How to Unhide Columns in Excel
4 quick methods to reveal hidden columns and rows in your spreadsheets
Quick Answer
Fastest method: Select the columns on both sides of the hidden column (e.g., A and C if B is hidden) → Right-click → Choose Unhide.
Keyboard shortcut: Select columns → Press Ctrl + Shift + 0 (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + 0 (Mac)
Method 1: Right-Click Menu (Easiest)
For Columns:
- 1.Click on the column letter to the left of the hidden column
- 2.Hold Shift and click the column letter to the right
- 3.Right-click on the selected columns
- 4.Click Unhide from the context menu
Example: If column B is hidden, select columns A and C, then right-click and choose Unhide.
For Rows:
- 1.Click on the row number above the hidden row
- 2.Hold Shift and click the row number below
- 3.Right-click on the selected rows
- 4.Click Unhide
Best For:
- Unhiding single columns or rows
- When you know exactly which column/row is hidden
- Quick one-time unhiding
- Most intuitive method for beginners
Method 2: Keyboard Shortcuts (Fastest)
Windows
Unhide Columns:
Ctrl + Shift + 0Unhide Rows:
Ctrl + Shift + 9Mac
Unhide Columns:
Cmd + Shift + 0Unhide Rows:
Cmd + Shift + 9Step-by-Step:
- 1.Select the columns/rows surrounding the hidden ones
- 2.Press the appropriate keyboard shortcut
- 3.Hidden columns/rows will appear immediately
Note: On some Windows systems, Ctrl+Shift+0 may not work due to system shortcuts. Use the ribbon method instead.
Method 3: Home Tab Ribbon (Always Works)
For Columns:
- 1.Select columns on both sides of hidden column(s)
- 2.Click Home tab
- 3.Click Format in the Cells group
- 4.Under "Visibility", hover over Hide & Unhide
- 5.Click Unhide Columns
For Rows:
Same steps, but choose Unhide Rows in step 5.
Best For:
- When keyboard shortcuts don't work
- Learning Excel features through the ribbon
- Users who prefer visual menu navigation
- Guaranteed method that works in all versions
Method 4: Unhide All Columns or Rows at Once
Unhide ALL Columns:
- 1.Click the Select All button (triangle in top-left corner, between A and 1)
- 2.Right-click on any column letter
- 3.Click Unhide
Unhide ALL Rows:
- 1.Click the Select All button
- 2.Right-click on any row number
- 3.Click Unhide
Pro Tip: This is the fastest way to reveal all hidden content in a worksheet at once!
Best For:
- Revealing all hidden columns/rows in one action
- Inherited spreadsheets with unknown hidden data
- Data auditing and cleanup
- Starting fresh with a fully visible worksheet
Troubleshooting Tips
Can't see the Unhide option?
Make sure you've selected the columns/rows on BOTH sides of the hidden ones. If column B is hidden, you must select A and C together.
Column A is hidden?
Select the entire sheet (Select All button), then use Format → Hide & Unhide → Unhide Columns from the ribbon.
Row 1 is hidden?
Same as above - select entire sheet, then use Format → Hide & Unhide → Unhide Rows.
Keyboard shortcut not working?
Some system shortcuts override Excel shortcuts. Use the right-click method or ribbon instead.
Protected worksheet?
If the worksheet is protected, you'll need to unprotect it first:
Go to Review tab → Click Unprotect Sheet → Enter password if required