[Fixed!] Excel Sheet Not Visible When Opened (6 Solutions)

Get FREE Advanced Excel Exercises with Solutions!

Excel users are sometimes faced with the problem of invisible Excel sheets. Despite their best efforts, they can not figure out this confounding problem. They just can not make their worksheet visible. In this article, we will discuss 6 possible solutions to the Excel sheet not visible when opened problem.

To demonstrate the problem, we use the following worksheet. The worksheet is apparently not visible. We will try to find and explain probable solutions to the problem of Excel sheet not visible when opened.

Sample Data


1. Hidden Excel Sheets Not Visible When Opened

Often, Excel users hide the worksheet and forget to unhide it. This makes the Excel sheet invisible. Follow the following steps to unhide the Excel sheet using the Unhide command to make the Excel sheet visible which when opened is not visible previously.

Steps:

  • Firstly, go to the View tab in the ribbon.
  • Then, from the Window group select the Unhide command.
  • Consequently, a dialogue box will appear.

6 Possible Solutions If Excel Sheet Not Visible When Opened

  • Then, select the hidden sheet and click OK.

6 Possible Solutions If Excel Sheet Not Visible When Opened

  • As a result, you will be able to see your worksheet.

6 Possible Solutions If Excel Sheet Not Visible When Opened


2. Minimizing & Maximizing Excel Window can Solve this Problem

If the previous steps do not help, try the following simple trick to solve the problem of the Excel sheet not visible when opened. This is just one way of refreshing your worksheet. Follow the ensuing steps to do that.

Steps:

  • Firstly, click on the minimize button at the top right corner of the Excel sheet.
  • Consequently, your worksheet will be minimized.

6 Possible Solutions If Excel Sheet Not Visible When Opened

  • Then, from the taskbar select the Excel icon to maximize the tab.
  • This may solve the problem.

6 Possible Solutions If Excel Sheet Not Visible When Opened


3. Enabling DDE (Dynamic Data Exchange) can make Excel Sheet Visible When Opened

If the previous two ways fail, do not panic. An Excel sheet may be not visible when opened for multiple reasons. In this solution, we will enable Dynamic Data Exchange(DDE). A dynamic data exchange (DDE) message is sent to Excel when you double-click an Excel workbook in Windows Explorer. This message instructs Excel to launch the double-clicked workbook. Follow the subsequent steps to carry this out.

Steps:

  • Firstly, go to the File tab in the ribbon.

6 Possible Solutions If Excel Sheet Not Visible When Opened

  • Secondly, select the Options.

6 Possible Solutions If Excel Sheet Not Visible When Opened

  • Firstly, from the Excel Options select Advanced.
  • Secondly, scroll down to the General options.
  • Thirdly, uncheck the box beside the Ignore other applications that use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) option.
  • Finally, click OK.

6 Possible Solutions If Excel Sheet Not Visible When Opened

Note:

For Excel 2019, Excel LTSC 2021, and Excel O365, this method can be skipped.


4. Changing File Opening Application can Solve “Excel Sheet Not Visible When Opened” Issue

Often, it happens that the user opens the Excel sheet in the wrong application. This could be a potential reason for the Excel sheet not being visible when opened. Follow the upcoming steps to resolve this problem.

Steps:

  • To begin with, right-click on the Excel sheet that is not visible.
  • From the drop-down options, select Properties.
  • Consequently, a dialogue box will appear.

6 Possible Solutions If Excel Sheet Not Visible When Opened

  • In the dialogue box, select the Change tab to the right of the Opens with option.

6 Possible Solutions If Excel Sheet Not Visible When Opened

  • Then, from the application options, select Excel as the opening application.
  • Finally, click OK.

6 Possible Solutions If Excel Sheet Not Visible When Opened

  • After that, select Apply in the Properties dialogue box.
  • Then, click OK.

6 Possible Solutions If Excel Sheet Not Visible When Opened


5. Repairing Office

If all the previous methods do not come to any aid, we need to repair Microsoft Office. This could fix the bug in the program and make the Excel sheet which was previously not visible, visible when opened. Follow the steps below to accomplish it.

Steps:

  • Firstly, go to the Start window.
  • Then, click on Settings.

Sample Data

  • After that, from Settings select the Apps tab.

Sample Data

  • From the Apps & features window, find Microsoft 365 Apps.
  • Then, click on Modify.

Sample Data

  • From the dialogue box, firstly, select the Online Repair option
  • Then, click Repair.
  • Finally, restart your system.

Sample Data


6. Disable Add-Ins to make Excel Sheet Visible When Opened

Our final solution to solve the problem of the Excel sheet not visible when opened is to uncheck some of the Add-Ins. This will unload the worksheet and may solve our problem. Follow the subsequent steps to do that.

Steps:

  • Go to the File tab in the ribbon.

Sample Data

  • Then, select the Options.

Sample Data

  • After that, click on  Add-ins.
  • Then, in the outstretched window, go down the bottom to the Manage tab.
  • From there, select the Com Add-ins.
  • Finally, click Go.

Sample Data

  • As a result, a dialogue box will appear.
  • From the dialogue box, uncheck the add-in boxes one by one.
  • Then, click OK.

Sample Data

Read More: How to Hide and Unhide Excel Worksheets from a Workbook


Download Practice Workbook


Conclusion

The methods mentioned above are some of the potential ways to resolve the problem. If none of this works, then make sure that Excel is compatible with your PC. Then, you should check with Microsoft Support for the solution.


Related Articles


<< Go Back to Hide-Unhide | Worksheets | Learn Excel

What is ExcelDemy?

ExcelDemy - Learn Excel & Get Excel Solutions Center provides online Excel training , Excel consultancy services , free Excel tutorials, free support , and free Excel Templates for Excel professionals and businesses. Feel free to contact us with your Excel problems.
Adnan Masruf
Adnan Masruf

Adnan Masruf, holding a BSc in Naval Architecture & Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, plays a pivotal role as an Excel & VBA Content Developer at ExcelDemy. His deep passion for research and innovation seamlessly aligns with his dedication to Excel. In this capacity, Masruf not only skillfully addresses challenging issues but also exhibits enthusiasm and expertise in gracefully navigating intricate situations, underscoring his steadfast commitment to consistently delivering exceptional content. His interests... Read Full Bio

We will be happy to hear your thoughts

Leave a reply

Advanced Excel Exercises with Solutions PDF

 

 

ExcelDemy
Logo