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How to Remove Formula in Excel but Keep Data?

If you have ever worked in Excel, you know that formulas are a great tool to help you quickly calculate data. However, there may come a time when you need to remove the formula from a spreadsheet but keep the data intact. Removing a formula can be tricky, but with the right steps and a bit of patience, you can easily do it. In this article, we will discuss how to remove a formula in Excel but keep the data so that you can work with your spreadsheet without worrying about the formulas.

How to Remove Formulas from Excel but Keep Data

Removing formulas from Excel but keeping data can be a useful way to keep your spreadsheet clean and organized. Whether you are sharing the spreadsheet with someone else or just need to remove the formulas from the cells, there are a few easy steps to follow. In this article, we’ll explain how to remove formulas from Excel but keep data.

Copy and Paste Values

One of the simplest ways to remove formulas from Excel but keep data is to copy and paste the values. To do this, select the cells containing formulas and then copy them. Next, click the Paste icon, located in the Clipboard group on the Home tab. Select the Paste Values option. This will paste the data without the formulas, leaving only the values behind.

Clear Formats

Another option to remove formulas from Excel but keep the data is to clear the formats. To do this, select the cells containing the formulas. Go to the Home tab and click the Clear icon in the Editing group. Select the Clear Formats option. This will remove any formatting applied to the cells, including the formulas.

Inserting a Table

If you need to keep the formulas from being visible, you can insert a table into your Excel sheet. To do this, select the cells containing the formulas. Go to the Insert tab and select Table. This will create a table with the same data as your original cells, but without the formulas.

Using Find and Replace

Another option to remove formulas from Excel but keep the data is to use the Find and Replace feature. To do this, go to the Home tab and click the Find and Select icon. Select the Replace option. In the Find what box, type in the formula that you want to remove. Leave the Replace with box empty. This will remove all instances of the formula from the cells, leaving only the data behind.

Using a Macro

Finally, you can use a macro to remove formulas from Excel but keep the data. To do this, go to the View tab and select Macros. Enter a name for the macro and click the Create button. In the Visual Basic Editor, enter the following code:

Sub RemoveFormulas()

Dim xCell As Range
For Each xCell In Selection
xCell.Value = xCell.Value
Next xCell

End Sub

This code will loop through all of the selected cells and remove the formulas, leaving the data behind.

Using a Script

Finally, you can use a script to remove formulas from Excel but keep the data. To do this, go to the Insert tab and select Script. Enter a name for the script and click the Create button. In the Script Editor, enter the following code:

function removeFormulas() {

var spreadsheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActive();
var range = spreadsheet.getActiveRange();
for (var i = 0; i Using a Formula

Finally, you can use a formula to remove formulas from Excel but keep the data. To do this, select the cells containing the formulas. Go to the Formulas tab and click the Insert Function icon. Select the IF function. This will allow you to create a formula that will check if a cell contains a formula. If it does, the formula will return the value, otherwise it will return an empty value. To use this formula, enter the following:

=IF(ISTEXT(A1),A1,””)

This formula will check if cell A1 contains text. If it does, it will return the value of A1, otherwise it will return an empty string. This formula can then be copied and pasted across the cells containing formulas, removing them and leaving only the data.

Top 6 Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Formula in Excel?

A formula in Excel is a type of instruction that performs a calculation or other action on data. It typically starts with an equals sign, followed by a function name, arguments, and operators. Formulas can be used to perform a variety of calculations and operations, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and more.

What is the Difference Between a Formula and Data in Excel?

The main difference between a formula and data in Excel is that formulas are instructions for performing calculations on data, while data is the raw information that is being manipulated. Formulas are used to calculate results from data stored in a spreadsheet, while data is the information that is inputted into the spreadsheet itself.

How to Remove a Formula in Excel but Keep Data?

To remove a formula in Excel but keep data, select the cells that contain the formulas, copy them, then paste the values of the cells as values. This will keep the original data but replace the formulas with their results. Alternatively, you can use the Find & Replace feature to replace the formulas with their results.

What Are the Benefits of Removing a Formula in Excel but Keeping Data?

One of the main benefits of removing a formula in Excel but keeping data is that it allows you to keep the original data intact while still performing calculations on the data. This is particularly useful when you need to perform calculations on the same data multiple times, as the formula will only need to be entered once. Additionally, it can help to reduce errors in calculations, as the formula will always be applied accurately.

Are There Any Drawbacks of Removing Formulas in Excel?

Yes, there are a few drawbacks of removing formulas in Excel. Firstly, it can be time-consuming to manually copy and paste values into the cells with formulas, especially if the spreadsheet is large. Additionally, if the formula is changed or updated, you will need to manually update the values in the cells with the formulas. Lastly, if you want to use the same formula multiple times, you will need to re-enter it each time.

What Are Some Tips for Removing Formulas in Excel but Keeping Data?

Some tips for removing formulas in Excel but keeping data include using the Find & Replace feature to replace the formulas with their results, using the paste special option to paste the values of the cells, and using shortcut keys to quickly copy and paste values. Additionally, it can be helpful to double-check the results of the calculations after removing the formulas in order to ensure accuracy.

In conclusion, removing a formula in Excel is a simple yet important task that can help you better manage your data. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can quickly and easily remove the formula but keep the data. This can help you ensure that your spreadsheets are always accurate and up to date.