Hiding columns in Excel provides the user with a convenient way of skipping from column to column to read data without the need to plough through all the unnecessary data in-between. Unhiding columns is simply the process of restoring the worksheet to its original condition.
The steps below will guide you through these processes.

IMPORTANT NOTE: As With Any Procedure Involving Highlighting, (Selecting), Remember To Remove All Highlighting, (Selection), With The Press Of An Arrow Key once the procedure has been completed To Avoid Data Loss.

1. In order to hide a column, you need to select it.
2. Do this by using the “Shift+Right Arrow” keystroke.
3. For instance, in our Mock Address sheet, which you can download here, let’s say we only want the Surname, Forename & Telephone columns displayed.
4. So you would highlight the cells from C1 to G1 using the “shift+Right Arrow” keystroke.
5. Now press “Alt+o” followed by a “c” followed by an “H”.
6. Remember as always when highlighting, (selecting), to remove the highlighting with the push of an arrow key afterwards.
7. Columns C through G have now been hidden, leaving only surname, forename and Tel visible and readable.
8. There are two ways of unhiding, (revealing), the columns.
9. You can simply close the worksheet without saving and when the sheet is reopened it will revert to normal.
10. Or, you can highlight the cells B1 through H1, (only two visible cells remember) and do the following.
11. Press “alt+o” followed by a “C” followed by a “U”.
12. Your sheet will now be restored.

Greg Hamilton

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