Spreadsheets can help you explore information in different configurations to consider different possibilities. If you use Google Sheets, hiding rows is one feature that will help you do this. You can hide columns or rows of information to view a larger picture without a specific item visible. The disadvantage of using this handy trick is that you might forget what you hid and then wonder where it went.
So, how can you unhide columns and rows in Google Sheets? It’s simple enough and works the same whether in a browser on a Mac or PC or in the Google Sheets app on your mobile device, although you can also right-click on your computer to bring up another option to unhide.
Here is how to unhide a column or row in Google Sheets.
How to unhide a column or row in Google Sheets
If you notice that a column or row in your document is hidden in Google Sheets, it is most likely because the labeled column is missing. For example, C through E, or in the case of rows, there may be a missing row between 4 and 6. The missing entries are hidden. More importantly, you should see little arrows on either side of the hidden labels.
If you want to unhide a column or row in Google Sheets, you have to follow these steps:
- Go to the document.
- Find the arrows in the numbered column on the left, above and below the hidden rows and hover the mouse pointer over one of them.
- When the arrow panel appears, click one of the arrows and the hidden rows will become visible.
- If you are using the PC version, another way to remove the hiding is to select the range of columns on either side of the hidden column, right-click and select “Unhide Columns”.
How to hide a column or row in Google Sheets
Imagine that you have a huge spreadsheet with sales data on managers from every region of the country and in different sales segments/categories. Often you will have the need to look at past sales statistics for the right regions, the right managers, and the right catalog segments. If you have a very large spreadsheet, your eyes will get scattered and you’ll lose track of which column or row you’re looking at each time. That’s why we need a feature to hide “unnecessary” columns or rows.
So, if you want to hide a column or row in Google Sheets, you have to follow these steps:
- First of all, open the Google Sheets document you want to edit.
- Then, right-click on the column or row name and, in the pop-up menu that opens, select “Hide column” or “Hide row”.
Once you have completed these steps, you will see the two arrows icon instead of a column or row. To hide and make visible multiple columns or rows, you need to select two or more columns or rows at once and do the same steps as with a single column or row.
