Excel document not allowing rows to be deleted

The message indicates that the rows to be deleted intersect with an Excel table, and deleting them in the usual way would shift cells in that table. The rows must be deleted from within the table structure instead of as normal worksheet rows.

Use one of these approaches:

1. Delete rows from inside the table
   1. Click any cell in the table (where the references are listed).
   2. Select the entire row(s) of the table that correspond to the references to remove (for example, by selecting the row number(s) on the left while the active cell is in the table).
   3. On the ribbon, use the table tools to delete:
      • Right‑click the selected row(s) and choose Delete > Table Rows, or
      • Use the Table Design (or Table Tools > Design) tab and choose Delete > Delete Table Rows.
   4. The table will resize and the rows will be removed without causing the error.
2. Resize the table, then delete worksheet rows If some rows are outside the table but blocked by it:
   1. Select any cell in the table.
   2. Use Table Design > Resize Table.
   3. Adjust the range so the table no longer includes the rows you want to delete (for example, move the bottom edge up so the table ends above those rows), then select OK.
   4. Now select the worksheet row(s) you want to delete and press CTRL + - or right‑click and choose Delete.
3. Remove the table (if a table is not needed) If the structured table features are not required:
   1. Click any cell in the table.
   2. On Table Design, choose Convert to range.
   3. Confirm the conversion.
   4. After conversion, delete rows normally.

If there are blank rows inside the table that need to be removed, they can also be filtered and deleted using the table’s filter dropdown and CTRL + -, as described in the table-resizing guidance.

References:

• Resize a table by adding or removing rows and columns in Excel
• Use a screen reader to insert a table in an Excel worksheet