Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Excel 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Excel, click here: Displaying a Hidden First Row.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated April 6, 2019)
This tip applies to Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
Excel makes it easy to hide and unhide rows using the menus. What isn't so easy is displaying a hidden row if that row is above the first visible row in the worksheet. For instance, if you hide rows 1 through 5, Excel will dutifully follow out your instructions. If you later want to unhide any of these rows, the solution isn't so obvious.
To unhide the top rows of a worksheet when they are hidden, follow these steps:

Figure 1. The Go To dialog box.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2743) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Excel (Excel 2007 and later) here: Displaying a Hidden First Row.
Solve Real Business Problems Master business modeling and analysis techniques with Excel and transform data into bottom-line results. This hands-on, scenario-focused guide shows you how to use the latest Excel tools to integrate data from multiple tables. Check out Microsoft Excel Data Analysis and Business Modeling today!
After months or years of naming things (such as cell ranges), you may find your workbook cluttered with a bunch of names ...
Discover MoreWe all make mistakes. Fortunately, Excel makes it rather easy to undo your makes, right after you make them.
Discover MoreData validation can be used to create lists of choices for entry into a particular cell. Using the techniques in this tip ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2019-04-18 16:46:50
Thomas Papavasileiou
You can also approach the pointer of the mouse in the gray column indicating the row numbers, to the top of the top unhidden row number until it displays a symbol that resembles an equal sign with two arrows, one pointing upwards, starting from the middle of the top horizontal line and the other pointing downwards starting from the middle of the lower horizontal line. When you see that symbol, click and drag downwards, The hidden top row arrears.
An approximate shape of this symbol is as follows
__|__
____
}
Got a version of Excel that uses the menu interface (Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, or Excel 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2026 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments