How do I remove an embedded form from Excel?

Question

I copied some data from a website into my Excel spreadsheet. Part of this was a drop down list. I am trying to delete it and it seems to be impossible. I don't want to use Undo because I would lose all my subsequent changes.

I tried to click on the cell and delete it but this doesn't do anything and does not show any data in this cell. I tried the instructions for Go To Special/Data Validation and Clear All and it doesn't work, it tells me there is no data validation in the spreadsheet. If I click on the cell and Data tab then most of the options are greyed out, including Data Validation.

I somehow found the following =EMBED("Forms.HTML:Select.1","") but if I clear this, I get an error and the only way out is to Escape, which puts it back. I can't remember what I did to find this.

I am using Office 365 version 2304 (Build 16327.20214 Click-to-run)

I would be so grateful for some help.

Answer 1

Hello Barbara,

I am sorry you had to experience this. To remove an embedded form from Excel;

Kindly try this;

1. Place the mouse cursor over the chart's border. Do not place it within the chart; this may select individual chart elements, such as the legend box or headings.
2. Click the mouse. Excel will select the chart, surrounding it with a thicker, light gray border.
3. Press "Backspace" or "Delete." The embedded chart will vanish from the worksheet.

You can also follow this link for more help;

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/embedded-files-or-objects-found-ddba9b87-ab3a-4075-b2f7-fcbd309ef004

Hope I have been able to be of help.

Many thanks, Dilly.

Answer 2

Hi Dilly

Thank you so much for your reply. Unfortunately this did not work. I am unable to select the object in any way that I can think of. If I click anywhere on it, it does not become 'selected' and there is no border around it. I have tried selecting the area where it is and doing a cut and paste elsewhere, and it moves all the other data but leaves this object. It is a drop down list as shown below. I can't show you an image of what happens when I click on it because Snip and Sketch changes it, but I have clicked on it in this photo and you can see that it shows a formula in the top part, which is actually from column G and is not related to the object.

I may be able to copy the whole spreadsheet to a new sheet and maybe it will leave the object behind, or I may be able to copy the spreadsheet in sections to avoid this little area. But this is a workaround, not a real solution and I am interested in finding out how to do it because there should be a way.

I read the additional information you referred me to, using document inspector. I don't know how to get to Document Inspector, but it seems it won't really help as it doesn't tell you how to remove an object.

Answer 3

File > Options > Customize Ribbon > Choose commands from > Main Tabs > Developer > Add

Then, back in the worksheet:

Developer > Design Mode, which allowed me to select and delete!

One was =EMBED("Forms.HTML:Select.1","")
One was =EMBED("Forms.HTML:Text.1","")

Answer 4

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply.

I did manage to find a way to get around my problem, I think it involved cutting and pasting into a new spreadsheet in sections but I can't really remember now. I also can't find the copy that had the embedded object as I would love to give your answer a try.

However, I have bookmarked your response because I learned a few things from it, which are bound to be helpful in future.

Answer 5

Thank you very much I solved my problem with you reply.