What is the syntax for DROP in Excel?

The syntax for DROP is: =DROP(array, rows, [columns])

How do I skip the header row when processing data?

Use =DROP(Table, 1) to remove the first row (header). Combine with other functions: =SORT(DROP(A1:D100, 1), 2) sorts data excluding the header. The header stays in place while data below is processed.

How do I remove the last N rows?

Use negative rows: =DROP(A1:D100, -5) removes the last 5 rows. Useful for excluding incomplete data or summary rows at the bottom of a table.

Can I drop rows AND columns at the same time?

Yes! =DROP(A1:Z100, 1, 2) drops the first row AND first 2 columns. =DROP(A1:Z100, -1, -1) drops the last row and last column. Use 0 to keep all: =DROP(A1:Z100, 0, 1) drops only the first column.

Lookup & Reference

DROP Function in Excel

Excludes a specified number of rows or columns from the start or end of an array.

Syntax

=DROP(array, rows, [columns])

Arguments

array (required): Array to drop from
rows (required): Number of rows to drop (negative for from end)
columns (optional): Number of columns to drop (negative for from end)

Examples

=DROP(A1:D10, 1) - Skip header row - Result: 9 rows
=DROP(A1:D10, 0, 1) - Skip first column - Result: 3 columns

When to use DROP

Use DROP when you need to retrieve values from a table or range based on a key.
Confirm data types match (text vs number) and trim spaces before lookups.
Pair with [IFERROR](/functions/iferror/) or [IFNA](/functions/ifna/) for cleaner reports.
See the [lookup functions guide](/guides/excel-lookup-functions-guide/) for VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP, and INDEX MATCH paths.

Common DROP mistakes

#N/A often means the key is missing or exact match is wrong — see [#N/A error](/errors/na/).
Lock table references with $ when copying formulas down a column.
Compare legacy vs modern lookups in [XLOOKUP vs VLOOKUP](/compare/xlookup-vs-vlookup/).

Common errors

Requires Excel 365

Use cases

Skip headers
Remove columns
Subset data

Frequently asked questions

How do I skip the header row when processing data? Use =DROP(Table, 1) to remove the first row (header). Combine with other functions: =SORT(DROP(A1:D100, 1), 2) sorts data excluding the header. The header stays in place while data below is processed.
How do I remove the last N rows? Use negative rows: =DROP(A1:D100, -5) removes the last 5 rows. Useful for excluding incomplete data or summary rows at the bottom of a table.
Can I drop rows AND columns at the same time? Yes! =DROP(A1:Z100, 1, 2) drops the first row AND first 2 columns. =DROP(A1:Z100, -1, -1) drops the last row and last column. Use 0 to keep all: =DROP(A1:Z100, 0, 1) drops only the first column.

Editorial review

Reviewed by Excel.Directory Editorial Team. Updated May 2026.