Q&A for How to Group and Outline Excel Data

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Question

How do I reverse the grouping so that the total is at the top line and the collapsed lines fall below?

Community Answer

Click the "Data" tab, then come to the "Outline" section, then click the small arrow on the right bottom corner to "Show the Outline Dialog Box". From the settings, unclick "Summary Rows Below Detail."

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Question

My data is grouped, but I cannot see the outline symbols along the left side of my spreadsheet. What can I do?

Community Answer

While the document is open, go to "File," "Options," "Advanced," "Display options for this worksheet." Make sure "Show outline symbols if an outline is applied" is selected. This is necessary for every sheet where there are outlines/groupings applied.

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Question

How do I group Rows 23 through 31 and then group Rows 32 through 36? When I do it, Excel groups Rows 23 thru 36.

Community Answer

You need an empty row between your two groups. Otherwise Excel will automatically merge them.

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Question

How do I add two columns in Excel?

Community Answer

Select the heading letters of two columns and right-click on one of them. Then select "Insert" from the right-click options. The new columns will be added to the left of the selected columns.

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Question

How do I collapse or expand only those groups in Excel that have a certain characteristic in one of their rows? (Example: Expand or collapse all groups with a red row).

Community Answer

Write a macro that determines if the cell color is red. Then place an asterisk or other sortable value into an extra column. Sort that column, then collapse based on that sort.

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