This article explains how to hide or unhide rows in the desktop version of Google Sheets, which is accessed through a web browser. This instructions do not apply to the Google Sheets mobile app.

What to Know

  • Select the rows in Google Sheets by holding Shift and choosing the row numbers in the left column to highlight the rows.Right-click the highlighted rows. Select Hide rows X-Y to hide the rows. Arrows appear in the left column indicating the hidden rows.Unhide the rows by positioning the pointer over one arrow. In the arrow bar, choose one of the arrows to unhide the rows.

How to Hide Rows in Google Sheets

Spreadsheets can help you examine information in various configurations to consider different possibilities. If you use Google Sheets, hiding rows is one of the features that help you do this.

In this example, the salespeople are listed from the longest to the shortest time with the company. We want to see sales figures without those of the two most recent hires, Allison and Mike. Here’s how to do it. 

  • Open your Google Sheets file as you normally would.
  • Select one or more rows by holding the Shift key and clicking on the numbers in the left column. Here we’ve selected rows 8 and 9. All the data in the row(s) should be highlighted.
  • With the row(s) still highlighted, right-click anywhere in the row(s).
  • From the menu, select Hide rows X-Y, where X and Y represent the numbers of the first and last rows you highlighted. In this example, you choose Hide rows 8-9.
  • You should no longer see the row(s) you selected, but you can see arrows in the numbers of the rows above and below.
  • View your spreadsheet without seeing the information in those rows.

How to Unhide Rows in Google Sheets

When you’re done viewing information with some of the rows hidden, it’s easy to see them again. 

Open your Google Sheets file as you normally would. 

Select one or more rows by holding the Shift key and clicking on the numbers in the left column. Here we’ve selected rows 8 and 9. All the data in the row(s) should be highlighted. 

With the row(s) still highlighted, right-click anywhere in the row(s).

From the menu, select Hide rows X-Y, where X and Y represent the numbers of the first and last rows you highlighted. In this example, you choose Hide rows 8-9.

You should no longer see the row(s) you selected, but you can see arrows in the numbers of the rows above and below.

View your spreadsheet without seeing the information in those rows.

  • Open your Google Sheets file as you normally would.
  • Find the arrows in the numbered column to the left, above and below the hidden rows, and hover your pointer over one of them.
  • When the arrow bar appears, click one of the arrows, and the hidden rows become visible.

How to Find Hidden Information in Google Sheets

Another way data can be hidden in Google Sheets is with filters. Say your boss shares a Google Sheets file with you and asks you to run an analysis on information that you just can’t find, even by using the search function. In this example, we’re missing the “Tom” row. It’s possible this is happening because there’s a filter in place.

Open your Google Sheets file as you normally would.

Find the arrows in the numbered column to the left, above and below the hidden rows, and hover your pointer over one of them. 

When the arrow bar appears, click one of the arrows, and the hidden rows become visible.

If you see different coloring (usually dark gray) and filter information above the columns, and different coloring in the numbered column to the left of the rows, you’re dealing with a filter. To reverse this condition, click the X on the right side of the bar with the filter information. Now you should be able to find your “missing” data with no problem.

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