Removing Filters and Unhiding Rows and Columns on Multiple Worksheets

by Allen Wyatt
(last updated May 14, 2016)

2

Rob has a workbook that contains multiple worksheets. He would like to know the easiest way to remove filters and unhide rows and columns in all the worksheets at once.

One would think that it would be possible to do this manually by building a "selection set" of all the worksheets you want to affect, and then removing filters. While you can use this approach for unhiding rows, you cannot affect filters—once you select more than a single worksheet, the Filter tool (on the Data tab of the ribbon) is no longer selectable.

This means that you must use a macro to do the work—unless you want to remove filters one worksheet at a time. Here is a short little macro that will remove any filters applied to any worksheets in the workbook:

Sub RemoveFilters()
    Dim wks As Worksheet

    Application.ScreenUpdating = False
    For Each wks In ThisWorkbook.Worksheets
        If wks.AutoFilterMode Then wks.AutoFilterMode = False
    Next wks
    Application.ScreenUpdating = True
End Sub

If the hidden rows and columns are a result of the filters you applied, those rows and columns should be visible after removing all the filters. If there are other rows and columns that are manually hidden and that you want displayed, you can use the following version of the macro:

Sub RemoveFiltersUnhide()
    Dim wks As Worksheet

    Application.ScreenUpdating = False
    For Each wks In ThisWorkbook.Worksheets
        With wks
            If .AutoFilterMode Then .AutoFilterMode = False
            .Rows.Hidden = False
            .Columns.Hidden = False
        End With
    Next wks
    Application.ScreenUpdating = True
End Sub

This version removes filters and then unhides any rows and columns previously hidden.

Note:

If you would like to know how to use the macros described on this page (or on any other page on the ExcelTips sites), I've prepared a special page that includes helpful information. Click here to open that special page in a new browser tab.

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (3036) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Entering Dates without Separators

When doing data entry into a worksheet, you might want to enter dates without the need to type the separators that are ...

Discover More

Editing a Hyperlink

Excel will cheerfully keep track of all sorts of hyperlinks for you. If you want to change the hyperlink in some way, ...

Discover More

File Formats that Include Field Formats

If you import data into Excel that is created by other programs, you know that it can be bothersome to get your data ...

Discover More

Comprehensive VBA Guide Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is the language used for writing macros in all Office programs. This complete guide shows both professionals and novices how to master VBA in order to customize the entire Office suite for their needs. Check out Mastering VBA for Office 2010 today!

More ExcelTips (ribbon)

Removing Duplicates Based on a Partial Match

Some types of data may have certain fields that contain partially identical information. In such cases you may want to ...

Discover More

Showing Filter Criteria on a Printout

When you print out a filtered worksheet, you may want some sort of printed record as to what filtering was applied to the ...

Discover More

Using a Filtered Value in a Formula

Accessing filtering criteria for use in a formula can be a real need for some worksheet designs. Getting to that ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 6 + 8?

2016-05-16 10:44:57

Gary Lundblad

The Remove Filters macro would be great for me, but it doesn't seem to be working.

Thank you!

Gary

2016-05-14 08:39:50

Dave

Both macros don't work for me?

This Site

Got a version of Excel that uses the ribbon interface (Excel 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the menu interface.

Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.

Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR AUTHORS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2019 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.