How to Group Rows in Microsoft Excel

Updated on:

May 12, 2026

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Use this interactive demo to learn how to group rows in your Excel worksheet using the Data tab.

Quick summary

Grouping rows in Microsoft Excel lets you collapse and expand sections of your spreadsheet to organize large datasets more efficiently. Using the Data tab and the Outline Group option, you can visually structure related rows in just a few clicks.

Steps

Inside your Microsoft Excel worksheet, find and select the rows you want to group.
Head over to the top menu bar and click Data.
Tap More Options to proceed.
Choose Group from the list of options under the Outline section.
After completing these steps, the selected rows will be grouped accordingly.

📌 Why this matters

Grouping rows in Microsoft Excel is an essential skill for anyone managing large or complex spreadsheets. The Excel row grouping feature — found under the Data tab's Outline section — lets users collapse and expand related data sections, making worksheets easier to read and navigate. This functionality is especially valuable for financial models, project trackers, and data reports where hiding detail rows reduces visual clutter. Mastering row grouping in Excel improves productivity and helps users present structured, professional-looking data without deleting any content.

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