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Gmail how to delete a table from an email message

Deleting a table from a Gmail email message might seem a bit complicated, as selected the whole table and pressing Delete key, or backspace, will only delete the data in the table, but leave the table skeleton.

In short, to remove entirely a table from the message : add text before and after the table, put the mouse cursor before the first text, hold Shift key, and click at the end of the text after table. Pressing Delete key will now delete the text + the full table.

In detail, starting with a fresh email including a table pasted from a spreadsheet

Gmail how to delete a table from an email message : Email in Gmail with table
Email in Gmail with table

When trying to select the whole table – no table editing options are offered

Gmail how to delete a table from an email message : Selection of the table in Gmail message
Selection of the table in Gmail message

Deleting the selecting will only empty the table – but not remove it from the mail

Gmail how to delete a table from an email message : Deleting table selection in Gmail message only empties the content
Deleting table selection in Gmail message only empties the content

Selecting again the empty table, and trying to delete, either with backspace key, or delete key, won’t remove the table

Gmail how to delete a table from an email message : Selecting the table skeleton will not allow to remove table from message
Selecting the table skeleton will not allow to remove table from message

Solution is to add text before and after the table, put the cursor at the beginning of the text before, and, while pressing the Shift key, click at the end of the text after the table.

Gmail how to delete a table from an email message : Solution : add text before and after table, select text by pressing shift, and delete
Solution : add text before and after table, select text by pressing shift, and delete

Deleting the whole selection will remove the table from the mail !

Gmail how to delete a table from an email message : Table deleted by adding text before and after the table, selecting text while pressing shift key, and deleting
Table deleted by adding text before and after the table, selecting text while pressing shift key, and deleting

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3 thoughts on “Gmail how to delete a table from an email message

  • Perfect Solution, it worked right, Thanks

  • Thank you so much! This is one of the best tips I have ever seen!

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