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.
- 1. First way: Unhide a hidden column by right click example
- 2. Second way: Unhide by double line example
- 3. Third way: Using the Home menu in the ribbon
- 4. Fourth Way – Using the shortcut key to unhide all columns
- 5. How to unhide a row example
- 6. How to unhide a worksheet?
- 7. Unhiding the hidden sheet(s)
The first way to unhide the hidden column is by using the right-click option.
To demonstrate that, I have hidden 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 that are visible while D is hidden. 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 closely at the column lines after hiding a column, you will notice those are double lines and looks a little thicker than normal columns. See the image below:
You may also unhide the hidden column by double-clicking the double line or dragging the line towards the right. (See top Gif demo for this)
If you are comfortable using the ribbon for performing tasks rather than using the contextual menu (right-click) then this is how you may unhide the hidden columns.
Go to the “Home” tab in the ribbon.
Under the “Cells” group, locate the “Format” button and press the small arrow to open its menu.
Under the “Visibility” heading in the "Format" button’s menu, click the “Unhide Columns” option as shown in the graphic below
Fourth Way – Using the shortcut key to unhide all columns
To unhide column(s) by a single action, you may unhide one or all hidden columns.
This is by using the shortcut keys to unhide the column.
To unhide all hidden columns, first select the whole sheet by pressing Ctrl+ A and then use this short key:
(Press the above keys one by one.)
How to unhide a row example
The process of unhiding the hidden row is almost the same as unhiding the column.
For the example, I hid the row number six as shown below:
You may clearly notice a thick line between rows number 5 and 7 as compared to the line between other rows. This indicates the hidden row.
To unhide 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 rows 5 and 7. This is the sign of a hidden row. The line between other visible rows is thin.
To unhide 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 - as shown below.
Third way – Using the right click option
After hiding the required rows, select the adjacent row.
For example, I hid the row number 6. For unhiding row number 6, select row number 5 or 7 and right-click on any of its cells.
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:
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 those who do not know, for hiding a sheet, you may use two simple ways for this – also explained in the above section.
The first way of hiding a sheet:
Right click any of the sheets that you want to hide and press the “Hide” option in the menu:
This should hide the second sheet.
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 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 the 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.