Office Settings & Configuration

How to Save Hidden Columns as Named Views in Excel

Nimra Malik Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to know if it is possible to save multiple configurations of hidden and visible columns as named views to easily switch between different layouts.

How to Save Hidden Columns as Named Views in Excel

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing different column layouts for varying data analysis tasks or generating specific reports from a large dataset.
Observed behavior: Excel's standard Sheet View feature primarily preserves filters and sorting, but it does not generally save multiple named configurations of hidden and visible columns.

Before you start

Before attempting to use the Custom Views feature to save your hidden column layouts, ensure that your workbook does not contain any formatted Excel Tables, as this will disable the feature.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Custom Views Feature

Utilize Excel's legacy Custom Views tool to save specific display settings, including hidden columns, rows, and applied filters.

While Sheet Views do not save hidden columns, the older Custom Views feature does. This is the most straightforward method to capture the exact layout of your worksheet, including which columns are currently hidden.

Hide columns

Select the columns you want to hide, right-click on the column headers, and choose 'Hide' from the context menu.

Open Custom Views

Navigate to the 'View' tab on the Excel ribbon and click on 'Custom Views' in the Workbook Views group.

Add a new view

Click the 'Add' button in the dialog box, enter a descriptive name for your view, ensure 'Hidden rows, columns and filter settings' is checked, and click 'OK'.

Switch between views

To restore or switch to a saved layout, go back to 'Custom Views', select your saved name from the list, and click 'Show'.

Feature Limitation: The Custom Views button will be grayed out and unavailable if any worksheet in your workbook contains a formatted Excel Table (inserted via Insert > Table).

Solution 2

Create VBA Macros to Toggle Layouts

Write simple VBA scripts to automate the hiding and unhiding of specific column ranges.

Solution 3

Use Separate Linked Worksheets

Create copies of your main worksheet to maintain multiple static column configurations without relying on macros.

Manage Data Layouts with WPS Office

Easily Save and Switch Custom Column Views in WPS Spreadsheets

WPS Spreadsheets provides robust and user-friendly tools to manage your data display. You can quickly save specific layouts, including hidden columns and applied filters, using the Custom Views feature, allowing you to switch perspectives instantly without rebuilding your worksheet.

1. Set up your layout: Open your document in WPS Spreadsheets and hide the desired columns by right-clicking the column headers and selecting 'Hide'.
2. Access Custom Views: Navigate to the 'View' tab on the top ribbon and click on the 'Custom Views' icon.
3. Save the layout: Click 'Add', input a recognizable name for your specific column layout, ensure settings are checked to save hidden columns, and confirm.
4. Toggle layouts on demand: Switch between your saved layouts at any time by returning to the Custom Views menu, selecting your saved view, and clicking 'Show'.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xls) formatsIntuitive Custom Views feature to effortlessly save hidden column layoutsLightweight application with fast processing for large and complex datasetsFamiliar tabbed interface makes finding formatting tools incredibly simpleFree to download and use for essential spreadsheet tasks

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Custom Views button grayed out in Excel?

The Custom Views feature is automatically disabled if your workbook contains an Excel Table (a table created via Insert > Table). You must convert all tables back to normal ranges (Table Design > Convert to Range) to reactivate the Custom Views functionality.

Does Excel Sheet View save hidden columns?

No, Excel Sheet Views are primarily designed to save sorting and filtering configurations so that users co-authoring a document do not interrupt each other's work. They do not generally save configurations of hidden or visible columns.

Can I share Custom Views with other users?

Yes, Custom Views are saved locally within the workbook file. When you share the file with other users, they can access the named views you created from the Custom Views menu, provided they do not add an Excel Table to the workbook.

Is there a limit to how many Custom Views I can create?

There is no strict practical limit to the number of Custom Views you can create in a workbook. You can create as many as you need to capture various column, row, and print layouts for your data.

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