In this tutorial, we will explore the best methods to hide code cell outputs in Google Colab notebooks. As developers, we often encounter situations where the output of certain code cells, like package installations or logs, may not be relevant to the readers. Hiding these outputs can make our notebook cleaner and more focused on the content that matters. So let’s dive in and learn how to hide code cell outputs in Google Colab with ease.
Using the %%capture Magic Command
One of the simplest ways to hide the output of a code cell in Google Colab is by using the %%capture
magic command. To do this, simply add %%capture
at the beginning of the code cell you want to hide the output for, like so:
%%capture # the rest of your code
Now, any output generated by the code in this cell will be suppressed.
Hiding pip Installations with -q or –quiet
When installing packages using pip
, you can hide the output by adding the -q
or --quiet
option at the end of the command. This will suppress the installation logs and keep your notebook clean. For example:
!pip install gwpy --quiet
Redirecting Output to /dev/null
Another method to hide code cell outputs is by redirecting the output to /dev/null
. This can be done by appending &> /dev/null
to the end of any command. This method will silence the output, except for any errors that may arise. Here’s an example:
!pip install gwpy &> /dev/null
Note that this method might not work for %
commands.
Conclusion
In this tutorial, we’ve covered three effective methods to hide code cell outputs in Google Colab notebooks. By using the %%capture
magic command, the --quiet
option with pip
installations, or redirecting output to /dev/null
, you can keep your notebooks clean and focused on the content that truly matters.