How to Hide an Excel Worksheet so Another User Can't Unhide It

Excel 2010 contains visiblity options that can hide a worksheet from view.

Microsoft Excel 2010 contains format options that limit how users view the worksheet and its data. For example, if a workbook contains one worksheet with confidential data, you can hide this worksheet from view. The "Home" tab on the command ribbon includes the "Format" button with visibility options. Removing the "Format" button from the Excel command ribbon may also deter other people from accessing this hidden worksheet.

Instructions

1. Open the Excel worksheet.

2. Click the sheet tab you wish to hide. If the tab is not visible at the bottom of the screen, click the tab scrolling button until the tab comes into view, then click the tab.

3. Click the "Home" tab on the command ribbon.

4. Click the down-arrow for the "Format" button in the "Cells" group. A list of options appears.

5. Click the "Hide & Unhide" option in the "Visibility" section.

6. Click the "Hide Sheet" option. The worksheet hides from view.

7. Customize the command ribbon so the "Cells" group and its "Format" button also hides from view by clicking the Excel "File" tab and the "Options" link. Click the "Customize Ribbon" button. Click the "Main Tabs" option in the "Customize the Ribbon" text box on the right.

8. Click the "Cells" group under the "Home" tab section. Click the "Remove" button between the left and right panes. Click "OK." The "Cells" group and the "Format" button that contains the "Unhide Sheet" option disappears from the command ribbon.

Tips & Warnings

• The "Format" button in the "Cells" group also contains the "Protect Sheet" command. This command can prevent unwanted changes to the worksheet's format or data. You can opt to insert a password to protect the sheet. You can also specify the formatting that is open for editing.

• To unhide the worksheet, click the "Home" tab. Click the down-arrow for "Format" in the "Cells" group. Click "Hide & Unhide" on the list. Click "Unhide Sheet." The "Unhide" text box opens. Select the hidden sheet from the list. Click "OK." The hidden worksheet appears.

References

• Microsoft Office: Hide or Show Worksheets or Workbooks
• Microsoft Office: Customize the Ribbon

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Microsoft Office: Show or Hide Columns and Rows