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VBA · Ranges
Clear methods
ClearContents removes values, ClearFormats removes formatting, Clear removes both.
Very commonDifficulty 950 · Capable
When to use it
ClearContents removes values and formulas, ClearFormats removes formatting, Clear removes both, and Delete removes the cells themselves.
The code
- Code
Range("A2:Z1000").ClearContents
Worked examples
Clear contents
Range("A2:Z1000").ClearContents → Values gone, formats kept
Reset input areas.
Clear formats
Range("A1").CurrentRegion.ClearFormats → Formatting stripped
Clean a pasted block.
Delete
Rows(5).Delete → Row 5 removed, rows below shift up
Different from clearing.
Worth knowing
- ClearContents is the safe default for resetting a template.
- ClearComments, ClearHyperlinks, and ClearOutline exist too.
- Cells.Clear resets a whole sheet.
Where it goes wrong
- Clear on a huge range with formats is slow.
- Delete shifts other data and breaks references; ClearContents does not.
Related
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