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Grouping and Ungrouping Columns in Excel (Easy Guide)

In this article, you will be introduced to a simple method to group columns and remove grouping for columns in excel.

Why do columns need to be grouped in Excel?

Collapsing columns in Excel can be helpful for several reasons:

Organizing data: Grouping columns allows you to visually organize your data in a more manageable and structured way. For example, you may group several columns together to represent a specific category or theme, such as financial information or employee data.

Hiding columns: Collapsing columns can also be useful for hiding specific columns that you don't want to display at the moment. By grouping those columns together, you can easily hide or unhide the entire group with a single click, instead of individually hiding each column.

Grouping columns in Excel (Step-by-step guide with pictures)

Step 1: Select the columns that you wish to group

Learn how to easily select multiple adjacent columns in Excel here: How to Select Multiple Columns in Excel

Step 2: Select the ‘Data’ ribbon on the Excel toolbar

Step 3: Click on the ‘Outline’ tab and select the ‘Group’ option

Image displaying the steps to be followed to group columns in Excel

The columns selected in step 1 will be grouped as shown below.

Image displaying two columns grouped together in Excel

The “-” sign and “+” sign will help you collapse and expand the grouped columns. Alternatively, the “1” and “2” signs on the top of the column header section can also be used to collapse and expand the grouped columns.

Image displaying signs that can be used to collapse and expand grouped columns in Excel

Note: The above steps can also be performed using keyboard shortcuts on Windows as follows:

Step 1: Select the columns that you wish to group

Learn how to easily select multiple adjacent columns in Excel here: How to Select Multiple Columns in Excel

Step 2: Press on the “ALT” + “A” + “G” + “G” keys. Alternatively, you can press and hold the “SHIFT” + “ALT” + “Right Arrow” keys.

The columns selected in step 1 will be grouped.

Ungrouping columns in Excel (Picture tutorial)

Step 1: Select the grouped columns that you wish to ungroup

Learn how to easily select multiple adjacent columns in Excel here: How to Select Multiple Columns in Excel

Step 2: Select the ‘Data’ ribbon on the Excel toolbar

Step 3: Click on the ‘Outline’ tab and select the ‘Ungroup’ option as shown below

Image displaying the steps to be followed to ungroup columns in Excel

The columns selected in step 1 will be ungrouped.

Note: The above steps can also be performed using keyboard shortcuts on Windows as follows:

Step 1: Select the grouped columns whose grouping you wish to remove

Learn how to easily select multiple adjacent columns in Excel here: How to Select Multiple Columns in Excel

Step 2: Press on the “ALT” + “A” + “ZO” + “U” + “U” keys. Alternatively, you can press and hold the “SHIFT” + “ALT” + “Left Arrow” keys.

The columns selected in step 1 will be ungrouped.

 

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