Understanding Views in Excel (A Complete Guideline)

Here’s an overview of the View tab and the most common View options you’ll need in Excel.

Create Page Break View in Excel


Download the Practice Workbook

Download this practice workbook while reading this article.


Normal View in Excel

The Normal View is the default view of the Excel worksheet. If you want to switch from a different view to a Normal view, go to the View tab and select Normal.

Enable Normal View in Excel


Sheet View in Excel

Part 1 – How to Enable Sheet View

  • Click on the workbook name at the top and then click on Upload.

Upload Workbook

  • Select a location to upload the workbook.

Upload Workbook to One Drive

  • The Sheet View will be enabled.

Enable Sheet View


Part 2 – How to Create a Sheet View

  • Go to View, then select New in Sheet View.

Create New Sheet View

  • A temporary Sheet View will be created.

Create Sheet View


Part 3 – How to Save Sheet View

  • Go to View and select Keep in Sheet View.

Save Sheet View in Excel


Part 4 – How to Close or Switch Between Sheet View

  • Go to the View tab and choose Exit from the Sheet View group.

Close Sheet View in Excel

  • For switching to a new sheet view, click on the dropdown beside the sheet view name and select the view you want to switch to.

Switch Between Sheet Views


Part 5 – How to Rename/Duplicate/Delete Sheet View

  • Go to the Sheet View group and click on Options.
  • You will find three options to Rename, Duplicate, and Delete your sheet view.

Rename or Duplicate or Delete Sheet View


Page Break View in Excel

Page Break View can be created from the View tab.

  • Go to the View tab and click on Page Break Preview from the Workbook Views group.

Create Page Break View in Excel


Page Layout View in Excel

  • Click on the View tab and select Page Layout to create a Page Layout View in your workbook.

Create Page Layout View in Excel


Custom View in Excel

Part 1 – How to Create a Custom View

  • From the View tab, select Custom Views.
  • Click on Add in the Custom Views dialog box.

Create Custom View in Excel

  • Write a name for your custom view and check the boxes of the settings as needed.

Modify Custom View Settings in Excel


Part 2 – How to Apply a Custom View

  • Go to the View tab and click on Custom Views.
  • Select a view and click on Show to apply the custom view.

Apply Custom View in Excel


Part 3 – How to Print Only Required Cells

  • Select the cells you want to print.
  • Go to Page Layout, select Print Area, and choose Set Print Area

Print Only Required Cells in Excel

  • You can create a custom view of this print area as before.

Part 4 – How to Create Multiple Reports from One Worksheet

  • You can use Ctrl + 0 to hide columns and Ctrl + 9 to hide rows in your worksheet.

Hide a Column

  • After hiding necessary rows and columns, create a custom view as shown before.

Rename Custom View in Excel

  • You can show different custom views to different users.

Show Different Custom Views in Excel


Part 5 – How to Add a Custom View Drop-down to the Ribbon

  • Go to the Custom Quick Access Toolbar and select More Commands.

Go to More Commands Options

  • Click on Customize Ribbon and expand View and Workbook Views.
  • Select New Group.

Customize Ribbon to Add New Group

  • Rename the newly added group by right-clicking on the created group and choosing the Rename option.

Rename New Group in Excel

  • Select Commands Not in the Ribbon from the Choose commands from: drop-down.

Go to Commands not in Ribbon

  • Select Custom Views and click on Add.

Add Custom View to Ribbon in Excel

  • The Custom Views group will be added to the ribbon.

Custom View Added to Ribbon in Excel


Part 6 – How to Delete a Custom View

  • Click on the View tab and go to Custom Views.
  • Select a custom view and click on Delete.

Delete Custom View to Ribbon in Excel


Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply filters or sort in different views?

It is possible to apply filters and sorting in all views in Excel. All the other features are also applicable in all of the different views that are available in Excel.

Are views in Excel specific to individual worksheets or entire workbooks?

Views in Excel are specific to individual worksheets. Each worksheet can have its own type of view. One worksheet can have the Sheet View, whereas another worksheet can have the Page Layout View.

Can I have multiple views of the same worksheet open simultaneously in Excel?

Excel does not support multiple views of the same worksheet open simultaneously. One worksheet can have only one view at a time. If you switch the view of the worksheet from one to another, the previous view closes.


Things to Remember

  • You must upload your workbook online before using the Sheet View.
  • If you want to fit all the information on the same page, click and drag the page breaks in Page Break Preview.

Understanding Views in Excel: Knowledge Hub


<< Go Back to Learn Excel

Get FREE Advanced Excel Exercises with Solutions!

Tags:

Alif Bin Hussain
Alif Bin Hussain

Alif Bin Hussain earned a BSc in Civil Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. As an engineering graduate, he has a deep passion for research and innovation. He loves to play with Excel. In his role as an Excel & VBA Content Developer at ExcelDemy, he not only solves tricky problems but also shows enthusiasm and expertise in handling tough situations with finesse, emphasizing his dedication to delivering top-notch content. He is interested in C, C++,... Read Full Bio

We will be happy to hear your thoughts

Leave a reply

Advanced Excel Exercises with Solutions PDF

 

 

ExcelDemy
Logo