How to copy only Visible Cells in Excel and Google Sheets

Learn how to easily copy only visible cells in Excel and Google Sheets with our step-by-step guide. Boost your productivity today!

In this article, we will learn how to copy just the cells that are visible in Excel and Google Sheets. If you're dealing with hidden or grouped columns or rows, you might need to replicate just the cells that are visible. By hand-copying these cells, you run the risk of accidentally pasting wrong or undesirable data because the selection will automatically include the concealed rows or columns. Nevertheless, you can choose copy the visible information and leave the hidden data alone in both Excel and Google Sheets.

In Excel and Google Sheets, there are specific features or steps that can be used to copy only the cells that are displayed. Let's take a close look at this.

copy only Visible Cells in Excel and Google Sheets

Selecting only the visible cells within a given data range is made easy with Excel's built-in "Go To Special - Visible Cells Only" feature. When you find the cells you want to copy and paste, you can do it anywhere you choose. See what happens when we do this.

Consider a spreadsheet that includes client details. Customers' names, Customer IDs, email addresses, phone numbers, cities, and total purchases are all part of the data set. Rows 2 and 3 are combined in the dataset, but column D is hidden.

Pick up all the data, including the hidden and grouped rows, if you want to replicate just the visible cells. To access the Go To dialog box, click F5 (or Fn + F5). You might also use the shortcut Ctrl + G.

After you've opened the Go To Special dialogue, choose Special... choose only the visible cells. Next, select OK.

Cells that are currently hidden will not be highlighted by the command; it will only highlight what is visible in the specified data range. Select all you want, then press Ctrl + C to copy and paste.

Excel tip: You may quickly copy a range of visible cells by selecting them and then pressing ALT + ;.

The best way to duplicate specific cells in Google Sheets

Unlike Excel, Google Sheets does not come with a built-in "Visible cells only" feature. Additionally, we will discuss how filtered rows and columns act in a bit, but grouped rows and columns in Google Sheets operate in the opposite way. When you collapse the grouped rows, they remain visible in the selection, even though you can't see them. Conversely, when hidden, filtered rows are not included in the selection. Therefore, if you have used filters to exclude hidden data, you can replicate only the visible cells. See what happens when we do this.

The preceding example used the same spreadsheet data, so let's pretend we have it again. From the Data menu, choose Create a filter to remove rows 2 and 3. Every column's header will have a filter icon. Select the information you wish to conceal by clicking the filter button in the Name column. In this instance, for instance, we will remove "Sangeeta Ghera" and "Laxman Singh" from the list of options.

For the time being, just rows 1, 4, and 5 will be shown in the dataset.

Marking the rows that are visible is the next step. You can pick certain ranges in Google Sheets to make cells visible. I'll show you:

Select only the cells that are visible by holding down the Ctrl key and dragging the mouse pointer over them. In the previous example, for instance, we'll click on cell A1 and drag it to cell A6 after pressing and holding the Ctrl key. In doing so, you will choose the A1–A6 data range. In order to move cell B2 to B6, we must maintain the Ctrl key pressed. The remaining visible cells will also be selected in a similar fashion.

To copy the selected cells, press Ctrl + C once you've highlighted the data. A blue border with dots will surround them. Now use Ctrl + V to paste the info where you want it. To avoid overwriting other important data, make sure the destination range is big enough before pasting.

If your dataset has grouped or filtered rows or columns, take sure to double-check the copied data before copying to make sure it matches your intended selection.

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