Hiding and Unhiding Columns

Instead of using a macro to hide predefined columns for printing, why not set up custom views ? Doesn’t require VBA, file format stays xlsx and is easier to maintain (also more versatile as it also supports filtering and print area settings)

@Andy
You might want to use my new FindAndUnhide macro in the M_Text module of My Excel Toolbox: https://sites.google.com/view/MyExcelToolbox/

@Andy
This might be a bit awkward, but after using Ctrl+F to find the hidden cell, press Esc to close the Find dialog then Ctrl+Shift+9 or Ctrl+( to unhide the row. To re-hide the row, press Ctrl+9. To find the next, press Ctrl+F+Enter.
To hide/unhide a column, use Ctrl+0/Ctrl+Shift+0.

I have a large worksheet and use the 'collapse row' function to make it look less busy. Problem is if someone searches for data that is contained within the collapsed rows, the normal Ctrl-F search will find it but just underlines the cell above which is not easy to see. Is there a way of a simple search opening the collpased rows to show the cell containing the searched date?

Why bother with the ribbon, except for unhiding columns?
Surely :
CTRL+9 hide selected row
CTRL+SHIFT+( unhide column in selection

CTRL+0 (zero) hide selected column

However, I have never gotten this to work. Is there a bug?
CTRL+SHIFT+) unhide column in selection

(I also use outlines on sheets I want to hide/unhide rows and columns frequently)

I like your hiding macro Graham; however; how hard would it be to have the trigger be a value rather than a comment? If the trigger is a value it can be dynamic. How would you change the code if it were say the value "True," in the first column, or even "Hide," if that's easier, rather than a cell comment.

Thank you Graham!

Gary

I find it easy to "GROUP" columns or rows (Data-ribbon, outline - Group) that I frequently should hide or unhide. You then get the + and -buttons on the side bar or top bar to expand or collapse grouped columns and rows. You also can "ungroup" rows and columns you do not want to keep into it. Adjoining columns and rows will be "grouped" together. If you want to collapse or expand them separately then it is best to insert a very narrow column or row in between.

Good luck.

If you regularly want to hide and unhide a pre-defined set of columns then the macro below could be used. For example I use this to hide some columns during printing.

All that you need to do is add a Comment in Row 1 for any column that you wish to hide. The comment should start with the characters HID, upper or lower case.

NOTE - When creating a new cell comment some versions of Excel start the comment with the user's name. This needs to be removed.

By use of the Static definition the macro toggles between hidden and unhidden.

MACRO HERE

Option Explicit

Static Sub Hiding()

' Hiding Macro
' Toggles a pre-defined selection of columns as hidden or unhidden
' Columns defined by cells in FIRST row having a COMMENT starting with the
' letters "HID", that is any word such as "Hide", "Hidden", "Hiding", etc.
' Checks if Worksheet is initially Protected, asks for password if needed
' but reprotects WITHOUT password.

Dim active_column, actcell, hidden, protected

Application.ScreenUpdating = False ' Runs faster & stops screen flicker
Application.Calculation = xlManual
ActiveWorkbook.PrecisionAsDisplayed = False

If ActiveSheet.ProtectContents Then
protected = "Yes"
ActiveSheet.Unprotect ' Needed to allow hiding/unhiding to occur
End If

Set actcell = ActiveCell ' Stores location of "active" cell

hidden = hidden + 1
' initial value of hidden is zero if "first use" or
' "last used" value, due to "Static" statement in Sub title

If hidden > 2 Then hidden = 1

If hidden = 1 Then ' Change to "all" columns visible
Cells.Select
Selection.EntireColumn.hidden = False
Else ' Change to "selected" columns visible
Selection.SpecialCells(xlLastCell).Activate
active_column = ActiveCell.Column 'Starts search in last column currently in use.
Do While active_column > 0
If UCase(Left(Cells(1, active_column).NoteText, 3)) = "HID" Then
' Any cell in top row with COMMENT starting with
' Hide, Hidden, Hiding, etc. Upper or lower case.
Cells(1, active_column).Select
Selection.EntireColumn.hidden = True
End If
active_column = active_column - 1
Loop
End If

If protected = "Yes" Then
ActiveSheet.Protect DrawingObjects:=True, Contents:=True, Scenarios _
:=True ' Re-establishes protection, without password
End If

actcell.Select ' Re-establishes active cell position

Application.ScreenUpdating = True

Application.Calculation = xlAutomatic
ActiveWorkbook.PrecisionAsDisplayed = False
Application.ScreenUpdating = True 'Resets screen updating

End Sub