How to Unhide Columns in Excel (2026)
A hidden column shows up as a skipped letter in the header (e.g., the sequence jumps A, B, D) and a slightly thicker border between columns. Unhiding it takes a couple of clicks — except column A, which needs a small trick. Here’s every case.
1. Unhide a Column Between Two Others
- Select the column to the left of the hidden one and drag to the column to its right, so both surrounding columns are highlighted.
- Right-click the selected headers and choose Unhide.
The hidden column reappears. (You can also double-click the thin border between the two visible headers.)
2. Unhide Column A
Column A has nothing to its left, so you can’t bracket it. Instead:
- In the Name Box (left of the formula bar), type
A1and press Enter — this selects the hidden column A. - Go to Home > Format > Hide & Unhide > Unhide Columns.
Column A reappears.
3. Unhide All Columns at Once
- Select the entire sheet — click the corner button above row 1, or press Ctrl+A.
- Home > Format > Hide & Unhide > Unhide Columns (or right-click any column header and choose Unhide).
Every hidden column comes back.
4. The Shortcut
With the surrounding columns selected, press:
- Windows:
Ctrl + Shift + 0 - Mac: the menu method above is most reliable (the shortcut is sometimes claimed by the operating system).
5. Troubleshooting
The column still won’t show
Its width may be set to 0 rather than hidden. Select across it, then Home > Format > Column Width, type a value like 8.43, and click OK.
Ctrl+Shift+0 does nothing
The shortcut is disabled by default in some Windows setups. Use the right-click Unhide or the Format menu instead.
Columns are “frozen,” not hidden
If columns won’t scroll into view, they may be frozen. Go to View > Freeze Panes > Unfreeze Panes.
Whole sheet looks cut off
You might be filtering, not hiding. Check Data > Filter and clear any active filters.
Related Excel guides: How to remove blank rows · How to wrap text · How to merge cells · How to lock cells · How to remove duplicates
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