If you work with Excel regularly, you’ve probably faced this situation: a column suddenly disappears, your data doesn’t look complete, or formulas stop matching up. Most of the time, the issue is simple — the column is hidden.
Hidden columns in Excel are common, particularly when working with large spreadsheets or files shared among multiple users. The good news? Unhiding columns is easy once you know the right steps.
In this guide, you’ll learn all the methods to unhide columns in Excel, including keyboard shortcuts, menu options, and fixes when the “Unhide” option doesn’t work.
Why Columns Get Hidden in Excel
Before jumping into the steps, it’s useful to understand why columns get hidden:
- You or someone else manually hid them
- Columns were hidden to make the sheet cleaner
- Templates sometimes hide columns by default
- Protected or locked sheets
- Columns are too narrow to be visible
- Data was filtered
Now let’s move to the solutions.
1. How to Unhide Columns Using Right-Click
This is the easiest and most commonly used method.
Steps:
- Select the columns on both sides of the hidden column
(Example: If column C is hidden, select B and D) - Right-click on the selected area
- Click Unhide
Your column will instantly reappear.
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2. How to Unhide Columns Using the Ribbon (Format Menu)
Excel gives a dedicated option for unhiding.
Steps:
- Go to the Home tab
- Click Format (in the Cells group)
- Under Hide & Unhide, select Unhide Columns
This method is helpful when working with multiple hidden columns.
3. How to Unhide All Columns at Once
If you think multiple columns are hidden and want everything back:
Steps:
- Press Ctrl + A to select the entire sheet
- Right-click any column header
- Choose Unhide
This restores all hidden columns across the sheet.
4. How to Unhide Columns Using Keyboard Shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts make the workflow faster.
Shortcut:
Press:
Ctrl + Shift + 0
?? Note: On some Windows versions, this shortcut is disabled due to region/keyboard settings. If it doesn’t work, use other methods.
5. How to Unhide Columns When the First Column (A) Is Hidden
Column A is tricky — you can’t select the column to its left.
Steps:
- Click inside the Name Box (top-left corner, above row numbers)
- Type: A1
- Press Enter
- Now go to the Home ? Format ? Unhide Columns
Column A will appear again.
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6. How to Unhide Columns Using the “Go To” Option
Useful when a column is narrowly hidden or not visible.
Steps:
- Press Ctrl + G or F5
- Type the hidden column’s cell reference (e.g., C1)
- Press Enter
- Click on Home ? Format ? Unhide Columns
7. How to Unhide Columns in Excel for Mac
For Mac users:
Steps:
- Select surrounding columns
- Right-click ? Unhide
OR - Use the menu: Home ? Format ? Hide & Unhide ? Unhide Columns
Shortcut for Mac:
Cmd + Shift + 0
8. How to Unhide Columns in Excel Online (Web Version)
Steps:
- Select the columns before and after the hidden column
- Right-click
- Choose Unhide
The web version does not support all shortcuts, so right-click is the best method.
9. Why You Can’t Unhide Columns
Sometimes “Unhide” doesn’t work. Here’s why and how to fix it.
? Protected Sheet
If the sheet is protected, you can’t unhide anything.
Fix:
Go to Review ? Unprotect Sheet (enter password if required)
? Column Width Set to 0
The column might not be hidden — it might just be too narrow.
Fix:
- Select the column
- Right-click ? Column Width
- Enter 10
? Freeze Panes Blocking Visibility
If Freeze Panes is active, some columns may appear missing.
Fix:
Go to View ? Freeze Panes ? Unfreeze Panes
? Filters Hiding Columns
Active filters can hide data.
Fix:
Go to Data ? Clear Filter
10. How to Hide and Unhide Columns Quickly (Pro Tips)
Hide Column:
Ctrl + 0
Unhide Column:
Ctrl + Shift + 0
Adjust Width Faster:
Double-click the right edge of the column header to auto-fit.
Also Read: Excel Interview Questions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Why can’t I unhide columns using Ctrl + Shift + 0?
Windows may have this shortcut disabled. You must enable it through the Registry or simply use the right-click or menu method.
2. How do I unhide Column A if it is hidden?
Type A1 in the Name Box ? Press Enter ? Go to Format ? Unhide Columns.
3. How do I unhide multiple columns at once?
Select all columns (Ctrl + A) ? Right-click ? Unhide.
4. Can filters hide columns?
Yes. Clearing or adjusting filters will restore visibility.
5. How do I unhide columns on Excel for Mac?
Select nearby columns ? Right-click ? Unhide or use shortcut Cmd + Shift + 0.
Final Thoughts
Unhiding columns in Excel is simple once you understand the right method — whether it’s a basic right-click, a shortcut, or a fix for protected sheets. With these steps, you can manage hidden data more confidently and avoid confusion while working with large spreadsheets.
