How to Hide Unused Columns in Excel (5 Quick Tricks)

There are so many built-in Columns in Excel. Most of the time, you don’t need to use all those Columns. In such cases, you may hide unused Columns in Excel.  Also, sometimes you may need to hide unused Columns to prevent others from seeing the data to others. In this article, I’m going to explain how to hide unused Columns in Excel. 

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5 Methods to Hide Unused Columns in Excel

Here, I will describe 5 methods to hide unused Columns in Excel. In addition, for your better understanding, I’m going to use the following dataset. Which contains 4 columns. They are Product, Cost, Sales, and Profit.

1. Use of Context Menu Bar to Hide Unused Columns in Excel

You can use the Context Menu Bar to hide unused Columns in Excel. Here, you can see that I have used Columns only B:E. Furthermore, the rest of the Columns from F are unused in the following dataset.

The steps to hide unused Columns in Excel are given below.

Steps:

• Firstly, you should select the Column which is adjacent to the used Columns. Here, I have selected the F Column. In addition, if you have data in random Columns then you should select the Columns using the CTRL key.  
• Secondly, to select the rest of the Columns you may use the Keyboard Shortcuts CTRL+SHIFT+Right Arrow.

• Now, you must Right-Click on any selected Column to open the Context Menu Bar.
• Then, from the Context Menu Bar >> you have to select the Hide option.

Finally, you will see the following result with hidden Columns.

Read More: How to Hide Extra Columns in Excel (4 Easy Ways)

2. Applying Keyboard Shortcuts

You can apply the Keyboard Shortcuts to hide unused Columns in Excel. Here, you can see that I have used Columns only B:E. Furthermore, the rest of the Columns from F are unused in the following dataset. The steps are given below.

Steps:

• Firstly, you should select the Column which is adjacent to the used Columns. Here, I have selected the F Column. In addition, if you have data in random Columns then you should select the Columns using the CTRL key.  
• Secondly, to select the rest of the Columns you may use the Keyboard Shortcuts CTRL+SHIFT+Right Arrow.

• At this time, you should press the Excel keyboard shortcuts CTRL+0.

Lastly, you will get the data with hidden Columns.

Read More: How to Hide Multiple Columns in Excel (5 Easy Methods)

3. Using Format Options to Hide Unused Columns in Excel

In addition, you can use the Format options to hide unused Columns in Excel. Here, you can see that I have used Columns only B:E. Furthermore, the rest of the Columns from F are unused in the following dataset. The steps are given below.

Steps:

• Firstly, you should select the Column which is adjacent to the used Columns. Here, I have selected the F Column. In addition, if you have data in random Columns then you should select the Columns using the CTRL key.  
• Secondly, to select the rest of the Columns you may use the Keyboard Shortcuts CTRL+SHIFT+Right Arrow.
• Thirdly, from the Home tab >> you may go to the Cells command.
• Finally, from the Format feature >> you need to choose the Hide & Unhide option.

• After that, you must choose Hide Columns.

Finally, you will see the following result with hidden Columns.

Read More: How to Hide and Unhide Columns in Excel (7 Quick Methods)

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4. Employing Group Feature

Another way is to employ the Group feature to hide the unused Columns in Excel. The Steps are given below.

Steps:

• At first, you should select the unused Columns. Here, you can use the CTRL key to select the Columns. 

But, as I want to hide all of the Columns F:XFD, thus I have selected the adjacent Column F to the used Columns. Then, use the Keyboard Shortcuts CTRL+SHIFT+Right Arrow to select the rest of the cells.

• After selection, from the Data tab >> you need to go to the Outline feature.
• Then, either you may press the Group feature directly or you may choose the Group option under the Group feature.

At this time, you will see the following situation.

• Now, you need to press 1 Bar.

Finally, you will see the result.

Read More: How to Group and Hide Columns in Excel (3 Easy Methods)

5. Use of VBA Code to Hide Unused Columns in Excel

You can employ a VBA code as well as. The steps are given below.

Steps:

• Firstly, you have to choose the Developer tab >> then select Visual Basic.

• Now, from the Insert tab >> select Module.

• At this time, you need to write down the following Code in the Module.

Sub Hide_Unused_Columns()
    Columns("F:XFD").Hidden = True
End Sub

• Now, you have to Save the code and then go back to Excel File.

• After that, from the Developer tab >> you need to select Macros.

• Then, select Macro (Hide_Unused_Columns) and click on Run.

Lastly, you will see that Columns F:XFD are hidden.

Read More: Excel VBA to Hide Columns Based on Criteria (6 Useful Examples)

💬 Things to Remember

• To unhide the hidden Columns you can select the whole sheet and then keep the Mouse Pointer to any Column Head. After that, from the Context Menu Bar >> you need to select the Unhide option.

Conclusion

I hope you found this article helpful. Here, I have explained 5 methods of How to Hide Unused Columns in Excel. You can visit our website ExcelDemy to learn more Excel-related content. Please, drop comments, suggestions, or queries if you have any in the comment section below.

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