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How to clear formatting in Excel – 2 quick methods

Here's how you can get it done quickly.
Kevin Pocock
Last Updated on

Reviewed By: Kevin Pocock

How to clear formatting in Excel – 2 quick methods
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Table of Contents

Are you wondering how to clear formatting in Excel but can’t figure out how? If so, then we’ve got you covered.

One of Excel's biggest strengths is the options for formatting that it can give its users. However, stacking formatting options on others can quickly cause problems to occur, and even lose values and data if they are inputted properly.

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To help keep your spreadsheet as clear as possible, it can be useful to know how to remove that formatting from your spreadsheet, so you can then apply our new format without any losses.

1

How you can clear formatting in Excel

Below are the steps you need to follow to clear formatting in Excel.

Step

1

Go to the Home tab

First, select the cells from which you want to remove the formatting. Then, click on the Home tab of Excel, before choosing the ‘Clear' option in the ‘Editing' section of the page.

Software interface displaying a flowchart diagram in a process design module, with an emphasis on a user selecting and editing interface elements, highlighted by red arrows and boxes. This interface includes features for clear formatting in
Home tab and the Clear button

Step

2

Click on the ‘Clear’ button

Press the ‘clear' button, before selecting the clear formatting option from the drop-down menu.

Dropdown menu in Excel displaying options for clearing cells, highlighted on 'clear formatting'.
Clear Formats button
2

How to remove formatting from the entire sheet

In case you want to save time and remove formatting from the entire sheet, follow these steps.

Step

1

Open Microsoft Excel

For this option, open Microsoft Excel and the spreadsheet that you want to clear the formatting from.

Step

2

Press CTRL + A

Once you are on the spreadsheet, press both the ‘Ctrl' and ‘A' keys on your keyboard. This will select the entire worksheet that you are currently on.

Screenshot of an Excel spreadsheet displaying a clear formatting table with model names and corresponding scores for individuals named Kan, Jenny, Kiver, Won, Ivy, and Cassie.
Sheet selected

Step

3

Go to the Home tab

With the worksheet selected, go to the ‘Home' tab, and, like with the previous options, select the ‘clear' button that is in the ‘Editing' section of the tab.

Step

4

Select Clear Formatting

As with the other options, select the ‘clear formatting' option on the menu that appears. This will remove the formatting from the entire sheet.

Final thoughts

As you can see for yourself, clearing formatting in Excel is a pretty straightforward task. Both methods can get the job done quickly, with the first one focusing on selected cells and the other being meant for entire sheets.

If you want to learn more about how Excel works, give these guides a read:

About the Author

Kevin Pocock

Kevin has a broad interest and enthusiasm for consumer electronics, PCs, and all things consumer tech. And more than 17 years experience in tech journalism.