Unhide columns, rows and sheet in Excel
In the first section, I will show you with screen shots, how to unhide the column(s) in Excel. This is followed by the section to unhide rows and finally, you can see how to unhide a sheet.
After hiding the column(s), row(s) or sheet (as explained in the hide columns/rows tutorial), if you want to unhide those; this is also simple and the topic of this tutorial.
In the first section, I will show you with screenshots, how to unhide the column(s) in Excel. This is followed by the section to unhide rows and finally, you can see how to unhide a sheet.
Depending on the need, you may scroll to the desired section directly.
The first way to unhide the hidden column is using the right click option.
For the example, I assume that you have already hidden a column. I have hidden the column D for the demo as shown in the graphic below:
To unhide the single column D by using right click, follow this:
Single Step:
In our example, we have C and E adjacent columns to the hidden D column. So, to unhide the column D:
Select C & E columns.
Right click on either C or E column and press the “Unhide” option in the menu:
This should unhide the column D.
Second way: Unhide by double line example
If you look closer at the column lines after hiding a column, you will notice those are double lines and look a little thick than normal columns. See the image below:
You may also unhide the hidden column by double clicking the double line or drag the line towards right.
If you are comfortable using the ribbon for performing tasks rather than using contextual menu (right click) then this is how you may unhide the hidden columns.
Step 1:
Go to the “Home” tab in the ribbon.
Step 2:
Under the “Cells” group, locate the “Format” button and press the small arrow to open its menu.
Step 3:
Under the “Visibility” heading in Format button’s menu, click the “Unhide Columns” option as shown in the graphic below
Fourth Way – Using shortcut key to unhide all columns
To unhide column(s) by single action, you may unhide one or all hidden columns. This is using the short key to unhide the column.
To unhide all hidden columns, first select whole sheet by pressing Ctrl+ A and then use this short key:
Alt + H + O + U + L
Press the above keys one by one.
How to unhide a row example
The process to unhide the hidden row is almost the same as unhiding the column.
To unhide the rows, I am again assumed that you know how to hide the rows and columns. Just in case, you need to learn, here is the link to its tutorial: Hide the columns and rows in Excel.
For the example, I hid the row number six as shown below:
You may clearly notice a thick line between row number 5 and 7 as compared to line between other rows. This indicates the hidden row.
To unhide the row number six, the following ways can be used.
First way – In the ribbon
After selecting the row number 5 or 7,
Go to the “Home” tab in the ribbon.
Find the Cells group –> Format –> Visibility
Under the Visibility heading, expand the “Hide & Unhide” menu and press the “Unhide Rows” option as shown below:
Second Way – Using the double line
As mentioned earlier, you may notice the comparatively thick line between row 5 and 7. This is the sign of a hidden row. The line between other visible rows is thin.
To unhide the row number six (in our example), double click the lower side of the line that is above row number 7. This should unhide row number 6.
Alternatively, you may drag the same line by mouse and expand the row number 6.
Third way – Using the right click
After hiding the required rows, select the adjacent row. For example, I hid the row number 6. For unhiding the row number 6, select the row number 5 or 7 and right click on any of its cell.
Now, click on the “Unhide” option in the menu as shown below:
Fourth Way – Using the short key to unhide all rows
After selecting all cells; either by clicking on the triangle located at the top left of the sheet or press the Ctrl + A, use the following short key to unhide one or all rows:
Alt + H + O + U + O
Press the above keys one by one. You do not need to hold down the Alt key as pressing other keys.
How to unhide a worksheet?
Just to remind who do not know, for hiding a sheet, you may use two simple ways for this – also explained in the above section.
First way of hiding a sheet:
Right click any of the sheet that you want to hide and press the “Hide” option in the menu:
This should hide the second.
Second way – use the ribbon
Go to the “Home” tab in the ribbon.
Locate the “Format” button under the “Cells” group and open its menu
Under the Visibility heading, open the “Hide & Unhide” menu
Click on the “Hide Sheet” option.
To unhide the hidden sheet(s), again you may use these two options as for hiding the sheet.
By right clicking
Right click on the worksheet area and press the “Unhide” option.
This should open the pop up asking which sheet to unhide.
Select the one that you want to unhide (if hidden more than one).
Press Ok button.
By Home tab
Just like hiding a sheet, go to the Home tab in the ribbon.
Locate the “Format” button under the “Cells” group and open its menu.
Under the Visibility heading, open the “Hide & Unhide” menu and click on the “Unhide Sheet” option.
There, the popup should open asking which sheet to unhide.
Select the one and press Ok.
