---
title: "Clear the cell contents: Delete in Excel (Mac Delete) | PracticeExcel"
description: "Clear the cell contents in Excel with Delete on Windows or Delete on Mac. Practice it in a live grid."
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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://practiceexcelonline.com/llms.txt)

# **Clear the cell contents**

<dl><dt>**Windows**</dt>
<dd>`Delete`</dd>
<dt>**Mac**</dt>
<dd>`Delete`</dd>
</dl>

Delete

Clears the contents of the selected cells but keeps their formatting and notes. To remove the formatting too, use Clear All on the Home tab. Backspace on Windows works differently: it clears only the active cell and opens it for editing.

## **More Edit shortcuts**

- [**Add or edit a note**`Shift+F2`](https://practiceexcelonline.com/shortcuts/add-note)
- [**Cancel the entry**`Esc`](https://practiceexcelonline.com/shortcuts/cancel-entry)
- [**Open the right-click menu**`Shift+F10`](https://practiceexcelonline.com/shortcuts/context-menu)
- [**Copy**`Ctrl+C`](https://practiceexcelonline.com/shortcuts/copy)
- [**Cut**`Ctrl+X`](https://practiceexcelonline.com/shortcuts/cut)
- [**Delete the selected rows or cells**`Ctrl+-`](https://practiceexcelonline.com/shortcuts/delete-row)
- [**Edit the active cell**`F2`](https://practiceexcelonline.com/shortcuts/edit-cell)
- [**Fill down**`Ctrl+D`](https://practiceexcelonline.com/shortcuts/fill-down)
- [**Fill right**`Ctrl+R`](https://practiceexcelonline.com/shortcuts/fill-right)
- [**Enter the same value in every selected cell**`Ctrl+Enter`](https://practiceexcelonline.com/shortcuts/fill-selection)
- [**Insert a chart on the sheet**`Alt+F1`](https://practiceexcelonline.com/shortcuts/insert-chart)
- [**Start a new line in a cell**`Alt+Enter`](https://practiceexcelonline.com/shortcuts/new-line-in-cell)
- [**Open a dropdown list**`Alt+Down`](https://practiceexcelonline.com/shortcuts/open-dropdown)
- [**Paste**`Ctrl+V`](https://practiceexcelonline.com/shortcuts/paste)
- [**Paste Special**`Ctrl+Alt+V`](https://practiceexcelonline.com/shortcuts/paste-special)
- [**Redo**`Ctrl+Y`](https://practiceexcelonline.com/shortcuts/redo)
- [**Repeat the last action**`F4`](https://practiceexcelonline.com/shortcuts/repeat-action)
- [**Check spelling**`F7`](https://practiceexcelonline.com/shortcuts/spell-check)
- [**Turn filters on or off**`Ctrl+Shift+L`](https://practiceexcelonline.com/shortcuts/toggle-filter)
- [**Undo**`Ctrl+Z`](https://practiceexcelonline.com/shortcuts/undo)

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