Rows, columns and sheets shortcuts
Shortcuts to hide and unhide rows and columns in Excel
The keys
| Shortcut | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Hide the selected rows | Ctrl+9 | Control+9 or Command+( or Control+( |
| Hide the selected columns | Ctrl+0 | Control+0 or Command+) or Control+) |
| Unhide rowsMicrosoft's current Windows list has no unhide shortcut. Select the rows on both sides of the hidden ones first. | —No Windows shortcut in Microsoft's listWeb Ctrl+Shift+9 | Control+Shift+( or Shift+Command+( |
| Unhide columnsMicrosoft's current Windows list has no unhide shortcut. Select the columns on both sides of the hidden ones first. | —No Windows shortcut in Microsoft's listWeb Ctrl+Shift+0 | Control+Shift+) or Shift+Command+) |
Checked against Microsoft's official lists on . Where Microsoft lists a key for one platform only, the other column says so instead of guessing.
Unhide on Windows
Microsoft's current Windows list has no unhide shortcut. Select the rows or columns on both sides of the hidden ones (or press Ctrl+A for everything), then right-click a header and choose Unhide. With the keyboard, open the menu with Shift+F10 and choose Unhide.
Many older lists give Ctrl+Shift+9 for unhiding rows and Ctrl+Shift+0 for columns on Windows. On many Windows PCs Ctrl+Shift+0 does nothing, because Windows can use that combination to switch keyboard layouts, so use the menu route.
Hide vs group
Hidden rows are easy to miss: the only sign is a jump in the row numbers. If people need to open and close a section, group it instead, which adds a plus and minus button. See the group rows shortcut.
When unhide does not work
- You did not select across the hidden rows. Select the row above and the row below them first.
- Row 1 or column A is hidden: there is nothing above it to select. Press Ctrl+G, type A1 and press Enter, then use Home > Format > Hide & Unhide.
- The row has a height of almost zero instead of being hidden. Select across it and set a row height.
- The rows are filtered out, not hidden. Clear the filter with Ctrl+Shift+L.
Why a shortcut sometimes does nothing
Non-US keyboards
Microsoft's lists are written for the US keyboard layout and say that keys on other layouts might not correspond exactly. Shortcuts named after a symbol, such as Ctrl+;, Ctrl+` or Ctrl+Shift+$, are the ones most likely to sit somewhere else or not work. When one does nothing, use the ribbon route on its task page instead.
Another program took the shortcut
Some background apps, such as screen recorders, graphics-driver tools and clipboard managers, register global hotkeys. If one shortcut stopped working everywhere at once, close those apps one at a time to find the culprit. Starting Excel in Safe Mode (hold Ctrl while it opens on Windows) also tells you whether an Excel add-in is the cause.
Related shortcuts
| Shortcut | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Select the entire row How to: Insert row shortcut in Excel | Shift+Space | Shift+Space |
| Select the entire column How to: Insert row shortcut in Excel On a Mac, Control+Space also switches input sources in macOS. If it does that, turn the macOS shortcut off in System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts. | Ctrl+Space | Control+Space |
| Group the selected rows or columns How to: Group rows and columns shortcut in Excel Microsoft's Windows list has no key for this; use Data > Group. | —No Windows shortcut in Microsoft's list | Command+Shift+K |
| Show or hide the outline symbols How to: Group rows and columns shortcut in Excel | Ctrl+8 | Control+8 |
FAQ
What is the shortcut to hide rows in Excel?
Ctrl+9 on Windows, Mac and Excel for the web. On a Mac, Microsoft also lists Cmd+( for hiding a row.
What is the shortcut to hide columns?
Ctrl+0 (zero). On a Mac, Microsoft also lists Cmd+).
How do I unhide all rows?
Press Ctrl+A (Cmd+A) to select the sheet, then right-click a row number and choose Unhide. On a Mac, Ctrl+Shift+( works on the whole selection.
Why does Ctrl+Shift+0 not unhide columns?
On many Windows PCs that combination switches the keyboard layout before Excel sees it, and Microsoft's current Windows list has no unhide shortcut. Use right-click > Unhide.
Related guides
- How to sum only visible cells in ExcelUse =SUBTOTAL(109,E2:E11).
- How to lock cells with formulas in ExcelUnlock the cells people should type in (Ctrl+1 > Protection > untick Locked), then turn on Review > Protect Sheet.
Related functions
In the glossary: Name Box
All rows, columns and sheets shortcutsAll Excel shortcutsPrintable sheet