To delete a table row in Google Docs, right-click any cell in the row and choose Delete row. The row disappears and the rows below move up. To delete several rows at once, drag to select cells in each row you want to remove, then right-click and choose Delete rows.
Here’s how to delete rows on a computer and phone, remove columns or the whole table, and fix a row that won’t delete.
How to delete a row in a Google Docs table
- Click any cell in the row you want to delete.
- Right-click (or Ctrl-click on a Mac).
- Choose Delete row.
Pressing Delete or Backspace only clears the text in the cells. It doesn’t remove the row.
How to delete multiple rows
- Click in a cell in the first row and drag down to a cell in the last row you want to delete.
- Right-click the selection.
- Choose Delete rows.
How to delete a row in the Google Docs app
- Open the document and tap the Edit (pencil) icon.
- Tap a cell in the row.
- Tap the Format icon (A with lines) at the top, then choose Table.
- Tap Delete row.
On some versions, touch and hold the cell to see table options instead.
Other table deletion options
| To remove | Right-click and choose |
|---|---|
| A row | Delete row |
| A column | Delete column |
| The whole table | Delete table |
| Just the text in cells | Select cells and press Delete |
Row won’t delete? Try this
- Check your access. In View or Comment mode, you can’t edit tables. Switch to Editing at the top right, or ask for edit access.
- Look for merged cells. A cell merged across rows can block deleting a single row. Right-click it and choose Unmerge cells first.
- Empty space after a table isn’t a row. Click below the table and press Backspace to remove extra lines.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a keyboard shortcut to delete a table row?
Not by default. Use right-click, or press Alt + / (Option + / on Mac), type “delete row,” and press Enter.
Can I undo deleting a row?
Yes. Press Ctrl + Z (Command + Z on a Mac) right away.
How do I add a row back?
Right-click a cell and choose Insert row above or Insert row below. Pressing Tab in the last cell also adds a new row.
How do I delete a row in Google Sheets?
Right-click the row number on the left and choose Delete row.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.