Part IV: Using Advanced Excel Features
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Adding data to an outline
You may need to add additional rows or columns to an outline. In some cases, you may be able to
insert new rows or columns without disturbing the outline, and the new rows or columns become
part of the outline. In other cases, you’ll find that the new row or column is not part of the outline.
If you create the outline automatically, choose Data ➪ Outline ➪ Group ➪ Auto Outline. Excel
makes you verify that you want to modify the existing outline. If you create the outline manually,
you need to make the adjustments manually, as well.Removing an outline
After you no longer need an outline, you can remove it by choosing Data ➪ Outline ➪ Ungroup ➪
Clear Outline. Excel fully expands the outline by displaying all hidden rows and columns, and the
outline symbols disappear. Be careful before you remove an outline, however. You can’t make it
reappear by using the Undo button. You must re-create the outline from scratch.Hiding the outline symbols
The outline symbols Excel displays when an outline is present take up quite a bit of space. (The exact
amount depends on the number levels.) If you want to see as much as possible onscreen, you can
temporarily hide these symbols without removing the outline. Use Ctrl+8 to toggle the outline sym-
bols on and off. When the outline symbols are hidden, you cannot expand or collapse the outline.Note
When you hide the outline symbols, the outline still is in effect, and the worksheet displays the data at the cur-
rent outline level. That is, some rows or columns may be hidden. n
The Custom Views feature, which saves named views of your outline, also saves the status of the
outline symbols as part of the view, enabling you to name some views with the outline symbols
and other views without them.