How to Unhide Columns in Excel: 3 Ways with Screenshots

Microsoft Excel is a versatile spreadsheet application used for various data management and analysis tasks. Sometimes, you may find yourself working with hidden columns in your Excel worksheet, either intentionally or accidentally. Hidden columns are not visible on the worksheet but can contain critical data or calculations.

In this article, we will explore how to unhide columns in Excel, ensuring that your important information is readily accessible.

Why Hide Columns in Excel?

Hiding columns is a useful feature in MS Excel and available in versions of it, that can help declutter your worksheet or protect sensitive data. Here are a few scenarios where you might want to hide columns:

1. Focusing on Specific Data: Hiding unnecessary columns can help users to focus on the specific data that is important and also makes the spreadsheet clutter-free.
2. Protecting Data: You can hide columns to keep sensitive information safe from others if you have to show them due to any reason.
3. Space Management: When dealing with complex worksheets, hiding columns can save space and make your worksheet more manageable.

Now, let’s explore how to unhide columns in Excel when you need to bring hidden data back into view.

Unhiding Columns in Excel:

Method 1: Unhiding a Single Column

• Select Adjacent Columns:

  To unhide a single hidden column, we need to select the columns immediately to the left and right of the hidden column. For that, you need to press the Ctrl button and then click on the column letters at the top of the worksheet. For example, if column “C” is hidden, press the Ctrl button and then click on columns “B” and “D” to select them.

• Right-Click and Choose “Unhide”:

  After selecting the adjoining columns of the hidden one, right-click on any selected column header. After that from the opened context menu click on the “Unhide” option.

• The Hidden Column is Revealed:

  The column which you have hidden will now become visible and displayed between the adjacent columns you selected.

Method 2: Unhiding Multiple Hidden Excel Columns

If you have multiple consecutive hidden columns and you want all of them to be unhidden at once then here are the steps to follow:

• Select the Range: Click and drag your mouse cursor over the column letters corresponding to the hidden columns you want to unhide. For example, if you want to unhide any column hidden between “B” to “G,” then select the range of columns from A to G by clicking on the A to select it and then drag your pointer up to column G.

• Right-Click and Choose “Unhide”: After that right-click on any of the selected column headers and select “Unhide” from the context menu.

• All Selected Hidden Columns are Unhidden: All the columns you selected will be unhidden and visible on the worksheet.

Method 3: Unhiding All Columns on the Excel Sheet Through the Format Menu

You can also unhide all the hidden columns or rows on your Excel sheet using the Format menu.

• Select the Entire Worksheet: Click the box in the upper-left corner where the row numbers and column letters intersect to select the entire worksheet.

• Access the Format Menu: Go to the “Home” tab on the Excel ribbon. Under the “Cells” group, click on “Format.” In the dropdown menu, select “Hide & Unhide,” and then choose “Unhide Columns.” 

• The Hidden Columns are Unhidden: Once you select the “Unhide Columns” option, it will reveal any hidden columns in your worksheet.

Conclusion:

Unhiding columns in Excel is a straightforward process, whether you need to reveal a single hidden column or multiple consecutive ones. By following the methods described in this article, you can efficiently manage your worksheet and ensure that all your important data is easily accessible whenever you need it.