Hide and Unhide Columns in Excel
Hiding and unhiding columns in Excel streamlines our workflow by letting us focus on key data without deleting anything, especially in large datasets. Hiding columns in Excel conceals data without deleting it, helping to declutter the workspace. To hide, right-click the column header and select "Hide". Unhiding restores the columns by selecting adjacent columns, right-clicking, and choosing "Unhide".
Hide the Column in Excel
Hiding a column in MS Excel can make our 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 the Ribbon in Excel
Here are the steps given below to hide a column in MS Excel using the 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.
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Method 2: Hide Columns in Excel Shortcut
Below is the Dataset in which we want to Hide columns B and C. Follow the steps given below for our reference to hide columns using keyboard shortcuts.
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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 we want to hide, Press "Ctrl+zero(0) " together. we can see the result below, after hiding the columns.
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Method 3: Hide Columns Using a Context Menu in Excel
If in case we don't remember the hotkeys we can also use another simple way to hide columns in Excel, Follow the below steps,
Step 1: Select the columns we 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.
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Method 4: Hide Excel Columns by Setting the Column Width as Zero
Now In the same Dataset, if we want to hide columns C. Follow the steps to hide column C by Setting the width as Zero.
Step 1: Select the Column we 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".
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Step 3: Check the Changes
Now, we can see in the below image column C is hidden.
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Method 5: Hide Column Using VBA Code
If we 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 we 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
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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.
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Hiding an Unused Column in Excel
Here's the steps given below to focus on our data and hide empty columns for our reference. Follow the procedure to do the same,
Step 1: Select the column after our last data column
Use Ctrl + Shift + Right Arrow to highlight all empty columns to the right.
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Step 2: Press Ctrl + 0 to hide these columns
This keeps our workspace tidy, showing only what's important to users.
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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 we want to group (or hide)
Highlight the columns we want to group and hide.
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Step 2: Click on the Data Tab and Select Group
Go to the "Data" tab, select "Group," and choose "Columns" from the dialog box.
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Step 3: Choose Columns from the dialog box
Click the minus (-) sign to hide the grouped columns.
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Step 4: Hide Columns
Click the minus (-) sign to hide the grouped columns.
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Step 5: Preview the Result
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Hide Columns with Plus (+) Sign
we 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
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."