Hiding rows and columns does not have to be just for concealing data or formulas.

■ EXAMPLE:This spreadsheet only uses rows through 15 and through column G. Hide all unused rows and columns.

Follow this simple process to hide all unused rows.

1. Select the row header just beneath the used area of your spreadsheet, where you want to start hiding rows (in this case at row 16).

2. Press Ctrl + Shift + Down Arrow. This will highlight everything from your selected row through the bottom of the worksheet.

3. Select the Format menu, choose Row, then Hide.

Note the results at right where rows 16 to 65536 are now hidden.

Hide Rows, Columns or Formulas for Cleaner, Secure Worksheets

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TIP 7

MICROSOFT® EXCEL TIPS & TRICKS PRACTICE NOTES | TIP 7 • 1

How to easily hide unused rows and columns as well as formulas that you don’t want others to see

MICROSOFT® EXCEL TIPS & TRICKS PRACTICE NOTES | TIP 7 • 2

Hide Rows, Columns or Formulas for Cleaner, Secure Worksheets

Follow this same simple process to hide all unused columns.

1. Select the column header just to the right of the used area of your spreadsheet, where you want to start hiding columns (in this case at column H).

2. Press Ctrl + Shift + Right Arrow. This will highlight everything from your selected column through the right end of the worksheet.

3. Select Format menu, choose Column, then Hide.

Note the results, where all columns to the right of G are hidden.

This process will be especially useful when your worksheet or report is very large, as it will be much more convenient for users to focus on the report itself and not worry about the unused portion of the worksheet.

You can also “protect” the worksheet or workbook to prevent users from unhiding these columns or rows.

MICROSOFT® EXCEL TIPS & TRICKS PRACTICE NOTES | TIP 7 • 3

Hide Rows, Columns or Formulas for Cleaner, Secure Worksheets

MICROSOFT® EXCEL TIPS & TRICKS PRACTICE NOTES | TIP 7 • 3

If you ever have the need to unhide the columns or rows, simply click the “select all” button in the upper left corner of the worksheet. This selects the entire worksheet.

Choose Format, Row, Unhide to unhide all the rows. Repeat the same process using the “select all” button again and choose Format, Column, Unhide to unhide all the columns.

Next we will hide a formula that you may not want others to see.

■ EXAMPLE: In this example we will hide the VLOOKUP

formula in cells C5:C15 so that it cannot be seen.

1. Select the formula or formulas.

2. On the menu, click Cells...

MICROSOFT® EXCEL TIPS & TRICKS PRACTICE NOTES | TIP 7 • 4

Hide Rows, Columns or Formulas for Cleaner, Secure Worksheets

3. In the Format Cells dialog box, click the Protection tab and then place a check mark next to the Hidden check box as shown below, then click the OK button.

■ REVIEW:How to protect the worksheet.

1. On the menu, click Protection and then Protect Sheet...

2. In the Protect Sheet dialog box, make any selections that might apply and then type a password in the Password to unprotect sheet: box provided.

3. In the Confirm Password dialog box, repeat the exact same password in the Reenter password to proceed. box and click the OK button.

Note that the formulas in cells C5:C15 are completely hidden from view both in the formula bar and in the cell. If a user clicks in the cell, note the information box that is displayed.

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