Alt + O C U Mac Excel Shortcut: Legacy Unhide Columns (2026 Guide)

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Quick Answer

To do Alt + O C U on Mac in Excel, install Accelerator Keys, then press Option, then O, then C, then U. It runs the Excel 2003 command Format > Column > Unhide. The modern ribbon shortcut is Alt + H + O + U + L.

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If you are looking for the Alt + O C U shortcut on Mac Excel, you may know it from Excel 2003, where Alt + O opened the Format menu. Windows Excel still accepts these menu keys. With Accelerator Keys, they work on your Mac too.

What Does Alt + O C U Do?

Alt + O + C + U is the legacy shortcut for Format > Column > Unhide. It shows hidden columns again.

Legacy vs. Modern Shortcut Comparison

Shortcut	Era	Menu Path
Alt + O + C + U	Legacy (Excel 2003)	Format > Column > Unhide
Alt + H + O + U + L	Modern (Ribbon)	Home > Format > Hide & Unhide > Unhide Columns

Both shortcuts work with Accelerator Keys.

How It Works on Mac

On your Mac, Accelerator Keys runs Format > Column > Unhide in the Excel menu bar. It works on any ribbon tab and at any window width.

Step-by-Step: How to do Alt + O C U on Mac Excel

Install the Fix: Download Accelerator Keys (14-day free trial, no credit card required).
Select around the hidden columns: Select the columns on the left and right of the hidden columns. To show all hidden columns, select the full sheet with Cmd + A.
Press Option: Press the Option key. It works like Alt on Windows.
Press the letters one at a time: Press O, then C, then U.
Result: Excel shows the hidden columns.

Frequently asked questions

Does Alt + O C U work natively on Mac Excel?

No. Excel for Mac’s own KeyTips do not support the legacy Alt + E, Alt + I, Alt + O, and Alt + D menu keys. Accelerator Keys adds them. Press Option, then O, then C, then U.

What is the modern equivalent of Alt + O C U?

The modern ribbon shortcut is Alt + H + O + U + L (Home > Format > Hide & Unhide > Unhide Columns). Both work on Mac with Accelerator Keys.