Have you ever wondered how to remove formulas in Excel easily and efficiently without losing your data? Here are 10 easy ways to achieve that.
1. Use Paste Special Feature
Paste Special is one of the best features in Excel that you can use to remove the formulas. You can do this by selecting the cells in which you want to replace the formulas with their values. Then, right-click and select “Paste Special.” In the dialogue box that appears, select “Values” and click OK. You will notice that the formulas have been replaced with their values, and you can now delete the original cells containing formulas.
Using Paste Special is an easy way to replace formulas with their values, and it is a good alternative to manually delete the cells containing formulas.
2. Use Copy and Paste as Values Feature
Another easy way to remove formulas in Excel is by using the Copy and Paste as Values feature. This feature allows you to copy the formulas’ results and paste them as values only. It does not require you to use the Paste Special feature.
To use this feature, select the cells that contain the formulas you want to replace with values. Then, copy the cells by pressing Ctrl+C or right-clicking and selecting “Copy.” Next, right-click on the destination cells and select “Paste Special.” In the Paste Special dialogue box, select “Values” and click OK.
The Copy and Paste as Values feature is a convenient way to replace formulas with their results without losing your data.
3. Use a Formula to Replace Formulas with Values
You can also use a formula to replace formulas with their values. This method is useful when you have a large dataset with formulas. You can create a new column that contains the formula “=VALUE(cell containing the formula),” and then copy and paste the results to replace the original formulas. This method works well because it replaces the formula with its result without losing the formatting and other data in the cell.
4. Use the Fill Function
The Fill function is another Excel feature that can help you remove formulas in your worksheets. To use this feature, click on the cell containing your formula and hover over the bottom-right corner of the cell until you see a plus sign.
Click and drag the plus sign to the end of your data set, and release the mouse button. Excel will fill the entire column with the formula’s results, effectively converting the formulas into values.
5. Use “Find and Replace” Feature
You can use the “Find and Replace” feature to replace formulas with values in Excel. Click on the “Find and Replace” button (Ctrl+H), then type in the formula you want to replace in the “Find what” field. In the “Replace with” field, type in the value you want to replace the formula. Then, click the “Replace All” button to replace all instances of the formula in your worksheet with the desired value.
6. Use the IFERROR Function
The IFERROR function is an excellent Excel feature that can help you replace formulas with values. To use this feature, replace your original formula with the IFERROR function with the formula inside it as the first argument and an alternative value to replace the error with as the second argument. This will replace the formula with the result if there is no error and with the alternative value if there is an error.
7. Use a Macro
If you are familiar with Macros, you can write a macro that replaces formulas with values in your worksheet. To do this, record a macro that copies and pastes the data as values only. You can then run the macro and apply it to your dataset to replace the formulas.
8. Use a Special Function
If none of the methods above work for you, you can use a special function like VALUE or EVALUATE in Excel. These functions are designed to replace formulas with values and are useful when you have a large dataset.
9. Use a Third-Party Add-in
There are many third-party add-ins available that you can use to replace formulas with values in Excel. These add-ins are designed to make your life easier, and they have many useful features that are not included in Excel.
10. Use VBA
If you are proficient in Excel’s VBA language, you can write a custom script that replaces formulas with values in your worksheet. This method is ideal if you have a lot of data that needs to be converted, and it can save you a lot of time in the long run.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I remove formulas without losing my data?
A: Yes, you can remove formulas in Excel without losing your data. You can use the “Paste Special” feature, “Copy and Paste as Values” feature, a formula, “Fill” function, “Find and Replace” feature, “IFERROR” function, a macro, a special function, or VBA.
Q: When should I use the “Paste Special” feature to remove formulas?
A: You should use the “Paste Special” feature when you want to replace formulas with values, but you also want to keep the formatting and other data in the cell.
Video Tutorial: How to Copy and Paste in Excel without Changing Formatting and Formulas
In conclusion, removing formulas in Excel is essential when you want to keep your data but no longer need the formulas. You can use various Excel features like “Paste Special,” “Copy and Paste as Values,” formulas, “Fill” function, “Find and Replace,” “IFERROR” function, macros, special functions, or VBA to achieve that. With these methods, you can keep your data and get rid of the formulas with ease.
