To hide or unhide rows, columns, or sheets in Excel, select the row(s), column(s), or sheet tab, right-click, and choose Hide or Unhide. This works in Excel 2010 through Microsoft 365 on Windows and Mac, and the same commands exist in Google Sheets with slight menu differences.
Why Hide Rows, Columns, or Sheets?
Hiding is a way to tidy up a worksheet without deleting data. You might hide helper columns that contain formulas used by other cells, hide monthly detail columns so a summary sits next to the totals, or hide an entire sheet that holds lookup tables or raw data. Hidden items stay in the workbook, so formulas that reference them keep working. This is different from grouping (which adds a collapse button) and different from filtering (which hides rows based on criteria). Hiding is manual and permanent until you unhide.
How to Hide and Unhide Rows and Columns
Select the row number(s) or column letter(s) you want to hide. For multiple adjacent rows, drag across the numbers; for non-adjacent rows, hold Ctrl (Windows) or Cmd (Mac) while clicking. Then right-click and choose Hide. The row numbers or column letters will skip the hidden range, which is your visual clue that something is hidden.
To unhide, select the rows or columns on both sides of the hidden ones (for example, select columns B and D if C is hidden), right-click, and choose Unhide. If you do not know where the hidden rows are, press Ctrl+G (or Cmd+G on Mac) to open the Go To dialog, type a reference like A1, and click OK. That selects the cell even if it is in a hidden row or column, then you can use the ribbon: Home > Format > Hide & Unhide > Unhide Rows or Unhide Columns.
How to Hide and Unhide Entire Sheets
Right-click the sheet tab at the bottom of the window and choose Hide. The tab disappears. To unhide, right-click any visible tab and choose Unhide, then select the sheet from the list and click OK. You can hide multiple sheets at once by holding Ctrl while clicking tabs, but you can only unhide one sheet at a time through the dialog. If the Unhide option is grayed out, the workbook is protected; you need the password or the owner must unprotect it.
Keyboard Shortcuts and the Ribbon
Excel does not have a single default shortcut for hide/unhide, but you can use these common combinations:
- Ctrl+9 hides selected rows; Ctrl+Shift+9 unhides them.
- Ctrl+0 hides selected columns; Ctrl+Shift+0 unhides them.
- On the ribbon, go to Home > Format > Hide & Unhide to see all options.
Note that Ctrl+0 may not work on some keyboard layouts if the zero key is remapped; you can still use the right-click menu.
Common Problems and Fixes
Unhide is grayed out. This usually means the sheet is protected or the workbook is shared. Check Review > Protect Sheet or Protect Workbook and unprotect if you have the password.
You cannot select the hidden rows. Click the Select All button (the triangle at the top-left corner of the sheet) to select the entire sheet, then use the ribbon’s Unhide Rows or Unhide Columns. That unhides everything.
Hidden columns are still visible in formulas. Hiding does not affect references; a formula in a visible cell can still point to a hidden cell. If you want to prevent users from seeing the data, hiding is not security—it is only a visual change. Use sheet protection or a password to actually restrict access.
Hiding vs. Grouping vs. Filtering
Grouping (Data > Outline > Group) adds a plus/minus button that lets users expand or collapse rows or columns. It is better when you want to let others toggle the view. Filtering (Data > Filter) hides rows that do not match criteria and is meant for temporary analysis. Hiding is the simplest and most permanent of the three, but it is also the easiest to forget about. A hidden column can cause printing issues if you forget it is there; check Page Layout > Print Area or use Print Preview to confirm.
Tips for Working with Hidden Data
- Use a light gray fill or a border on the row numbers to remind yourself that something is hidden.
- To copy only visible cells, select the range, press Alt+; (or Cmd+Shift+Z on Mac), then copy. This skips hidden rows and columns.
- If you hide a sheet that contains named ranges, the names still work in formulas, but they may confuse other users. Consider moving lookup tables to a separate workbook if they are large.
- Hidden sheets are still saved and still calculated. If you hide a sheet with volatile functions, Excel still recalculates it, which can slow down large workbooks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I unhide all rows at once? Select the entire sheet by clicking the triangle at the top-left corner, then go to Home > Format > Hide & Unhide > Unhide Rows. This reveals every hidden row in the sheet.
Why can’t I unhide a sheet? The workbook may be protected or shared. Check Review > Protect Workbook and remove protection if you have the password. Also, if you have never hidden a sheet, the Unhide dialog will be empty.
Does hiding a column delete the data? No. The data remains in the cell and any formulas still reference it. Hiding only changes what you see on screen and in print.
Can I hide a sheet so it cannot be unhidden? Not with the standard hide feature. You can use VBA to set the sheet as “very hidden,� but that requires code and is beyond normal Excel use. For most users, sheet protection is the right way to prevent changes.
Why does Ctrl+0 not work on my keyboard? Some laptop keyboards or non-US layouts remap the zero key. Use the right-click menu or the ribbon instead. You can also press Alt+H, then O, then U, then C to unhide columns.
Related
Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.
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