In this post, we would take you through hiding and unhiding both columns and rows in excel. We would first show the traditional way pf doing it and later on, show how to execute using keyboard shortcuts. Let’s begin with the traditional method.
Hide Columns
Hide Single Columns
To hide a single column, please follow the steps below. We would touch on hiding multiple columns later in this post.
Step 1: Select the column you want to hide. In our example, we want to hide the West Europe 1 column, so we are going to select column B by clicking on it or using CTRL + Space
Step 2: Right click and select hide.
Result: The portion highlighted is an indication that there is one or more columns hidden. Anytime you see it, just note that some columns are hidden in that area.
Hiding Multiple Columns
The process is pretty much the same as that of hiding a single column. The only difference is that you need to select all the columns you intend to hide. Follow the steps below to this:
Step 1: Let’s assume we want to hide everything Europe 1 in our previous example. This means that we must select and hide column B to D. To select the target area, first click on Column B and then drag to Columns C and D.
Step 2: Now right click on any of the highlighted columns and select hide
Result:
Unhide Columns
To unhide columns, follow the following steps:
Step 1: Select the columns on each side of the hidden columns
Step 2: Right click and click on unhide
Result: As you can see, excel displays previously hidden columns after following these steps. Once you see the indicator discussed in Hiding columns section, follow the above steps to display the hidden columns
Hide Rows
Hide Single Rows
Now we are in the rows section. To hide a row, follow these easy steps:
Step 1: Select the row by clicking on the row number. For example, let’s assume I want to hide information for North America in our previous example, I would need to select row 3 to begin the process of hiding it.
Step 2: Right click and select hide rows
Result: Just like we had it in the column section, the portion highlighted below also indicates that rows are hidden between the row number above and below. You should be on the look out for that indicator when reviewing models or analysis.
Hide Multiple Rows
The process is very similar to that of hiding single rows. All we need to do is to ensure that we select all the rows we intend to hide. See the steps below:
Following on from our previous example, let’s hide information for North America and Australia. As you can see, they are non- contiguous, meaning that they are not connected as Brazil appears in the middle so selection of both rows would be different from what we did in the Hiding multiple column section.
Step 1: To select both North America and Australia, first select either of the two, then keep your hand pressed on the ctrl key and now select the second row (either North America or Australia depending on your first choice.
Step 2: Right click on any of the rows selected and click hide
Unhide Rows
Similar to unhiding columns, it begins with selecting the rows immediately above and below the region that is hidden. See the example below.
Step 1: Select the rows immediately above and below the hidden row
Step 2: Right click and click unhide
Hide Columns & Rows with Keyboard Shortcuts
As you go through the shortcuts below, remember to keep your hand pressed on each key as you proceed to the next. For example, you should still be pressing Ctrl key as you press 0 or 9
Hide Columns: To hide columns with keyboard shortcuts, use the combination below.
Hide Rows: To hide rows with keyboard shortcuts, use the combination below:
Unhide Columns & Rows with Keyboard Shortcuts
As stated in the previous section, please keep the earlier keys pressed down as your proceed. For example, as you proceed to the shift key, Ctrl should still be pressed down and as you press 0 or 9, Ctrl + Shift should still be pressed down.
Unhide Columns: To unhide columns with keyboard shortcuts, simply use the combination below.
Unhide rows: To unhide rows with keyboard shortcuts, simply use the combination below:
