One of the features of Excel is the ability to hide cells. However, if you copy a range that contains hidden cells and paste the selection elsewhere, you get all the rows including the hidden ones. This short tutorial will show you how to copy just the visible cells.

Below is a simple worksheet with 2 hidden rows…

Excel - Copying Non-Hidden Cells

If you select rows 1 – 7, issue the Copy command and then Paste the selection elsewhere, you get all the rows including the hidden ones…

Excel - Copying Non-Hidden Cells

In order to copy a range that includes hidden cells, but exclude the hidden cells when pasting, perform the following steps…

Select the range to be copied

From the Home tab, select the Find & Select button and select Go To Special from the menu

Excel - Copying Non-Hidden Cells

The Go To Special dialog box is displayed…

Excel - Copying Non-Hidden Cells

Select Visible cells only

Click OK

Issue the Copy command (Ctrl+C or from the Home tab, select the Copy button). Excel marks the cells to be copied with multiple selection marquees…

Excel - Copying Non-Hidden Cells

Position the cursor where you want to copy the block to and Paste (Ctrl+V or from the Home tab, select the Paste button)

Excel - Copying Non-Hidden Cells