Excel 2013 For Dummies
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After the database is under way and you’re caught up with entering records in Excel 2013, you can start using the data form to edit and perform routine maintenance on the database. For example, you can use the data form to locate a record you want to change and then make the edits to the particular fields.

You can also use the data form to find a specific record you want to remove and then delete it from the database.

  • Locate the record you want to edit in the database by bringing up its data form.

  • To edit the fields of the current record, move to that field by pressing Tab or Shift+Tab and replace the entry by typing a new one.

    Alternatively, press ← or → or click the I-beam cursor to reposition the insertion point, and then make your edits.

  • To clear a field entirely, select it and then press the Delete key.

To delete the entire record from the database, click the Delete button in the data form. Excel displays an alert box with the following dire warning:

Displayed record will be permanently deleted

To delete the record displayed in the data form, click OK. To play it safe and keep the record intact, click the Cancel button.

You cannot use the Undo feature to bring back a record you removed with the Delete button! Excel is definitely not kidding when it warns permanently deleted. As a precaution, always save a back-up version of the worksheet with the database before you start removing old records.

About This Article

This article is from the book:

About the book author:

Greg Harvey, PhD, is President of Mind Over Media, an online media company. He has written all editions of Excel For Dummies, Excel All-in-One For Dummies, and Excel Workbook For Dummies. Greg is an experienced educator with a wide variety of interests.

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