Q: In some of my files I have to hide and unhide sheets frequently. Is there an easy way to hide and unhide multiple sheets in one step?
A: The easiest way is to create a Custom View. A Custom View allows you to save the current layout of a file. This includes thesheets that are hidden, as well as any rows or columns that are hidden or filters that are in place. It also has an option to save the current print settings.
Custom Views are easy to create and use. First set up the file the way you want it to appear. In Excel 2007 and 2010 click the View Ribbon and click the Custom View icon. In Excel 2003 click the View menu and select the Custom View option.
Then click the Add button and enter a name to use for your Custom View and click OK. Note the check boxes that allow you to specify what to include in the Custom View.
You can now change the layout by hiding or unhiding rows, columns or sheets.
To revert back to your Custom View, simply click the Custom View option, select the name you created and click the Show button.
You can have many Custom Views. You might use one View to set up the file for the user to input entries. This might only have one sheet visible with lots of hidden columns. Then use a different View to show all the sheets and columns so you can maintain or modify the file.
Once created Custom Views can’t be modified, but you can save a new Custom View and delete the old Custom View.
Any sheets added to a file after a Custom View is created will not be included in the Custom View settings. You would need to create a new Custom View to handle any new sheets. Custom Views can also be used in macros to simplify hiding and unhiding multiple sheets, as well as setting up sheets for certain uses.