Applies To
Excel for Microsoft 365 for Mac Excel 2024 Excel 2024 for Mac Excel 2021 for Mac

If you have a sheet that contains confidential information, such as employee salaries, you can hide the values of those cells by using a custom number format.

Hide cell values

When you hide a value in a cell, the cell appears to be empty. However, the formula bar still contains the value.

  1. Select the cells.

  2. On the Format menu, click Cells, and then click the Number tab.

  3. Under Category, click Custom.

  4. In the Type box, type ;;; (that is, three semicolons in a row), and then click OK.

Display hidden cell values

  1. Select the cells.

  2. On the Format menu, click Cells, and then click the Number tab.

  3. Under Category, click General (or any appropriate date, time, or number format other than Custom), and then click OK.

See also

Lock cells to protect them in Excel for Mac

Protect a workbook

Need more help?

Want more options?

Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.