Skip to main content

Delete Row

Deletes a row from an Excel file

Common Properties​

  • Name - The custom name of the node
  • Color - The custom color of the node
  • Delay Before (sec) - Waits in seconds before executing the node
  • Delay After (sec) - Waits in seconds after executing node
  • Continue On Error - Automation will continue regardless of any error. The default value is false
info

If the ContinueOnError property is true, no error is caught when the project is executed even if a Catch node is used.

Input​

  • Excel File Descriptor - Descriptor of the Excel file to delete row(s) from. This ID is generated by the Open Excel or the Create Excel node.
  • Row Number - The row number(s) to delete. (e.g. 5 or 9)

Options​

  • Target - Select where to delete row(s)
    • Active Row - Deletes the current active row
    • Specific Row - Deletes a row by specifying the row number
    • First Row - Deletes the first row in the sheet
    • Last Row - Deletes the last row in the sheet

How It Works​

  1. Validates Input: Checks that file descriptor and target option are provided
  2. Verifies Target: Ensures a valid target option is selected
  3. Checks Row Input: If specific-row is selected, validates that a row number is provided
  4. Retrieves Handle: Gets the Excel file handle from the descriptor
  5. Determines Row: Based on target option, identifies which row to delete:
    • Active Row: Uses the row number from the active cell
    • Specific Row: Uses the provided row number
    • First Row: Uses row 1
    • Last Row: Counts all rows to find the last one
  6. Removes Row: Deletes the entire row and shifts remaining rows upward
  7. Preserves Data: All rows below the deleted row shift up by one position

Requirements​

  • The Excel file must be opened with Open Excel or created with Create Excel
  • A valid file descriptor must be provided
  • When using specific-row target, a valid row number must be provided (must be greater than 0)
  • When using active-row target, an active cell must be set
  • The file must be saved after deletion to persist changes

Error Handling​

Error CodeDescriptionSolution
Core.Excel.DeleteRow.ErrOnCreateConfiguration parsing failedCheck node configuration is valid
Core.Excel.DeleteRow.ErrOnMessageMessage parsing failedVerify input message format
Core.Excel.DeleteRow.ErrTargetTarget option is empty or invalidSelect a valid target option
Core.Excel.DeleteRow.ErrCellRow number is empty for specific-rowProvide valid row number when using specific-row
Core.Excel.DeleteRow.ErrFileDescriptorFile descriptor is empty or file not foundEnsure file is opened/created before deleting row
Core.Excel.DeleteRow.ErrRowNo active row or deletion failedSet active cell before using active-row, or check row exists

Usage Examples​

Example 1: Delete Specific Row​

Remove a specific row by number:

- Open Excel (data.xlsx) -> fileDesc
- Delete Row:
  - Excel File Descriptor: fileDesc
  - Row Number: 5
  - Target: specific-row
- Save Excel (fileDesc)
- Close Excel (fileDesc)

Example 2: Delete Header Row​

Remove the first row from a sheet:

- Open Excel (report.xlsx) -> fileDesc
- Delete Row:
  - Excel File Descriptor: fileDesc
  - Target: first-row
- Save Excel (fileDesc)
- Close Excel (fileDesc)

Example 3: Delete Last Row​

Remove the last row from a sheet:

- Open Excel (sales.xlsx) -> fileDesc
- Delete Row:
  - Excel File Descriptor: fileDesc
  - Target: last-row
- Save Excel (fileDesc)
- Close Excel (fileDesc)

Example 4: Delete Active Row​

Remove the row containing the active cell:

- Open Excel (inventory.xlsx) -> fileDesc
- Set Active Cell (fileDesc, "A10")
- Delete Row:
  - Excel File Descriptor: fileDesc
  - Target: active-row
- Save Excel (fileDesc)
- Close Excel (fileDesc)

Example 5: Delete Multiple Rows​

Remove several rows (delete from bottom to top):

- Open Excel (data.xlsx) -> fileDesc
- Delete Row (fileDesc, 10, specific-row)
- Delete Row (fileDesc, 9, specific-row)
- Delete Row (fileDesc, 8, specific-row)
- Save Excel (fileDesc)
- Close Excel (fileDesc)

Usage Notes​

  • Deleting a row removes the entire row and all its data from the sheet
  • Rows below the deleted row automatically shift upward
  • Row numbers in formulas are NOT automatically updated
  • When deleting multiple rows, work from bottom to top to avoid shifting issues
  • The active-row target uses the row number from the currently active cell
  • Row numbers start from 1 (not 0)
  • Deleting the last row requires iterating through all rows to count them
  • There is no undo operation - deletion is permanent once saved
  • Remember to save the file to persist the changes

Tips​

  • Always backup important data before deleting rows
  • When deleting multiple rows, delete from bottom to top (highest to lowest row numbers)
  • Use Get Row to backup row data before deletion if needed
  • Be aware that formulas referencing deleted rows will show #REF! errors
  • Consider hiding rows instead of deleting if you might need the data later
  • Verify row number before deletion to avoid removing wrong data
  • For conditional deletion, use Get Cell Value to check row content first
  • Test on a copy of the file first when automating row deletions
  • Use first-row target to remove headers quickly
  • Use last-row target to remove totals or summary rows