How to Show Zeros as Blank Cells in Excel in 60 Seconds

In big Excel data sheets, it's possible that many of your values could be 0. Learn how to show zeros as blank cells in Excel, for sheets that read better.

Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oct 19, 2017 • 2 min read This post is part of a series called How to Use Excel - Quick Video Tutorials (in 60 Seconds).

When you're working in Excel and have big data sheets, it's totally possible that many of your values could be zero.

This is common, but it can make your spreadsheet difficult to read and navigate. We don't have to change all of these zeros and delete them from the data to clean up our spreadsheet.

Instead we can just change how they appear. Instead of showing all these zeros, we could blank them with one simple option in Excel. Let's learn how.

How to Quickly Show Excel Cells as Blank if Zero

Note: Watch this short tutorial screencast or follow the quick steps below, that compliment this video.

1. Open Your Excel File That Has Zero Cells

We start with an Excel file with numerous 0 cells, which we want to turn blank.

Excel file with zero cells

2. How to Turn Off Show Zeros in Excel

Now go to the File tab here in Excel. Now find the Options button here on the left side, and go ahead and click on it.

Now, change to the Advanced option on the left side. Let's scroll down. And in the midst of these options, go ahead and find the box that says, Show a zero in cells that have zero value. This option controls the setting for the entire workbook. We need to go ahead and uncheck that box and now let's press OK.

Show a blank in Ecxel cells that have zero value

3. Now Excel Will Show Zero Cells as Blank

When we return to the workbook, you can see that all of the zeros are now hidden. The zero value is still inside the cell, but Excel changes how it shows it and it blanks those cells out. This might also be useful in a pivot table view, for example.

Blank cells show if zero in Excel

Finishing Up!

Now you know how to change an Excel if cell to 0 then make it blank when needed. This option of is helpful to keep spreadsheets more readable and focused on your meaningful data.

More Helpful Excel Tutorials on Envato Tuts+

Find comprehensive Excel tutorials on Envato Tuts+ to help you learn how to work with your data better in your spreadhsheets. We also have a quick-start in 60 seconds Excel video series to learn more Excel tools fast.

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Remember: Every Microsoft Excel tool you learn, and workflow you master, the more powerful spreadsheets you can make.