Clear data without deleting formulas

  • Thread starter Thread starter Winston
  • Start date Start date
W

Winston

We use several spreadsheets on a monthly basis, so every
month must delete the data that was input for the prior
month to put in the new data. However, we also need to be
careful not to delete any of the formulas while we're at
it.

What is the best way to clear out data without deleting
the formulas too? Deleting contents row by row (or column
by column) takes too long.

Regards!
Winston
 
Select your range of cells that can be cleared. Be careful not to select too
much (but you can eliminate formulas later).

Now with that range selected:
Edit|Goto|Special|Constants

hit the delete key on the keyboard to clearcontents.

You may even want to give that range (just the cells to be cleared) a nice range
name. Then you can edit|goto, type in your range name and then clear the
contents.
 
Another solution is to create a template that you can reuse:

1. Make a copy of your spreadsheet, and delete all the data
that will change each month.
2. Choose File>Save As
3. Type a name for the template, e.g. Overtime
4. From the 'Save as type' dropdown, choose Template (*.xlt)
The file name will change to an .xlt extension.
5. The template folder should automatically appear in the 'Save in'
dropdown at the top of the dialog box.
6. Click Save
7. Close the template.

At the start of the next month, choose File>New.
If you're using Excel 2002, from the Task Bar, under Templates, click on
'General Templates', select your template, and click OK.
 
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