ShortcutdrillExcel shortcuts / grouping and structure / Collapse the groups
Collapse the groups in Excel: Alt, A, H (Windows only)
| Windows | Alt, A, H |
|---|---|
| Mac | No key sequence. Excel for Mac has no ribbon key tips; use the menu or the nearest shortcut noted below. |
| Group | grouping and structure |
Drill: Collapse all groups. Pro drill. Twenty-five drills are free.
What it does and when to use it
Alt, A, H hides the detail of the selected group, or of every group when the selection is outside them. Alt, A, J shows it again. The outline level buttons at the top-left do the same with the mouse.
The common mistake
Hiding rows with Ctrl+9 instead of collapsing a group. Hidden rows leave no sign; a collapsed group shows a plus button.
On a Mac
Excel for Mac does not show key tips when you press Option, so this ribbon sequence has no direct equivalent. The same command is in the menu bar, and many of the menus accept the keyboard once open. If you work on a Mac but your team is on Windows, learn the sequence anyway: it is what you will need on a Windows machine, and the Shortcutdrill sheet accepts Option in place of Alt so you can practice it.
Related shortcuts
- Insert a column Ctrl+Space, Ctrl+Shift+=
- Delete a blank row Shift+Space, Ctrl+-
- Group rows Alt+Shift+Right arrow
- Ungroup rows Alt+Shift+Left arrow
- Insert a sheet Shift+F11
- The printable cheat sheet
Questions
How do I collapse all groups at once?
Click the level 1 button, or from the keyboard select a cell outside the groups and press Alt, A, H.
Learn it by pressing it
Shortcutdrill gives you a task on a live sheet and a limit on key presses, so the shortcut has to become a reflex. Twenty-five drills are free; Pro unlocks all 80 for $9 a month, $29 a year, or $49 once.
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