How to Delete All Rows with Specific Text in Google Sheets (Manual + Script)

🗑️ How to Delete All Rows Containing Specific Text in a Column in Google Sheets

When working with large datasets, you may need to delete all rows where a certain word or value appears in a specific column — like removing all rows where column B says "Cancelled".

You can do this manually, with filters, or use Google Apps Script to automate it.

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✅ Method 1: Use Filter to Delete Rows Containing Specific Text (Manual)

Steps:

1. Select your data range.
2. Go to Data > Create a filter.
3. Click the filter icon in the target column (e.g., Column B).
4. Uncheck all and select only the value you want to delete (e.g., "Cancelled").
5. Select the filtered rows by clicking the row numbers.
6. Right-click > Delete selected rows.
7. Turn off the filter.

✅ Best for: Small to medium datasets.

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✅ Method 2: Use Google Apps Script (Automatic & Reusable)

If you want a repeatable way to delete rows based on a value, use this simple script.

🔧 Script to Delete Rows Containing Specific Text:

1. Click Extensions > Apps Script.
2. Paste this code:

javascriptCopyEditfunction deleteRowsWithText() {
  const sheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet().getActiveSheet();
  const columnToCheck = 2; // Column B (use 1 for A, 2 for B, etc.)
  const textToDelete = "Cancelled";
  const data = sheet.getDataRange().getValues();
  
  for (let i = data.length - 1; i >= 0; i--) {
    if (data[i][columnToCheck - 1] === textToDelete) {
      sheet.deleteRow(i + 1);
    }
  }
}

3. Save and click ▶️ Run.

✅ Customizable: Change columnToCheck and textToDelete as needed.

✅ Why loop backward? It prevents row shifting issues while deleting.

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