diff --git a/src/wuttaweb/grids/base.py b/src/wuttaweb/grids/base.py
index 44c2170..a754a2c 100644
--- a/src/wuttaweb/grids/base.py
+++ b/src/wuttaweb/grids/base.py
@@ -156,6 +156,15 @@ class Grid:
 
        See also :meth:`set_link()` and :meth:`is_linked()`.
 
+    .. attribute:: hidden_columns
+
+       List of column names which should be hidden from view.
+
+       Hidden columns are sometimes useful to pass "extra" data into
+       the grid, for use by other component logic etc.
+
+       See also :meth:`set_hidden()` and :meth:`is_hidden()`.
+
     .. attribute:: sortable
 
        Boolean indicating whether *any* column sorting is allowed for
@@ -372,6 +381,7 @@ class Grid:
             row_class=None,
             actions=[],
             linked_columns=[],
+            hidden_columns=[],
             sortable=False,
             sort_multiple=True,
             sort_on_backend=True,
@@ -399,6 +409,7 @@ class Grid:
         self.row_class = row_class
         self.actions = actions or []
         self.linked_columns = linked_columns or []
+        self.hidden_columns = hidden_columns or []
         self.joiners = joiners or {}
 
         self.config = self.request.wutta_config
@@ -535,6 +546,43 @@ class Grid:
             if key in self.columns:
                 self.columns.remove(key)
 
+    def set_hidden(self, key, hidden=True):
+        """
+        Set/override the hidden flag for a column.
+
+        Hidden columns are sometimes useful to pass "extra" data into
+        the grid, for use by other component logic etc.
+
+        See also :meth:`is_hidden()`; the list is tracked via
+        :attr:`hidden_columns`.
+
+        :param key: Column key as string.
+
+        :param hidden: Flag indicating whether column should be hidden
+           (vs. shown).
+        """
+        if hidden:
+            if key not in self.hidden_columns:
+                self.hidden_columns.append(key)
+        else: # un-hide
+            if self.hidden_columns and key in self.hidden_columns:
+                self.hidden_columns.remove(key)
+
+    def is_hidden(self, key):
+        """
+        Returns boolean indicating if the column is hidden from view.
+
+        See also :meth:`set_hidden()` and :attr:`hidden_columns`.
+
+        :param key: Column key as string.
+
+        :rtype: bool
+        """
+        if self.hidden_columns:
+            if key in self.hidden_columns:
+                return True
+        return False
+
     def set_label(self, key, label, column_only=False):
         """
         Set/override the label for a column.
@@ -2090,6 +2138,7 @@ class Grid:
             columns.append({
                 'field': name,
                 'label': self.get_label(name),
+                'hidden': self.is_hidden(name),
                 'sortable': self.is_sortable(name),
                 'searchable': self.is_searchable(name),
             })
diff --git a/src/wuttaweb/templates/grids/vue_template.mako b/src/wuttaweb/templates/grids/vue_template.mako
index fa7b8f7..85dd468 100644
--- a/src/wuttaweb/templates/grids/vue_template.mako
+++ b/src/wuttaweb/templates/grids/vue_template.mako
@@ -165,19 +165,21 @@
                 >
 
       % for column in grid.get_vue_columns():
-          <${b}-table-column field="${column['field']}"
-                             label="${column['label']}"
-                             v-slot="props"
-                            :sortable="${json.dumps(column.get('sortable', False))|n}"
-                            :searchable="${json.dumps(column.get('searchable', False))|n}"
-                             cell-class="c_${column['field']}">
-            % if grid.is_linked(column['field']):
-                <a :href="props.row._action_url_view"
-                   v-html="props.row.${column['field']}" />
-            % else:
-                <span v-html="props.row.${column['field']}"></span>
-            % endif
-          </${b}-table-column>
+          % if not column['hidden']:
+              <${b}-table-column field="${column['field']}"
+                                 label="${column['label']}"
+                                 v-slot="props"
+                                :sortable="${json.dumps(column.get('sortable', False))|n}"
+                                :searchable="${json.dumps(column.get('searchable', False))|n}"
+                                 cell-class="c_${column['field']}">
+                % if grid.is_linked(column['field']):
+                    <a :href="props.row._action_url_view"
+                       v-html="props.row.${column['field']}" />
+                % else:
+                    <span v-html="props.row.${column['field']}"></span>
+                % endif
+              </${b}-table-column>
+          % endif
       % endfor
 
       % if grid.actions:
diff --git a/tests/grids/test_base.py b/tests/grids/test_base.py
index 0184c0c..eea0215 100644
--- a/tests/grids/test_base.py
+++ b/tests/grids/test_base.py
@@ -281,6 +281,26 @@ class TestGrid(WebTestCase):
         self.assertFalse(grid.is_linked('foo'))
         self.assertTrue(grid.is_linked('bar'))
 
+    def test_hidden_columns(self):
+        grid = self.make_grid(columns=['foo', 'bar'])
+        self.assertEqual(grid.hidden_columns, [])
+        self.assertFalse(grid.is_hidden('foo'))
+
+        grid.set_hidden('foo')
+        self.assertEqual(grid.hidden_columns, ['foo'])
+        self.assertTrue(grid.is_hidden('foo'))
+        self.assertFalse(grid.is_hidden('bar'))
+
+        grid.set_hidden('bar')
+        self.assertEqual(grid.hidden_columns, ['foo', 'bar'])
+        self.assertTrue(grid.is_hidden('foo'))
+        self.assertTrue(grid.is_hidden('bar'))
+
+        grid.set_hidden('foo', False)
+        self.assertEqual(grid.hidden_columns, ['bar'])
+        self.assertFalse(grid.is_hidden('foo'))
+        self.assertTrue(grid.is_hidden('bar'))
+
     def test_searchable_columns(self):
         grid = self.make_grid(columns=['foo', 'bar'])
         self.assertEqual(grid.searchable_columns, set())