How to unhide rows or columns in Microsoft Excel

Updated: 05/01/2023 by Computer Hope
Hidden row and column in Excel

In Microsoft Excel, rows and columns are sometimes hidden to make more important data easier to view. However, you may want to see all columns and rows of data in the Excel spreadsheet, regardless of importance. To find and unhide a row or column in Excel, click the appropriate link below and follow the steps.

Unhide a row

Tip

You can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+( to unhide rows.

  1. Locate the hidden row; they are identified by looking for a missing number in the row headers. For example, the picture below shows row 1, row 2, row 3, row 5, and row 6. Row 4 is the hidden row, as it's missing in the row header numbering sequence.

Hidden row 4 in an Excel spreadsheet

  1. Using your mouse, select the column before and after the hidden column.

Select row above and below the hidden row

  1. Right-click the selected rows. In the pop-up menu, select Unhide.

Unhide a hidden row in Excel

The once-hidden row is now visible.

Unhide a column

Tip

You can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+) to unhide columns.

  1. Locate the hidden column; they are identified by looking for a missing letter in the column headers. For example, the picture below shows column A, column C, and column D. With column B being the hidden column, as it's missing in the column header alphabetic naming sequence.

Hidden column B in an Excel spreadsheet

  1. Using your mouse, select the row above and below the hidden row.

Select column before and after the hidden column

  1. Right-click the selected columns. In the pop-up menu, select Unhide.

Unhide a hidden column in Excel

The once-hidden column is now visible.