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If some cells, rows, or columns on a worksheet do not appear, you have the option of copying all cells—or only the visible cells. By default, Excel copies hidden or filtered cells in addition to visible cells. If this is not what you want, follow the steps in this article to copy visible cells only. For example, you can choose to copy only the summary data from an outlined worksheet.

Note: Excel pastes the copied data into consecutive rows or columns. If the paste area contains hidden rows or columns, you might have to unhide the paste area to see all of the copied cells.

  1. Select the cells that you want to copy. For more information, go to Select cells, ranges, rows, or columns on a worksheet.

    Tip: To cancel a selection of cells, click any cell in the worksheet.

  2. Select Home > Find & Select, and pick Go To Special.

  3. Select Visible cells only > OK.

  4. Select Copy (or press Ctrl+C).

  5. Select the upper-left cell of the paste area and select Paste (or press Ctrl+V).

    Tip: To copy a selection to a different worksheet or workbook, click another worksheet tab or switch to another workbook, and then select the upper-left cell of the paste area.

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