Excel: Showing Hidden Rows and Columns

General
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Hidden rows and columns in Excel can sometimes make it seem like your data has vanished! But don’t worry, Excel has a few easy ways to get them back. Here’s how you can unhide those missing rows and columns and get back to seeing all your data.

Unhiding Rows

It’s easy to tell if you have hidden rows. If you see a row number missing and a double line between the row numbers, that’s a sign that rows are hiding there.

Method 1: Using the Right-Click Menu

  1. Select the rows directly above and below the hidden row. For example, if row 2 is hidden between rows 1 and 3, select rows 1 and 3 by clicking on their row numbers.
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  2. Right-click on your selection. A context menu will appear. Click on the “Unhide” option. The hidden row will now be visible.
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Method 2: Using the Ribbon

  1. Select the rows above and below the hidden row, just like before.
  2. Go to the “Home” tab in the Excel ribbon.
  3. In the “Cells” group, click on “Format”.
  4. In the dropdown menu, hover over “Hide & Unhide”, and then select “Unhide Rows”.
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Method 3: Adjusting Row Height

  1. Place your cursor on the border separating the row numbers just above and below the hidden row. You’ll see the cursor change to a double-headed arrow.
  2. Click and drag downwards to increase the row height, revealing the hidden row.
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Unhiding Multiple Rows or All Rows

Need to unhide several rows at once? Here’s how to do that:

  1. Click the “Select All” button in the top-left corner of your worksheet (it’s the empty rectangle above row 1 and to the left of column A), or just hit Ctrl + A to select the entire sheet.
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  2. Right-click on any selected row number and choose “Unhide” from the context menu.
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Unhiding Columns

Just like rows, hidden columns can also hide your data. You can spot them when you notice missing column letters with a double line between column headers.

Method 1: Using the Right-Click Menu

  1. Select the columns on either side of the hidden column. For example, if column B is hidden between columns A and C, click on the column headers A and C.
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  2. Right-click on the selection, and choose “Unhide” from the menu. This will make the hidden column visible.
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Method 2: Using the Ribbon

  1. Select the columns around the hidden one.
  2. Go to the “Home” tab on the Excel ribbon.
  3. Click “Format” in the “Cells” group.
  4. Hover over “Hide & Unhide”, and then choose “Unhide Columns”.
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Method 3: Adjusting Column Width

  1. Position your cursor on the border between column headers, just to the left and right of the hidden column. You’ll see the cursor change to a double-headed arrow.
  2. Click and drag towards the right to increase the column’s width and reveal the hidden column.
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Unhiding Multiple Columns or All Columns

Here’s how to reveal multiple or all hidden columns:

  1. Click the “Select All” button at the top left corner of the worksheet where row numbers and column letters intersect, or use Ctrl + A to select the entire sheet.
  2. Right-click on any column header and then select “Unhide” from the context menu.