Google Sheets Added 50,000 Extra Rows: How to Delete Them Easily

Google Sheets is one of the most widely used spreadsheet tools for personal and professional use. It’s simple, efficient, and allows users to collaborate in real-time. However, one frustrating issue many users face is when Google Sheets unexpectedly adds extra rows—often 50,000 or more. These extra rows can clutter your spreadsheet, slow down performance, and make it hard to manage data effectively.

If you’ve encountered this problem, you’re not alone. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to delete 50,000 extra rows in Google Sheets, quickly and efficiently. Let’s dive into how to clean up your spreadsheet and restore it to its original state.

Why Does Google Sheets Add 50,000 Extra Rows?

Before we get into how to delete them, let’s briefly understand why Google Sheets adds extra rows. Usually, the tool adds rows when:

Exceeding the active row limit: Google Sheets can automatically extend the row count beyond the initial number when data is entered in any part of the sheet.
Google Sheets settings: Sometimes, when new rows are added to your sheet (either manually or through scripts), they can remain hidden or empty, leading to unwanted rows.
Unintentional data entry: Sometimes, you may accidentally select a larger range, causing Google Sheets to add rows unintentionally.

Regardless of the reason, you may want to remove the extra rows to keep your Google Sheet clean.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Delete 50,000 Extra Rows in Google Sheets

Deleting 50,000 extra rows in Google Sheets can seem daunting, but it’s actually quite simple once you know the right steps. Follow this guide to remove unnecessary rows quickly.

Step 1: Identify the Extra Rows

To begin, you need to locate the extra rows added in your Google Sheet. If you scroll to the bottom of your sheet and see a large number of blank rows, it’s likely that Google Sheets added 50,000 or more rows that you don’t need. Here’s how to identify them:

Open your Google Sheet.
Scroll to the bottom of the sheet.
Check for rows with no data (blank rows).

If you see an excessive number of blank rows, you’ve likely encountered the issue of extra rows.

Step 2: Select the Extra Rows

Once you’ve identified the extra rows, it’s time to select them for deletion. To select the rows:

Click on the row number just below the last data-filled row.
Hold down the Shift key and scroll down until you reach the bottom row.
Continue holding Shift and click on the last row number (50,000th row or more).
This will select all the empty rows between your data and the 50,000th row.

Step 3: Delete the Extra Rows

After selecting the extra rows, the next step is to delete them:

Right-click on the selected row numbers.
From the menu, click on Delete rows.

By doing this, Google Sheets will remove the selected rows instantly.

Step 4: Double-Check Your Spreadsheet

After deleting the extra rows, it’s important to scroll through your sheet again and make sure that no unwanted rows are left behind. Sometimes, there might still be some blank rows hidden in the sheet. Check thoroughly to ensure everything is clean.

Step 5: Save Your Spreadsheet

Once you’ve deleted the extra rows, don’t forget to save your spreadsheet. Google Sheets automatically saves changes, but it’s always a good idea to ensure your data is preserved.

Alternative Method: Using Google Apps Script

If you need a faster or more automated way to delete 50,000 extra rows in Google Sheets, consider using Google Apps Script. This method is especially useful for those who frequently encounter this issue.

Here’s how you can use a Google Apps Script to delete extra rows:

Open your Google Sheet.
Go to Extensions > Apps Script.
Delete any code in the script editor and paste the following script:

function deleteExtraRows() {

var sheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet().getActiveSheet();

var lastRow = sheet.getLastRow();

var totalRows = sheet.getMaxRows();

if (totalRows > lastRow) {

sheet.deleteRows(lastRow + 1, totalRows – lastRow);

}

Click on Save and then Run the script.

This script will automatically delete any rows beyond the last data row, including any 50,000 extra rows.

How to Prevent Google Sheets from Adding Extra Rows

Once you’ve removed the extra rows, you might want to prevent Google Sheets from adding them in the future. Here are some tips to help you avoid this problem:

Avoid selecting large ranges: When adding data or formulas, try to select only the necessary rows and columns.
Use filters: Filters can help you manage rows and prevent unwanted additions.
Check your Google Sheets settings: Make sure you don’t have any scripts or add-ons running that might automatically add rows to your sheet.

Lenovo Legion S7 AMD Ryzen 7 5800H 15.6

About this item

Processor: 5th Gen AMD Ryzen 7 – 5800H | Speed: 3.2 GHz (Base) – 4.4 GHz (Max) | 8 Cores | 16 Threads | 16MB Cache
Display: 15.6″ QHD (1920×1080) Dolby Vision | IPS Technology | 165 Hz Refresh Rate | 300Nits Brightness | 100% sRGB Dolby Vision
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 6GB GDDR6 Dedicated Graphics with max TGP 130W | Boost Clock 1425/1702MHz | Free-Sync and G-Sync
Memory and Storage: 16GB RAM DDR4-3200 | 1 TB SSD
AI Engine : Upto 15% more FPS and Best performance with Auto Detect Mode (Top 16 AAA Titles) and Auto Optimisation Mode | Q Control 4.0 to select between Quiet (Blue), Intelligent (White) and Performance (Red) Modes
Cooling: Legion Coldfront 3.0 with Quad Channel Exhaust System with Copper Fins
OS and Pre-Installed Softare: Pre-Loaded Windows 11 Home with Lifetime Validity | MS Office Home and Student 2021 | Xbox GamePass Ultimate 3-month subscription*

Audio: 2x2W HD Harman Speakers| Nahimic Audio with Surround Sound, Sound Tracker, Night Mode, Sound Sharing & Content Profiles Camera: HD 720p with E-camera Shutter :Physical kill switch for 100% privacy protection| Integrated Dual Array Microphone
Keyboard: Full-size 4-Zone RGB LED Backlit Legion TrueStrike Keyboard with 100% Anti-Ghosting, Anti-Abrasion and Soft-Landing switches | 1.5 mm Key Travel | Large Arrow Keys | Large one piece Track Pad
Battery Life: 60Wh | upto 8 Hours | Rapid Charge Pro (Up to 60% in 30 Minutes)