Hide and Unhide Columns in Excel

Hiding and unhiding columns in Excel streamlines your workflow by letting you focus on key data without deleting anything, especially in large datasets. This guide covers simple steps and tips to hide and unhide columns in Excel, including methods for Excel 2016 and using formulas to manage spreadsheet visibility effectively.

Methods to Hide the Column in Excel

Hiding a column in MS Excel can make your Column invisible but not delete the column. There are different methods to hide a column in Excel listed below:

Method 1: Hide a Column Using Ribbon in Excel

Here's the steps given below to hide a column in MS Excel using Ribbon function. Follow the steps mentioned below,

Step 1: Select Column, Go to Format tab and Choose Hide and Unhide

Select the first cell of the column, here we are selecting A1. Then, in the home got to format in the cells. In format choose Hide & Unhide in Visibility.

Step 2: Select Hide Columns and see the output

In Hide & Unhide select Hide Columns option. And check the preview after choosing the hide column option. Now Column A will not appear on the screen.

Method 2: Hide Columns in Excel Shortcut

Below is the Dataset in which you want to Hide columns B and C. Follow the steps given below for your reference to hide columns using keyboard shortcuts.

Step 1: Select Column B and Drag it to Column C

Select the column B and drag it to the column C to select both of the columns.

Step 2: Press the shortcut key 'Ctrl + Zero'

After Selecting the Columns you want to hide, Press "Ctrl+zero(0) " together. You can see the result below, after hiding the columns.

Method 3: Hide Columns Using a Context Menu in Excel

If in case you don't remember the hotkeys you can also use another simple way to hide columns in Excel, Follow the below steps,

Step 1: Select the columns you want to hide

Step 2: Right-Click and Select Hide option from menu

Right-click the selection and select the Hide option from the menu.

Method 4: Hide Excel Columns by Setting the Column Width as Zero

Now In the same Dataset, if you want to hide columns C. Follow the steps to hide column C by Setting the width as Zero.

Step 1: Select the Column you want to hide

Step 2: Right Click, Choose 'Column With' and set it to Zero (0) and Click 'OK'

Right-click on the Selected column, Choose "Column width", set it to 0, and click "ok". 

Step 3: Check the Changes

Now, You can see in the below image column C is hidden.

Method 5: Hide Column Using VBA Code

If you want to hide Columns B and C in the same dataset but with the help of VBA code. Follow the steps to hide the columns with the help of the VBA code.

Step 1: Click on the Developer tab in the Ribbon, and click "Visual Basic".

Note: If Developer Tab is not in the Ribbon, then you have to turn it on. 

Step 2: Open Visual Basic for Applications, double-click on Sheet 1, Go to the Insert tab, click on Procedure, and specify the name.

In the Visual Basic application window, Double- click on "sheet1". Next from the Insert tab, click "procedure". Specify the name of the procedure and write the code: 

Sub hiding_column()

Worksheets( "Sheet4").Columns("B:C).hidden = True

End sub

Step 3: Save the file with .xlsm extension

Now Save the file with the .xlsm extension as it supports macros. 

Step 4: Run tab and Click Run Sub/User from

Form the Run tab, click Run sub/user form." The output is shown in the below image. 

How to Hide Unused Column in Excel

Here's the steps given below to focus on your data and hide empty columns for your reference. Follow the procedure to do the same,

Step 1: Select the column after your last data column

Use Ctrl + Shift + Right Arrow to highlight all empty columns to the right.

Step 2: Press Ctrl + 0 to hide these columns

This keeps your workspace tidy, showing only what's important to users.

How to Hide and Show Columns using the Group Feature

Check the whole procedure to hide and show columns using the group feature in MS Excel given below for users reference,

Step 1: Select the columns you want to group (or hide)

Highlight the columns you want to group and hide.

Step 2: Click on the Data Tab and Select Group

Go to the "Data" tab, select "Group," and choose "Columns" from the dialog box.

Step 3: Choose Columns from the dialog box

Click the minus (-) sign to hide the grouped columns.

Step 4: Hide Columns

Click the minus (-) sign to hide the grouped columns.

Step 5: Preview the Result

How to Hide Columns with Plus (+) Sign

You can hide columns with - sign and Expand the Columns with + Sign Using the Above Grouping Feature in Excel

• To Hide Columns Use - Sign
• To Unhide Use + Sign

How to Unhide Columns in Excel

Unhiding columns in Excel is a simple process. Follow the below steps to unhide the columns in Excel.

Step 1: Select Columns Around Hidden Columns

Highlight the columns on either side of the hidden column(s).

Step 2: Right-click on the selected columns

Step 3: Select Unhide

From the context menu, click "Unhide."

Also Read:

• How to delete blank columns in Excel
• How to swap columns in Excel