreas.

Sub Test()

  Dim Item

  For Each Item In Array("Cell", "Row", "Column", "Ply")

    CommandBars(Item).Reset

  Next

End Sub

Answer 3

Thank you Andreas - that worked, but does that mean I have to macro enable every spreadsheet I create and run this to get Delete to work?

I will use the rename .xlb files suggested by Chitrahaas as my solution.

Robert

Answer 4

Chitrahaas - 

Renaming Excel15.xlb (and several other .xlb files in the Excel roaming folder) & rebooting seems to have fixed the problem.

Thanks very much!

Robert

Answer 5

Thank you Andreas - that worked, but does that mean I have to macro enable every spreadsheet I create and run this to get Delete to work?

Hi Robert,

No. You have  to run the code only once and it doesn't matter in what kind of workbook.

The XLSM or XLSB files are just to preserve the code when you close and reopen the file. No need for that in this case.

Andreas.