Table formatting is an essential feature in both Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets that allows users to organize and present data in a structured and visually appealing way. However, there may be instances where you need to remove the table formatting and start fresh. In this article, we will guide you through the process of removing table formatting in both Excel and Google Sheets.
1. Understanding Table Formatting
Table formatting is a powerful tool that enhances the readability and usability of data in Excel and Google Sheets. It allows you to apply various styles, colors, and functionalities to your tables, making them more visually appealing and easier to analyze. Some of the benefits of table formatting include:
- Improved organization and structure of data
- Easy sorting and filtering of data
- Automatic updates for PivotCharts and PivotTables
- Enhanced data visualization
However, there may be situations where you want to remove table formatting and revert to the default style or start from scratch. Let’s explore how you can do that in both Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets.
2. Removing Table Formatting in Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Excel provides several methods to remove table formatting. Let’s look at two primary methods:
Method 1: Clearing Table Formatting
To clear the formatting of your Excel table and revert it to the default style, follow these steps:
- Click on a cell within your formatted table.
- Select the “Table Design” tab that appears on the ribbon.
- In the “Table Styles” section, expand the options by clicking on the More arrow.
- Choose the “Clear” button located at the bottom of the menu.
Alternatively, you can select “None” under the Light themes, which eliminates the formatting colors on your table. However, other styles you’ve manually added, such as text alignment and custom font size, will remain unchanged.
Method 2: Clearing Table Style and Applied Styles
If you want to clear the table style along with any manually applied styles, follow these steps:
- Highlight your entire table.
- Navigate to the “Editing” section on the Home tab.
- Click on “Clear”.
- Select “Clear Formats” from the drop-down menu.
Regardless of which method you choose, your data will still function as a table. That means table functionalities and elements like filter arrows in the headers will be retained. If you want to remove these as well, you need to convert your table back to a range. Here’s how:
- Click on a cell inside your table.
- Go to the “Table Design” tab.
- In the “Tools” section, choose “Convert to Range”.
- Select “Yes” in the pop-up notification to confirm the conversion.
By following these steps, your data will be devoid of formatting and all the functionalities associated with a table.
3. Removing Table Formatting in Google Sheets
Google Sheets offers a slightly different approach to removing table formatting. Let’s explore the methods:
Clearing Formatting Styles
In Google Sheets, table formatting is applied individually to each cell and is not based on predefined table styles like in Excel. To remove the formatting styles, follow these steps:
- Highlight the entire table.
- Press “Ctrl + C” to copy it.
- Choose where you want to paste your new table and right-click on any empty cell in that space.
- In the drop-down menu, go to “Paste special” > “Values only”.
This will produce a non-formatted version of your table. You can then delete the original table.
Clearing Additional Functionalities
If you have added additional functionalities like filters to your Google Sheets table, you’ll need to remove them separately. To clear a filter, follow these steps:
- Navigate to the “Data” tab.
- Click on “Remove filter”.
By following these steps, you can remove the formatting styles and additional functionalities from your Google Sheets table.
4. Tips for Working with Unformatted Data
Once you have removed the table formatting, you might need to make some adjustments or apply new formatting to your unformatted data. Here are a few tips to help you work with unformatted data effectively:
- Use conditional formatting to highlight specific data points or apply color scales.
- Apply number formatting to ensure consistent display of numeric values.
- Utilize cell styles to quickly format cells with a predefined set of formatting options.
- Insert tables or use features like Freeze Panes to enhance data organization and navigation.
Experiment with different formatting options and features to make your data more visually appealing and easier to interpret.
5. Conclusion
Removing table formatting in Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets is a straightforward process that allows you to start fresh or revert to the default styles. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can remove table formatting and work with unformatted data more effectively. Remember to explore the various formatting options available to enhance the readability and usability of your data.