How to Group and Ungroup in Google Sheets Using Excel Shortcuts
- David Pang
- Apr 21
- 5 min read
If you work across both Excel and Google Sheets, you already know how to group and ungroup rows or columns and how to expand and collapse the grouping. But your Excel shortcuts won't work in Google Sheets out of the box. That means stopping mid-workflow, looking up different shortcuts, and rebuilding habits you've spent years developing.
This article covers how to group and ungroup in Google Sheets, and how to bring your familiar Excel shortcuts directly into Google Sheets using SheetWhiz. For example, ALT + A + G + G to group, ALT + A + G + U to ungroup, while ALT + A + J to show details, and ALT + A + H to hide details, all in Excel.
How Can You Use Excel-Style Shortcuts In Google Sheets with SheetWhiz
When dealing with new shortcuts in Google Sheets, the solution is not to retrain your hands. It is to make Google Sheets understand the shortcuts you already know. That is exactly what SheetWhiz does.
SheetWhiz is a Google Sheets extension that brings Excel keyboard shortcuts natively into Google Sheets. Instead of maintaining two separate mental models depending on which tool you are in, SheetWhiz lets you work with a single consistent set of shortcuts across both. The result is a smoother, faster workflow with no context switching, no relearning, and no friction when moving between the two tools.
For grouping specifically, SheetWhiz brings the full set of Excel shortcuts to Google Sheets:
Group Rows/Columns: Alt → A → G → G
Ungroup Rows/Columns: Alt → A → G → U
Expand Group (Show Detail in Excel): Alt → A → J
Collapse Group (Hide Detail in Excel): Alt → A → H
Note: The best thing about SheetWhiz shortcuts is that you can customize them to the keys you are most comfortable with.
How To Group And Ungroup Rows And Columns In Google Sheets Using SheetWhiz
Start by following the given steps to set up SheetWhiz to group and ungroup rows or columns in Sheets:
Step 1: Install the SheetWhiz extension on Chrome.
Step 2: Once installed, reload the sheets, and you will be prompted to log into SheetWhiz automatically. You can sign up for a FREE account.
Step 3: Open your Google Sheet and select the rows or columns you want to work with. Now use the relevant shortcut for what you want to do:
To Group: Press Alt → A → G → G
To Ungroup: Press Alt → A → G → U
To Collapse the Group: Press Alt → A → H
To Expand the Group: Press Alt → A → J
More Excel Shortcuts SheetWhiz Brings To Google Sheets
Grouping is just one part of how Excel users manage rows and columns. SheetWhiz brings the full set of related shortcuts across as well, so your entire row and column workflow stays consistent between the two tools.
Shortcut Name | Shortcut | Description |
Insert Columns / Rows | Ctrl + Shift + + | Inserts a new row or column at the selected position |
Delete Columns / Rows | Ctrl + Shift + - | Deletes the selected row or column |
Autofit Column Width | Alt → H → O → I | Automatically resizes the column to fit its content |
Set Column Width | Alt → H → O → W | Manually sets the width of the selected column |
Autofit Row Height | Alt → H → O → A | Automatically resizes the row to fit its content |
Set Row Height | Alt → H → O → H | Manually sets the height of the selected row |
Freeze Rows & Columns | Alt → W → F → F | Freezes rows and columns up to the selected cell |
Unfreeze Rows & Columns | Alt → W → F → U | Removes all row and column freezes |
How Do You Group Rows Or Columns In Google Sheets? (Built-In Method)
Google Sheets has solid grouping functionality, offering both shortcuts and manual selection of targeted rows and columns. Here is how to do it.
Instructions. Select the rows or columns you want to group by clicking and dragging across the row numbers or column letters. Then, press:
On Windows: Alt + Shift + →
On Mac: Option + Shift + →
Note. You can also group via the menu by selecting your rows or columns, then going to View → Group.
How Do You Ungroup Rows Or Columns In Google Sheets? (Built-in Method)
Ungrouping follows the exact same logic, meaning select what you want to release and use these steps:
Instructions. Select the grouped rows or columns you want to ungroup by clicking and dragging across the row numbers or column letters. Now, press:
On Windows: Alt + Shift + ←
On Mac: Option + Shift + ←
Note. You can also ungroup via the menu by selecting your grouped rows or columns, then going to View → Ungroup.
P.S. We also have a detailed guide if you are interested in learning how to group or ungroup objects in Google Slides.
How Do You Expand or Collapse Groups In Google Sheets? (Built-in Method)
Once your rows or columns are grouped, you can expand or collapse them to show or hide the grouped content. Here is how to do both:
How to Expand a Group in Sheets?
To reveal a collapsed group, click on the group to select it and then use the shortcut via these steps.
Instructions. Select the collapsed group by clicking on its row numbers or column letters. Following that, you need to press the following buttons on their respective devices:
On Windows: Alt + Shift + ↓
On Mac: Option + Shift + ↓
Note: You can also expand manually by clicking the + button next to the collapsed group.
How to Collapse a Group in Sheets?
To hide the contents of an expanded group, select it and use the shortcut by following these guidelines.
Instructions. Select the expanded group by clicking on its row numbers or column letters. Here, press the following keys on their respective devices:
Windows: Alt + Shift + ↑
Mac: Option + Shift + ↑
Note: You can also collapse the group manually by clicking the − button next to the expanded group.
Why Excel Shortcuts Make More Sense for Grouping in Google Sheets?
The Google Sheets shortcuts work, but they were designed in isolation. If you only ever use Google Sheets, they are perfectly fine. But most professionals today don't work in just one tool. Spreadsheets move between Excel and Google Sheets constantly, and so do the people working on them.
The Excel shortcuts for grouping, ungrouping, expanding, and collapsing are deeply embedded in the workflow of anyone who has used Excel seriously. They are not key combinations but are muscle memory built over years of daily use. Every time that muscle memory hits a wall in Google Sheets, it breaks your focus and pulls you out of the work itself.
Beyond habit, the Excel shortcuts are also a more complete set. They cover everything under a consistent keyboard logic that feels unified. Switching to Google Sheets means either accepting a different set of shortcuts or constantly toggling between two mental models, depending on which tool you are in.
For anyone who moves between Excel and Google Sheets regularly, the case is straightforward. One consistent set of shortcuts across both tools is always better than two.
P.S. Don't forget to check our detailed compilation of all the shortcuts in Google Sheets.
Conclusion
In short, grouping and ungrouping rows and columns in Google Sheets works well on its own. But if you come from Excel, the shortcuts are just different enough to slow you down. SheetWhiz closes that gap by bringing the Excel shortcuts you already know directly into Google Sheets. Whether you are grouping, ungrouping, expanding, or collapsing, everything works exactly as it does in Excel, no adjustment needed.
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