XL97: Data in Hidden Columns Is Not Deleted

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This article was previously published under Q164316

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SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to delete the cell contents of a selection that contains some hidden columns, Microsoft Excel fails to delete the data in the hidden cells.

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CAUSE

This behavior occurs if the following conditions are true:

You are using AutoFilter to filter a list. -and-
The list contains hidden columns. -and-
The selection that you want to delete consists of entire rows.

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To work around this problem, select a range of cells instead of the entire row, and then click Delete Rows on the Edit menu.

Example:

For example, to delete the cell contents in a selection that contains hidden columns, use the following steps:

Type the following data into a worksheet:

   A1:  1     B1:  A     C1:  A    D1:  A     E1:  A
   A2:  2     B2:  A     C2:  A    D2:  A     E2:  A
   A3:  3     B3:  A     C3:  A    D3:  A     E3:  A
   A4:  4     B4:  B     C4:  B    D4:  B     E4:  B
   A5:  5     B5:  B     C5:  B    D5:  B     E5:  B
   A6:  6     B6:  B     C6:  B    D6:  B     E6:  B
   A7:  7     B7:  C     C7:  C    D7:  C     E7:  C
   A8:  8     B8:  C     C8:  C    D8:  C     E8:  C
   A9:  9     B9:  C     C9:  C    D9:  C     E9:  C
   A10: 10    B10: C     C10: C    D10: C     E10: C

Select cells C1 and D1.
On the Format menu, point to Column, and then click Hide.
Select cell A1.
On the Data menu, point to Filter, and then click AutoFilter.
Click the AutoFilter arrow in cell B1, and click b.
Select the range A4:E6.

NOTE: Do not select the row by clicking the row number.
On the Edit menu, click Delete Row.
When you are prompted to delete entire rows, click Yes.

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STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows. This problem was corrected in Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows, Service Release 1.

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REFERENCES

For more information about filtering a list, click the Index tab in Microsoft Excel Help, type the following text

autofilter

and then double-click the selected text to go to the "Ways to find values in a list by using filters" topic.

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APPLIES TO

Microsoft Excel 97 Standard Edition

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kbbug KB164316

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Retired KB Content Disclaimer

This article was written about products for which Microsoft no longer offers support. Therefore, this article is offered "as is" and will no longer be updated.

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