How to Group Rows in Excel (collapse and expand with +/−)

Grouping hides detail rows behind a − / + button, so a long sheet reads like a summary.

Group rows

1. Select the detail rows (not the heading row above them).
2. Data › Group, or press Shift+Alt+→.

A bar with a − appears on the left. Click − to collapse, + to expand.

Nested levels

Group a smaller set inside an existing group. The 1-2-3 buttons at the top-left show each level: 1 is the summary, the highest number shows everything.

Automatic grouping

• Auto Outline: Data › Group › Auto Outline groups rows that feed SUM formulas.
• Subtotal: Data › Subtotal adds totals and groups in one step. See SUBTOTAL.

Ungroup

Select the rows › Data › Ungroup, or Shift+Alt+←. Clear everything: Data › Ungroup › Clear Outline.

Group vs hide

Hidden rows give no clue they’re there. Grouped rows show a + so readers know there’s more. See hide rows.

Buttons above the group?

Data › Outline dialog launcher › untick Summary rows below detail.