How to remove VSTACK function from Excel

Intro: The VSTACK function in Excel is a helpful tool for vertically stacking multiple ranges or arrays into one combined range. However, there may be situations where you want to remove or replace the VSTACK function, whether it’s for compatibility reasons, a personal preference, or because you need to use a version of Excel that doesn’t support it. In this guide, we’ll go over how to remove the VSTACK function from your Excel workbook and offer alternatives if you’re looking to replace it.

How to Remove the VSTACK Function from Excel:

Removing or replacing the VSTACK function depends on your specific needs. Here are the steps to do it:

1. Manually Remove VSTACK Formulas: If you want to completely remove the VSTACK function from a particular cell or range:
   • Select the cell or cells containing the VSTACK formula.
   • Press the Delete key to remove the formula.
   • If you want to replace the VSTACK function with an alternative, you can simply type a new formula in place of it.
2. Replace VSTACK with an Alternative Formula: If you’re looking to replace VSTACK with a different approach for stacking data vertically, here are a couple of options:
   • Using INDEX and ROW: You can use the INDEX function combined with ROW to vertically combine data. While not as simple as VSTACK, it can help you replicate the same result. Example for stacking two ranges vertically: =IF(ROW(A1)<=COUNTA(range1), INDEX(range1, ROW(A1)), INDEX(range2, ROW(A1)-COUNTA(range1))) This formula will pull values from range1 and then from range2, based on the row number.
   • Using Power Query: Power Query is an excellent tool in Excel that allows you to manipulate and combine data in more complex ways. You can use Power Query to load your ranges and stack them vertically by appending the tables together. This method is useful when you’re dealing with larger datasets.
   • Using Manual Copy-Paste: If you only need to do this once, you can simply copy the data from the individual ranges and paste them below one another manually.
3. Disable VSTACK (if using Microsoft 365): Similar to other dynamic array functions, VSTACK is a feature available in newer versions of Excel, like Microsoft 365 and Excel 2021. There’s no direct way to “disable” it from within the program itself if you have it. However, if you’re working in a version of Excel that doesn’t support VSTACK, Excel won’t recognize the formula, and it will return an error. To ensure compatibility with older versions of Excel, you’ll need to replace VSTACK with older functions or methods as discussed above. Additionally, you can save your workbook in Excel 97-2003 format or another older format, which will prevent newer functions from being saved in the file.
4. Use Compatibility Mode for Older Excel Versions: If you need to work with Excel versions that don’t support VSTACK, you can either update to a newer version or use compatibility mode. Compatibility mode prevents newer functions from being used in older versions of Excel. You can also manually replace VSTACK formulas with older stacking techniques like INDEX/MATCH or Power Query.

Considerations When Removing VSTACK:

• Data Integrity: Always double-check the data when replacing VSTACK with alternatives, especially when working with large datasets, to ensure that the data is being combined properly.
• Excel Versions: Remember that VSTACK is a newer function, so if you need to maintain compatibility with older versions of Excel, replacing it with older formulas or Power Query might be your best option.
• Performance: Using alternative methods like INDEX/MATCH might work for smaller datasets but could be slower for large datasets. Power Query is more efficient for handling larger data manipulations.

Conclusion: While the VSTACK function in Excel is a great tool for combining ranges vertically, there are times when you may need to remove or replace it. Whether you want to switch to older methods like INDEX/MATCH, use Power Query, or simply remove the formula altogether, the process can be done easily by following the steps outlined above.

Always remember to check for compatibility with other versions of Excel and ensure that your formulas are working as expected after making changes. Besides​ the remove this function, you can also learn how to Add the VSTACK on Excel here.