In this tutorial, we’ll look at how to fix the problem when the delete sheet not working in Excel. While working with a workbook that consists of multiple worksheets, suddenly we might need to delete any particular worksheet. However, the option to delete any sheet does not always function. Sometimes we have to take a few steps to enable the delete sheet option. Throughout this article, we will demonstrate two solutions to this problem with a unique dataset.
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You can download the practice workbook from here.
2 Solutions to Fix Delete Sheet Not Working in Excel
To fix the problem of deleting sheets not working in excel, we will look into two solutions. The most probable reason behind the delete sheet not working in excel might be the workbook that you are using is protected with a password or shared with other users. In the following sections, we will go through the solutions to both problems respectively.
1. Unprotect Workbook Structure While Delete Sheet in Excel Not Working
First and foremost, if the delete sheet in excel is not working we will check whether our workbook is protected or not. If the workbook is protected, then we have to unprotect the workbook structure to enable the delete sheet option in excel. To illustrate this method, we have the following dataset with multiple worksheets in which the workbook is protected.
Here, if we right-click on the worksheet named “MARKS” we will notice that the option “Delete” is grayed out which means this option is not functioning.
So, let’s look at the steps to solve this problem.
STEPS:
- First, go to the File tab.
- Next, select the option Info.
- Then select the option “Protect Workbook”.
- Click on the drop-down icon. Select the option “Protect Workbook Structure” from the available options.
- In short: File > Info > Protect Workbook > Protect Workbook Structure
- A new dialogue box named “Unprotect Workbook” will appear.
- Insert the password in the input box.
- Click on OK.
NOTE:
You must need to know the password of a protected workbook to unprotect that workbook. Use password 1234 If you are working with the practice workbook that we have added to this article.
- Finally, if we right-click on the “ MARKS “ sheet again, we will see that the option “Delete” is now available. So, now we can delete any worksheet from the workbook.
Read More: How to Delete a Sheet in Excel (5 Ways)
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- How to Delete Extra Pages in Excel (4 Methods)
- Excel VBA: Delete Files with Wildcards (4 Methods)
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- Excel VBA: Delete Sheet If It Contains Name (4 Ways)
2. Turn off Sharing Worksheet When Delete Sheet Not Working in Excel
Another reason why the delete sheet in excel isn’t working is that the worksheet you’re using is shared. So, to delete any sheet from any shared workbook you need to unshare the workbook first. To illustrate this solution, we will use the following dataset with multiple worksheets.
When we right-click on the worksheet “Turn Off Sharing” we can see the grey color in the option “Delete”, indicating that it is not active.
The process of sharing a workbook is a little bit complex. So, for convenience to understand this solution better, first we will show how to share a workbook then we will show how to unshare that workbook to enable the delete sheet option.
So, let’s see the steps to perform this method.
STEPS:
- Firstly, go to the File tab.
- Secondly, click on Options.
- Thirdly, a new dialogue box will open. Select the option “Customize Ribbon”. Click on the drop-down icon of the option “Choose commands from”. Select the option “All Commands” from the available options.
- Next, scroll down the option and select the option “Share Workbook (Legacy)”. Also, click on the option New Tab.
- Then a new tab “New Tab (Custom)” will appear in the ribbon options.
- Select “New Tab (Custom)” and click on Rename.
- The above command will open a dialogue box named “Rename”.
- Insert the name of the tab “Sharing” in the input box “Display name”.
- Now, click on OK.
- Similarly, rename the option “New_Group (custom)” to “Sharing Workbook” and click on Add.
- Now we can see a new option “Share Workbook (Custom)” in the ribbon options.
- Then, press OK.
- After the above actions, we can see that a new tab named Sharing is visible now.
- Now to share the workbook go to the Sharing tab and select the option “Share Workbook (Legacy)”.
- A new dialogue box will appear. Check the option shown in the image below and press OK.
- So the above command shares our workbook with other users. If we right-click on the sheet “Turn Off Sharing” we will see that the option Delete is grayed out which means we can not delete any sheet from a shared workbook.
- After that, we need to unshare this workbook to solve this problem.
- So, to do this go to the Review Select the option “Unshare Workbook” from the Protect section of the Review tab.
- Lastly, right-click on the sheet “Turn Off Sharing” Now we can see that the option Delete is available again.
Related Content: Shortcut to Delete Sheet in Excel (5 Quick Examples)
Conclusion
In conclusion, this tutorial demonstrates two solutions to fix the problem of deleting a sheet in excel not working. To put your skills to the test, download the practice worksheet included in this article. Leave a comment in the box below if you have any questions. Our team will try to reply to your message as quickly as possible. In the future, keep your eyes peeled for more innovative Microsoft Excel solutions.
The data is NOT shared.
Right-clicking the tab shows the “Delete” option – it is NOT greyed out.
Clicking “Delete” does not do anything. The sheet remains in the workbook.
Hello DAVID,
Thank you for reaching out with your comment. You encountered a different problem than what was described in the article. There could be several reasons why the problem is happening. Some of your add-ins may mess up the delete sheet feature, which may not work in your version of Microsoft Excel. To fix this, you should update your program.
You can use an Excel VBA code to delete a sheet by inputting the sheet name.
Excel VBA Code:
The VBA code and suggestions will solve your issue. Good luck.
Regards,
Lutfor Rahman Shimanto