← ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8

Hiding a column does not remove the data

A hidden column is only out of sight. Its data stays in the file and is shared with it, and anyone can unhide it. Delete the column to really remove the data.

Part of: ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Digital Footprints and Data Minimisation — Module 40

Understanding Hiding a column does not remove the data in ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8

What it does: Unhide shows the hidden column again, so hiding does not protect private data such as phone numbers. Deleting removes the data from the file. Hiding only keeps it out of sight. Delete the column in a working copy so the addresses are not in the shared file. Keep your original safe. A filter only hides rows that do not match. The data is still there and can be shown again by clearing the filter.

Common mistakes: Hiding a column only puts it out of sight. The data is still in the file, so line 3 should say D's data is still in the file. Hiding does not remove data. To really remove it you must delete the column, so line 1 should say Delete column C.

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Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 752–770) and word search (Modules 696–770).

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Learning
Duo
You hide column C, which has phone numbers, then email the spreadsheet. Are the phone numbers still in the file?
No, hiding a column removes the dataYes, hidden data is still stored in the file
Matches
Hide the Phone column, then email the file. Phone numbers are now removed.
↓
Hiding does not remove data. The phone numbers are still in the file and anyone can unhide the column.
Applying
Meanings
Term
hidden column
Meaning
A hidden column is only out of sight. Its data stays in the file and is shared with it, and anyone can unhide it. Delete the column to really remove the data.
Practice
=SUM(C2:C9)/COUNT(C2:C9)
Testing
Gaps
dataInFile =
Check Answer
Spots
2Hide column D
3D's data is gone from the file

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Quick Questions

1. You hide column C, which has phone numbers, then email the spreadsheet. Are the phone numbers still in the file?
A. Yes, hidden data is still stored in the file ✓
B. No, hiding a column removes the data
Hiding only makes a column invisible on screen. The data stays in the file and travels with it when you share it.
2. Which action really removes a column of personal data from a spreadsheet?
A. Hide the column
B. Delete the column ✓
Deleting removes the data from the file. Hiding only keeps it out of sight.
3. Your friend receives a spreadsheet with column B hidden. Can they see the data in column B?
A. Yes, they can unhide the column ✓
B. No, hidden columns can never be shown again
Anyone with the file can unhide a column in a few clicks, so hidden data is not protected.
4. What is the safest way to share a class list WITHOUT home addresses?
A. Delete the address column from a copy, then share the copy ✓
B. Hide the address column, then share the file
Delete the column in a working copy so the addresses are not in the shared file. Keep your original safe.
5. Column D is hidden. How can you tell a column is hidden?
A. The column is deleted, so nothing is missing
B. The column letters skip from C to E ✓
A gap in the column letters is a clue that a column is hidden. The data is still there.

Match the Pairs

Right-click column C > Hide → Makes column C invisible on screen, but all of its data is still stored in the file
Right-click column C > Delete → Removes column C and all of its data from the file for good
Anyone who receives the file can bring a hidden column back into view → Select columns B to D > Right-click > Unhide
A hidden sheet and rows hidden by a filter still hold their data in the file → Hidden sheet: Phones | Filter: House = Red
Hide the Phone column, then email the file. Phone numbers are now removed. → Hiding does not remove data. The phone numbers are still in the file and anyone can unhide the column.
Filter out rows for students under 13, then share the file. Their data is deleted. → A filter only hides rows from view. The data for those students is still in the file.

Key Term

hidden column
A hidden column is only out of sight. Its data stays in the file and is shared with it, and anyone can unhide it. Delete the column to really remove the data.

Fill in the Blanks

1. HIDE column C dataInFile = TRUE
Hint: Type the Boolean value that shows hiding keeps the data in the file.
2. DELETE column C dataInFile = FALSE
Hint: Type the Boolean value that shows deleting really removes the data.
3. HIDE column C =SUM(C2:C9) result is still calculated
Hint: Type the function that adds up the numbers in a range of cells.
4. HIDE column C SHARE file recipient can UNHIDE column C
Hint: Type the action that makes a hidden column visible again.
5. FILTER rows where year = 7 other rows are hidden, not deleted
Hint: Type the word for rows that are out of sight but still in the file.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A Column D holds home addresses
B Hide column D
C D's data is gone from the file
Line C — Hiding a column only puts it out of sight. The data is still in the file, so line 3 should say D's data is still in the file.
Question 2
A Hide column C to remove data
B Save the file
C Column C is no longer in it
Line A — Hiding does not remove data. To really remove it you must delete the column, so line 1 should say Delete column C.
Question 3
A Right-click column B
B Unhide cannot show it again
C The data was there all along
Line B — Anyone can unhide a hidden column and see its data again. Line 2 should say Choose Unhide to see it again.
Question 4
A Hide the sheet called Names
B Names sheet is now empty
C Anyone can unhide the sheet
Line B — A hidden sheet still holds all of its data. It is only out of sight, so line 2 should say the sheet still holds data.
Question 5
A Filter to hide rows for Year 7
B Share the file
C Filtered rows are deleted
Line C — Filtering only hides rows from view. The rows are still in the file and are shared with it, so line 3 should say they still hold data.

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