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How to delete empty columns with header in Excel?

Author Xiaoyang Last modified

If you have a large worksheet which contains multiple columns, but some of the columns only contain a header, and now, you want to delete these empty columns which contain only a header to get the following screenshot shown. Is this can be solved in Excel quickly and easily?

A screenshot of an Excel worksheet showing columns with headers and some empty columns

Delete empty columns with a header by using VBA code

Delete multiple empty columns in a range / worksheet / workbook with Kutools for Excel


arrow blue right bubble Delete empty columns with a header by using VBA code

In Excel, there is no direct method to deal with this job excepting delete them one by one manually, but, here, I can introduce a code for you, please do as follows:

1. Hold down the ALT + F11 keys, then it opens the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications window.

2. Click Insert > Module, and paste the following code in the Module Window.

VBA code: Delete empty columns with a header:

Sub Macro1()
'updateby Extendoffice
    Dim xEndCol As Long
    Dim I As Long
    Dim xDel As Boolean
    On Error Resume Next
    xEndCol = Cells.Find("*", SearchOrder:=xlByColumns, SearchDirection:=xlPrevious).Column
    If xEndCol = 0 Then
        MsgBox "There is no data on """ & ActiveSheet.Name & """ .", vbExclamation, "Kutools for Excel"
        Exit Sub
    End If
    Application.ScreenUpdating = False
    For I = xEndCol To 1 Step -1
        If Application.WorksheetFunction.CountA(Columns(I)) <= 1 Then
            Columns(I).Delete
            xDel = True
        End If
    Next
    If xDel Then
        MsgBox "All blank columns with only headers are deleted.", vbInformation, "Kutools for Excel"
    Else
        MsgBox "There are no Columns to delete as each one has more data (rows) than just a header.", vbExclamation, "Kutools for Excel"
    End If
    Application.ScreenUpdating = True
End Sub

3. Then press F5 key to run this code, and a prompt box will pop out to remind you the blank columns with header will be deleted.

4. Click OK, all the blank columns with only headers in current worksheet are deleted at once.

Note: If there are blank columns, they will be deleted as well.


arrow blue right bubble Delete multiple empty columns in a range / worksheet / workbook with Kutools for Excel

Sometimes, you just only need to delete the blank columns, the Kutools for Excel’s Delete Hidden (Visible) Rows & Columns utility can help you to finish this task with ease.

Kutools for Excel offers over 300 advanced features to streamline complex tasks, boosting creativity and efficiency. Itegarate with AI capabilities, Kutools automates tasks with precision, making data management effortless. Detailed information of Kutools for Excel...         Free trial...

After installing Kutools for Excel, please do as follows:

1. Select the columns range which include the blank columns need to be deleted.

2. Then click Kutools > Delete > Delete Hidden (Visible) Rows & Columns, see screenshot:

A screenshot of the Delete Hidden (Visible) Rows & Columns option in Kutools tab on the ribbon

3. In the Delete Hidden (Visible) Rows & Columns dialog box, you can select the delete scope from the Look in drop down as you need, select Columns from the Delete type section, and then choose Blank columns from the Detailed type section, see screenshot:

A screenshot of the Delete Hidden (Visible) Rows & Columns dialog

4. Then click Ok button, and only the empty columns are deleted at once. See screenshot:

A screenshot showing empty columns deleted in Excel

Tips: With this powerful feature, you can also delete blank rows, visible columns or row, hidden columns or rows as you need.

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