OHSU's Software Forum

Bill Foust · Joined: 11 Apr 2008 Posts: 10

One of the common tasks for Excel users at the beginning of a new fiscal year is to create copies of the prior years' files, then re-name them and delete all the data in order to set up the file for the new year, that is to say, to delete everything except the formulas. There's a shortcut for this, which is described below, followed by a caution.

Deleting everything in an Excel file except formulas:

1. Press F5; the "Go To" dialog box appears.
2. Press the "Special" button; the "Go To Special" dialog box appears.
3. Select the "Constants" radio button, and click OK.

These steps will select all of the cells that do not contain formulas.

4. Press "Delete"; all of this data will be gone, but all of the formulas on the worksheet will be untouched.

Repeat these steps with any other worksheets in the file, as necessary, and save with a new name.

Caution: this procedure deletes EVERYTHING that is not a formula. This means that your headings and column labels will also be deleted. Be prepared to copy them back in from the prior year's file.