Tables are a useful way to organize and present data in Google Docs. However, there may come a time when you need to remove a table that is no longer necessary or relevant. Deleting a table in Google Docs is easy – here is a quick guide on how to do it.
Identify the Table You Want to Delete
First, you need to locate the specific table you want to remove. There are a couple ways to do this:
- Scroll through the document to visually identify the table.
- Use the Find tool (Ctrl/Command + F on your keyboard) to search for keywords found in the table text. This will jump you right to the table location.
Once you have identified the table, place your cursor somewhere within the table so you are ready for the next step.
Access the Table Delete Functions
With your cursor inside the table you want to delete, there are a couple ways to access the table delete options:
Method 1: Right-click
- On a PC: Right-click anywhere within the table and select “Delete table” from the pop-up menu.
- On a Mac: Control + click anywhere within the table and choose “Delete table”.
- On mobile: Long press inside the table and tap “Delete table”.
Method 2: Go Through Menus
- On desktop: Click Format > Table > Delete table
- On mobile: Tap the 3-dot menu > Delete table
And that’s it! The table will immediately disappear from your document.
Delete Table Rows or Columns
You can also use the right-click or menu delete functions to remove only certain rows or columns from a table while keeping the rest intact.
To do this:
- Place your cursor inside the row or column you want to delete
- Access the right-click or menu options
- Select “Delete row” or “Delete column”
The specified row or column will be removed while the rest of the table remains.
Undo Table Deletions
Accidentally deleted something? No problem – you can undo any deletions in Google Docs.
- On desktop: Ctrl/Command + Z
- On mobile: Tap the arrow icon at the top left
You’ll have to act quickly to rescue that table though – Google Docs only allows you to undo the last action!
Tips When Deleting Tables
Here are some additional pointers when removing tables in Google Docs:
- Deleting an entire table will also delete all content inside the table cells. Make sure to copy out any important text or data before removing.
- You can delete the borders/gridlines of a table but keep all the content by clearing the border color in Table Properties.
- On mobile devices, you may need to first tap a table cell to select the table before the delete option appears.
- If you have trouble finding the table delete options, make sure your cursor is placed inside the table first.
Conclusion
Deleting unnecessary tables keeps your Google Docs organized and clutter-free. Just identify the table, access the delete functions with a right-click or through the menus, and the table will disappear right away.
With this simple, step-by-step guide, you can now easily remove tables and table elements in Google Docs.
