Clears the contents of the selected cells but keeps formats, comments, and validation.

Windows

Delete

Mac

Delete

• Clear values

  Select a range, press Delete → Values and formulas are cleared, formatting stays

  The safe way to empty input cells.

• Clear a sheet

  Ctrl + A, Delete → The sheet is emptied of content

  Formats remain, so the sheet can be reused.

• Compare with Delete cells

  Right-click, Delete instead → The cells themselves are removed and neighbors shift

  Different from the Delete key.

• Home, Clear, Clear All removes formats too.
• Ctrl + - removes the cells and shifts others.
• Backspace clears only the active cell and enters edit mode.

• Deleting a cell that formulas depend on gives 0, not #REF!; Ctrl + - gives #REF!.
• Conditional formats and validation survive Delete.