How to Hide and Unhide Rows and Columns in Excel
Hiding rows and columns is a quick way to tidy a busy spreadsheet. Maybe you want to hide working-out columns, or old months you don't need to see. Unhiding them again is where people get stuck, especially when it's column A.
How to spot hidden rows and columns
Look at the row numbers and column letters. If one is missing, for example the letters go A, B, E, or the row numbers jump from 4 to 9, those are hidden. You'll also see a slightly thicker line where they used to be.
Hide rows or columns
1. Select the rows or columns by clicking their row numbers or column letters. Drag to select several, or hold Ctrl to pick ones that aren't next to each other.
2. Right-click the selection.
3. Choose Hide.
2. Right-click the selection.
3. Choose Hide.
Unhide rows or columns
1. Select the rows or columns on both sides of the hidden ones. For hidden columns C and D, select columns B to E.
2. Right-click the selection.
3. Choose Unhide.
2. Right-click the selection.
3. Choose Unhide.
Or double-click the thick line where the hidden columns are. Your pointer needs to be a split double-arrow, which can be fiddly.
Unhide everything at once
1. Click the triangle in the top-left corner of the sheet (where the row numbers and column letters meet), or press Ctrl + A.
2. Right-click any column letter and choose Unhide.
3. Right-click any row number and choose Unhide.
2. Right-click any column letter and choose Unhide.
3. Right-click any row number and choose Unhide.
Unhide column A or row 1
You can't select "both sides" of column A because there's nothing to its left. Here's the reliable fix:
1. Click in the Name Box (the box to the left of the formula bar showing the cell address).
2. Type A1 and press Enter. Excel selects the hidden cell.
3. Go to Home > Format > Hide & Unhide > Unhide Columns (or Unhide Rows for row 1).
2. Type A1 and press Enter. Excel selects the hidden cell.
3. Go to Home > Format > Hide & Unhide > Unhide Columns (or Unhide Rows for row 1).
Selecting all and unhiding everything, as above, also works.
Keyboard shortcuts
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Hide rows | Ctrl + 9 |
| Unhide rows | Ctrl + Shift + 9 |
| Hide columns | Ctrl + 0 |
| Unhide columns | Ctrl + Shift + 0 (see note) |
Note: Ctrl + Shift + 0 is switched off by default in some versions of Windows because it's used for switching keyboard languages. Use the right-click menu instead.
A better alternative: Group
Hidden rows and columns are easy to miss, and other people may not realise they're there. Grouping does the same job but adds a visible + / – button:
1. Select the rows or columns.
2. Go to Data > Group (or press Shift + Alt + →).
3. Click the – button to collapse them and + to expand.
2. Go to Data > Group (or press Shift + Alt + →).
3. Click the – button to collapse them and + to expand.
See our guide on grouping rows for more.
Troubleshooting
Unhide doesn't bring the row back. The row height has been set to a tiny value rather than hidden. Select the rows either side, right-click and choose Row Height, and type 15.
Rows are hidden and won't unhide. A filter may be hiding them. The row numbers will be blue. Go to Data > Clear.
Hide and Unhide are greyed out. The sheet is protected. Go to Review > Unprotect Sheet.
Wrapping up
Right-click and choose Hide, then select both sides and choose Unhide. For a stuck column A, type A1 in the Name Box and use Home > Format > Hide & Unhide. And if you want hidden rows to be obvious, use Group instead.
