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How to Unhide Columns in Excel (Including Column A) – Step-by-Step Guide

Have you ever opened an Excel file and realized some columns are missing, and you can’t figure out how to get them back? It can be frustrating whether it’s a single hidden column or several, especially when the hidden data is crucial.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to unhide columns in Excel, including tricky cases like unhiding column A. We’ll walk through different methods—using the mouse, ribbon menu, and keyboard shortcuts—so you can choose the one that works best for you.

✅ Bonus: After mastering how to unhide columns, we’ll also show you how to hide columns in Excel the right way to keep your spreadsheets clean and easy to read.

🔍 Method 1: Unhide Columns Using the Mouse (Right-Click)

This is the easiest and most intuitive method for beginners.

✅ Steps:

  • Highlight the columns around the hidden one(s)
    For example, if column D is hidden, click and drag to select columns C and E.
selecting to unhide columns in Excel
  • Right-click on the selected columns
    This will open a shortcut menu.
  • Click “Unhide.”
    Excel will restore any hidden columns between your selected columns.
Unhide columns in Excel using the right click method

📝 Tip: If multiple columns are hidden, you can select a broader range (e.g., B to G) and unhide them all at once.

👉 Want to keep important columns visible while scrolling? Learn how to freeze rows and columns in Excel.

🧭 Method 2: Unhide Columns Using the Ribbon Menu

If you prefer using the ribbon controls, Excel has a built-in option for unhiding columns.

✅ Steps:

  • Select the columns around the hidden one(s)
    Just like before, if column F is hidden, select columns E and G.
  • Go to the Home tab on the ribbon.
  • In the Cells group, click Format.
  • Hover over Hide & Unhide, then select Unhide Columns from the dropdown.
Unhide Columns in Excel Using the Ribbon Menu

📌 This method is especially useful when you’re working on a protected or formatted worksheet and don’t want to rely on right-click shortcuts.

⌨️ Method 3: Unhide Columns Using a Keyboard Shortcut

For power users and those who prefer speed, keyboard shortcuts can save time.

✅ Unhide Columns Shortcut:

Windows: Ctrl + Shift + 0
Mac: Command + Shift + 0

🚨 Important Note for Windows Users:

The Ctrl + Shift + 0 shortcut may not work on some Windows systems due to group policy settings that block this shortcut by default.

To enable it:

  1. Open the Control Panel.
  2. Navigate to Clock and Region > Region > Administrative tab.
  3. Click Change system locale… and check Beta: Use Unicode UTF-8 if applicable.
  4. Or adjust settings via Group Policy Editor under: pgsqlCopyEditUser Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer Enable the setting: “Turn off Windows+X hotkeys” → Set to Disabled.

📝 If the shortcut doesn’t work and you can’t change system settings, stick with the mouse or ribbon method.

🔓 Method 4: Unhide All Columns at Once

If you’re not sure which columns are hidden or want to make everything visible again, this method is the fastest.

✅ Steps:

  1. Select the entire worksheet
    Press Ctrl + A (Windows) or Command + A (Mac) to select all cells.
  2. Right-click anywhere on a column header
    It doesn’t matter which one.
  3. Click “Unhide” from the shortcut menu.

All hidden columns in the sheet will reappear instantly.

💡 Pro Tip: If you’re frequently hiding and unhiding data, consider grouping columns instead—this gives you collapse/expand arrows instead of manually unhiding.

🧩 How to Unhide Column A in Excel

Column A is a special case—because it’s the very first column, you can’t just select a column to its left (since none exists). That’s why traditional methods don’t work here. But don’t worry—there are two easy ways to bring it back.

✅ Method 1: Select All and Unhide (Best for General Use)

This is the most foolproof way to unhide any hidden column, including Column A—especially if you don’t know which columns are hidden.

📝 Use this method when:

  • You want to unhide everything in the sheet.
  • You’re not sure which column is hidden.
  • You’re working quickly and don’t want to type.

Steps:

  1. Press Ctrl + A to select the entire sheet (or click the square between row 1 and column A).
  2. Right-click any column header.
  3. Choose Unhide.

💡 Tip: This also works for hidden columns deep in your worksheet—not just Column A.

✅ Method 2: Go To Cell A1 (Best when you only want to unhide Column A)

If you only want to unhide Column A and leave other hidden columns untouched, this method gives you more control.

📝 Use this method when:
  • You’re specifically targeting only Column A.
  • You don’t want to unhide other hidden columns accidentally.
  • You’re working on a sheet where hiding certain columns is intentional.

Steps:

  1. Click the Name Box (the input field to the left of the formula bar).
  2. Type A1 and press Enter. You’ve now selected the hidden column.
  3. With Column A selected, go to:
    • Home → Format → Hide & Unhide → Unhide Columns

⚠️ Excel doesn’t visually highlight Column A when it’s hidden, but once selected via the Name Box, the unhide option becomes active.

🛠️ Troubleshooting: Why Can’t I Unhide Columns in Excel?

Sometimes, columns refuse to unhide even after following the right steps. Here are the most common causes—and how to fix them:

❌ 1. Column Width Set to Zero Instead of Hidden

Sometimes a column isn’t technically hidden—it just has a width of 0.

Fix:

  • Select the columns around it.
  • Go to Home → Format → Column Width
  • Enter a value like 10 and click OK.

🔐 2. Worksheet is Protected

If a sheet is protected, Excel may block hiding/unhiding actions.

Fix:

  • Go to Review → Unprotect Sheet
  • Enter the password (if required), then try unhiding again.

⛔ 3. Group Policy Disables Shortcuts (Windows Only)

As mentioned earlier, if Ctrl + Shift + 0 doesn’t work, it may be disabled by your system settings or administrator.

Fix:

  • Use the right-click or Format menu method instead.
  • Or request access if you’re on a managed system (e.g., school or work computer).

👁️ Bonus: How to Hide Columns in Excel

Now that you know how to unhide columns in Excel, it’s just as useful to know how to hide them properly—whether it’s for cleaner reports, sensitive data, or temporarily removing distractions.

✅ Method 1: Hide Columns with Right-Click

  1. Select the column(s) you want to hide by clicking the column header(s).
  2. Right-click on the selection.
  3. Click Hide from the menu.
hide and unhide columns in excel (illustration)

💡 This is the fastest method for hiding one or multiple adjacent columns.

✅ Method 2: Hide Columns via Ribbon Menu

  1. Go to the Home tab.
  2. In the Cells group, click Format.
  3. Hover over Hide & Unhide, then click Hide Columns.

✅ Method 3: Hide Columns with a Shortcut

  • Select the column(s) you want to hide.
  • Press Ctrl + 0 (Windows) or Command + 0 (Mac).

⚠️ On some Windows systems, Ctrl + 0 might be disabled by default. If it doesn’t work, use the right-click or ribbon method.

✅ Conclusion

Unhiding columns in Excel, especially tricky ones like Column A, can seem confusing at first, but with the right method, it only takes a few clicks or shortcuts. Whether you’re working on reports, cleaning up data, or fixing a formatting mistake, these techniques will help you navigate Excel like a pro.

And now that you also know how to hide columns intentionally, your spreadsheets will be easier to manage, present, and protect.