How to Partially Hide Confidential Data in Excel

Mask Social Security Numbers and Credit Card Numbers in Excel

Are you looking for a way to protect confidential information in your Excel spreadsheet, such as Social Security numbers or credit card numbers? In this tutorial, we'll show you step by step how to partially hide this sensitive data, making it visible only to authorized users. To see these formulas in action, be sure to watch this video to quickly mask these sensitive numbers.

Begin by opening your Excel spreadsheet containing the sensitive data you wish to protect.

Identify the cell or column that contains the sensitive data you want to partially hide. For this tutorial, we'll assume you want to reveal only the last four digits of a Social Security number.

Step 1: Create a Masking Formula

1. Double-click on the selected cell.

2. In the formula bar, type the following formula:

=("***-**-"&RIGHT(A2,4))

Note that you can use * or # symbols depending on how you want the masked cell to appear.
Replace “A2” with the appropriate cell reference in your spreadsheet.

3. Press Enter to apply the formula.

This formula will display the last four digits of the Social Security number while masking the rest.

Masked SSN in Excel

Step 2: Copy the Formula

To apply this formula to multiple cells or rows, simply double-click the cell's fill handle (a small square at the lower-right corner of the selected cell) to copy the formula down.

If you want to convert the masked data into permanent values, copy the masked data (Ctrl+C), right-click on the cell, choose "Paste Special," and select "Values." This will replace the formula with the actual masked values.

Step 3: Delete or Hide the Original Data

Now that you have the masked data, you can decide to either delete the original sensitive data from your sheet or hide it. If you choose to hide it, follow these steps. Note that even protected Excel spreadsheets can be vulnerable so sheets containing highly sensitive data, even when hidden, should never be shared with unauthorized users.

1. Select the column containing the sensitive data.

2. Right-click and choose "Hide."

   To ensure that other users cannot unhide the column, protect your Excel sheet with a password:

3. Go to the "Review" tab.

4. Click on "Protect Sheet."

5. A dialog box will appear. Leave the top two options selected.

6. Set a password (make sure to remember it).

7. Confirm the password.

8. Click "OK."

For Credit Card Numbers

If you're working with credit card numbers, you can use a similar method. Follow these steps:

Create a masking formula like this:

=(REPT("**** ",3)&RIGHT(A2,4))

Replace A2 with the appropriate cell reference.

1. Copy the formula down to mask the credit card numbers.

2. Optionally, paste values if you want to convert the masked data into permanent values.

3. Delete or hide the original data.

By following these steps, you can securely manage sensitive data in your Excel spreadsheets.

Masked Credit Card number in Excel

Conclusion

This tutorial has shown you how to partially hide sensitive data in Excel, whether it's Social Security numbers or credit card numbers. Protecting sensitive information is essential, and these steps can help you achieve that without compromising the integrity of your data.

I hope you found this tutorial helpful and that it simplifies your data management tasks in Excel! Be sure and watch more videos on my Channel, like this one on how to hide worksheets in Excel and make them “very hidden!”