Outlining Data in Excel

 

Outlining data makes your data easier to view. In this example, we will total rows of related data and collapse a group of columns.

1. First, sort the data on the Company column.

Sort on One Column

2. On the Data tab, in the Outline group, click Subtotal.

Click Subtotal

3. Select the Company column, the column we use to outline our worksheet.

4. Use the Count function.

5. Check the Company check box.

6. Click OK.

Subtotal Dialog Box

Result:

Collapse Group of Cells

7. To collapse a group of cells, click a minus sign. You can use the numbers to collapse or expand groups by level. For example, click the 2 to only show the subtotals.

Subtotals

Note: click the 1 to only show the Grand Count, click the 3 to show everything.

To collapse a group of columns, execute the following steps.

8. For example, select column A and B.

9. On the Data tab, in the Outline group, click Group.

Click Group

10. Click the minus sign above column C (it will change to a plus sign).

Result:

Collapsed Group of Columns

11. To remove the outline, click any cell inside the data set and on the Data tab, in the Outline group, click Subtotal, Remove all.

Remove All