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: Hiding Outline Symbols.
Once you go through the process of outlining your data, you may want to hide the outline symbols that Excel normally displays at the left of the worksheet area. These symbols are helpful as you are working with the data, by may be distracting if you are presenting the data to others. To turn off the symbols, follow these steps:
Figure 1. The View tab of the Options dialog box.
To again display the symbols, follow the same steps, but make sure the Outline Symbols check box is selected.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (3020) 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: Hiding Outline Symbols.
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2018-11-15 06:54:43
Mads Tiemroth
In the 2003 version of Excel one only needed to place one single button on ones toolbar to hide (or show) the outline symbols for grouped rows and columns. Now one has to click I don't know how many times. Is there still a shortcut hidden somewhere ?
(As so often before, the best is the enemy of the good. I think that for most users (97-98% ?), the 2003 version was the optimal version, simple and easy to use, whereas the later versions are a pain in the b..).
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.
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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: 
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