Excel users often need to hide data in Excel. As a result, they are able to display the desired data. This results in tidy, clean data for them. In this article, we will discuss how to hide data in Excel.
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6 Handy Approaches to Hide Data in Excel
In this article, we will go through six different methods to hide data in Excel. In the first method, we will use the Hide command. After that, we will use cell formatting to do the task. In the third method, we will utilize the Filter command to hide data. Afterward, we will use the Advanced Filter command to complete the task. Then, we will use the Format Cells command to hide the data. Finally, we will utilize the Group command to finish the task. We will use the sample data below to illustrate the methods.
1. Applying Hide Command to Hide Data in Excel
In this method, we will explore two different ways to access the Hide command and hide data in Excel.
1.1 Using Right-click to Access Hide Command
In this illustration, we will use right- click to access the Hide command. Follow the outlined steps below to do the task.
Step 1:
- To begin with, select the data row that you want to hide.
- In this case, we will select row 6.
Step 2:
- Secondly, press the right-click.
- Then, select the Hide command from the menu.
Step 3:
- Consequently, the data-containing row will be hidden.
1.2 Using Format Option to Access the Hide Command
In this case, we will access the Hide command using the Format option. Follow the ensuing steps to accomplish the task.
Step 1:
- Firstly, select the row you want to hide.
- In this illustration, we will choose row 6.
Step 2:
- Secondly, go to the Home tab.
- After that, follow it up with a visit to the Format option and select it.
- From the drop-down commands list select the Hide & Unhide command.
- Finally, select the Hide Rows command.
Step 3:
- As a result, we will see that our desired data is hidden.
2. Applying Cell Formatting to Hide Data in Excel
In this method, we will apply formatting to a cell to hide the data. Follow the sequentially illustrated steps below to do so.
Step 1:
- Firstly, select the cells containing the data that you want to hide.
- Here, we will select cells E6, E7, and E8.
Step 2:
- Secondly, go to the Home tab in the ribbon.
- Then, hoover down to the Font group.
- After that, choose the Font Color option.
- From the drop-down color pallet, select the font color as the background of the Excel cell.
- In our case, we will choose white as our font color.
Step 3:
- Consequently, we will see that the text in the cells is hidden
3. Utilizing Filter Command to Hide Data in Excel
In this method illustration, we will use the Filter command to hide text in Excel. Follow the subsequent steps to ensure that.
Step 1:
- Firstly, select the column that contains the data you want to hide.
- Here, we will go for the column with the row header named “Percent Increse or Decrease”.
Step 2:
- Secondly, go to the Home tab.
- After that, put your cursor in the Editing group.
- Then, select the Sort & Filter tab.
- Finally, from the drop-down options select the Filter command.
Step 3 :
- Consequently, a filter option will appear to the right of the header row.
- After that, click on the filter icon.
Step 4:
- As a result, a command box will appear.
- Then, go to the Number Filters in the box.
- After that, uncheck the data that you want to hide.
- Finally, select OK.
Step 5:
- Consequently, you will notice that the data that you wanted to hide are hidden.
4. Implying Advanced Filter Command to Hide Data in Excel
In this method, we will use the Advanced Filter to hide data. To complete the task, adhere to the steps listed below.
Step 1:
- Firstly, create a filtering condition to filter out the data that you want to hide.
- Here, we will use the “Percent Increase or Decrease” column as our filtering column.
- Again, we will use “>0”(greater than zero) as our filtering argument.
Step 2:
- Secondly, go to the Data tab.
- Then, click on the Advanced tab.
- Consequently, the Advanced Filter dialogue box will be opened.
Step 3:
- Thirdly, go to the List range option in the Advanced Filter dialogue box.
- Then, click on the upward arrow to the right of the box to select the range of data sets you need to filter.
Step 4:
- After that, select the range of datasets.
- In our case, we will select the entire dataset.
- Finally, select the downward arrow to the right of the box to confirm it.
Step 5:
- We will see that the selected range is added to the List range option.
- Then, go to the Criteria range option to select the criteria range.
- After that, click on the upward arrow to go to the dataset for selection.
Step 6:
- Afterward, select the Criteria range option.
- Here, the range is G4:G5.
- Finally, select the downward arrow to the right of the box to confirm it.
Step 7:
- Consequently, you will see that the Criteria range has been added to the box.
- Finally, click OK.
Step 8:
- As a result, you will see that the filtered data is present in the dataset and the rest are hidden.
Notes:
- In order to apply this command, you must sort the data according to your needs.
- In our case, we kept the decrease in sales values together.
- Otherwise, you won’t be able to select a criteria range.
5. Applying Format Cells Command to Hide Data in Excel
In this illustration, we will use the Format Cells command to hide data from a cell in Excel. Follow the steps below to do it.
Step 1:
- Firstly, select the cell from which you want to hide data.
- In this case, the cell is E6.
Step 2:
- Secondly, press the right-click button.
- Then, from the drop-down option select the Format Cells command.
- Consequently, a dialogue box will appear.
Step 3:
- Thirdly, from the Format Cells dialogue box select the Number tab.
- Select the Number option after that.
- Then, in the box under the Type option type three semicolons or “;;;”.
- Finally, click OK.
Step 4:
- Consequently, we will see that the data in the particular cell is hidden.
6. Utilizing Group Command to Hide Data in Excel
In this method, we will use the Group command to hide text. In order to do that, adhere to the subsequent steps below.
Step 1:
- Firstly, select the cells you want to hide.
- Here, we will go for E6, E7 and E8.
Step 2:
- Secondly, go to the Data tab.
- Then, navigate to the Outline group.
- From that group, select the Group option.
- Finally, from the drop-down list select the Group command.
- Consequently, a dialogue box will appear.
Step 3:
- From the dialogue box, select Rows.
- Then, click OK.
Step 4:
- Consequently, we will see the data grouped.
- There will be a minus (-) sign on the right side of the dataset.
- Click on that minus (-) sign.
Step 5:
- As a result, you will find that the data are hidden.
Conclusion
We often want to display a neat and clean dataset free from unwanted data. This makes the hiding of data very significant. This allows us to use the data when needed and hide it while presenting the Excel worksheet. After going through this article, the readers will have a clear understanding of how to hide data in Excel. This will allow them to manage their data more efficiently. If you find it useful, please let us know in the comment section below and share any recommendations and thoughts regarding this or any other content of ours. Thank you for your time. Follow ExcelDemy.com for more articles like this.