Missing Excel outline

K

Kevin Lucas

When I outline say 5 columns that are themselves already part of a larger
outline (say 15 rows) and the 5 are the rightmost 5 within the higher
15-column outline, Excel does not place an outline symbol across the 5
columns with the associated '+/-' button over the 5th. Instead it just
places dots above each column on a new outline heading row. There is still a
'+/-' outline symbol on the next outliner row above since this manages
expansion and contraction of the 15 column outline. Consequently I can't use
outline buttons to hide 4 of the 5 columns; I can only hide all 14 of the 15
within the high level outline.

Am I doing something wrong, is Excel mis-behaving or is there some other
simple way of expanding and contracting these 4 columns (without expanding
or contracting other columns that may be outlined separately as would happen
through use of the numbered outline buttons)?

Many thanks for any insights you have.
All the best
Kevin Lucas
 
D

Debra Dalgleish

It may not be an acceptable solution for you, but if you include the
blank column beyond the outline, you should get the + symbol for the
last group.
 
K

Kevin Lucas

Thanks for this. I think I've effectively done something similar by adding
an additional column to act as the focus of the '+' for the lowest sub group
and hence separating the headings for the two outlines. It takes up extra
space when my purpose is to reduce space so it's pesky but I recognise I may
have to live with it.

Do I take it that I've not been been misunderstanding what Excel is doing
here and that I'm either grappling with a known bug or feature depending on
how you see it? I only ask because it's helpful to know whether I've been
doing something wrong and hence should be able to find a solution that
permits two outlines to end on a single column or whether this is just the
way Excel works.

Many thanks for your help
Kevin
 
D

Debra Dalgleish

You're not doing anything wrong, and I'd call this a limitation of the
outline feature, rather than a bug or feature.

I think you've found the best workaround.
 

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