How to Split a Screen in Excel

If you want to efficiently organize your Excel spreadsheets, splitting your screen can be a helpful feature to use. Being able to view separate sections at once can make working with large sets of data much easier. Splitting your screen can also help you compare data that may not be next to each other in your spreadsheet. Fortunately, Excel offers a simple way to split your screen and in this article, we’ll show you how to do it.

What is Splitting a Screen in Excel?

Splitting the screen in Excel allows you to view separate sections of your spreadsheet at the same time. This can be useful if you need to view two different parts of your worksheet side-by-side or if you want to keep column or row headings visible while you scroll through your data.

How to Split the Screen Vertically

If you want to split your screen vertically to view two columns side-by-side, follow these steps:

Step 1:

Open your Excel spreadsheet and select the cell that you want the split to occur above. If you want the split to be at row 5, for example, you would select cell A5.

Step 2:

Click on the “View” tab in the ribbon at the top of your Excel window.

Step 3:

Click on the “Split” button in the Windows group.

Step 4:

Your screen will now be split in two vertically. Scroll up or down in either section to view different parts of your worksheet. You can also adjust the size of each section by clicking and dragging the dividing line between them.

How to Split the Screen Horizontally

If you want to split your screen horizontally to view two rows of data at the same time, follow these steps:

Step 1:

Select the cell that you want the split to occur to the left of. If you want the split to be at column B, for example, you would select cell B1.

Step 2:

Click on the “View” tab in the ribbon at the top of your Excel window.

Step 3:

Click on the “Split” button in the Windows group.

Step 4:

Your screen will now be split in two horizontally. Scroll left or right in either section to view different parts of your worksheet. You can also adjust the size of each section by clicking and dragging the dividing line between them.

How to Remove the Screen Split

If you no longer need the screen split, it’s easy to remove it. Follow these steps:

Step 1:

Click on the dividing line between the two sections of your split screen to select it.

Step 2:

Click on the “View” tab in the ribbon at the top of your Excel window.

Step 3:

Click on the “Split” button in the Windows group, which will turn off the split screen feature.

Other Useful Tips and Tricks

Here are some other useful tips and tricks when it comes to splitting your screen in Excel:

Freeze Panes

If you want to keep certain columns or rows visible while you scroll through other parts of your worksheet, you can use the “Freeze Panes” feature. To freeze the top row, for example, click on the “View” tab, then click on “Freeze Panes,” and select “Freeze Top Row.”

Multiple Screens

If you have multiple screens connected to your computer, you can split your Excel screen across them. Simply drag the Excel window to the edge of one screen, and then drag the dividing line to the edge of the other screen.

Zoom

If the text or numbers in your worksheet are too small to read comfortably, you can zoom in to make them larger. Simply click on the “View” tab, and then click on the “Zoom” button to adjust the size of your worksheet.

With these tips and tricks, splitting your screen in Excel can be a simple way to improve your productivity and efficiency when working on your spreadsheets. Give it a try and see how it can benefit your workflow!

FAQ

Still have questions about splitting your screen in Excel? Check out our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions below.

Can I split the screen more than once?

No, Excel only allows you to split the screen once horizontally and once vertically. However, you can use the “Freeze Panes” feature to freeze certain columns or rows in place while you scroll through other parts of your worksheet.

What if I want to change the location of the split?

To change the location of the split, simply click and drag the dividing line to a new location. You can also remove the split and then create a new one by selecting a different cell.

Is there a keyboard shortcut for splitting the screen?

Yes, you can use the “Alt + W + S” keyboard shortcut to split the screen. To remove the split, use the same shortcut again.

Can I split the screen in Excel Online?

Yes, you can split the screen in Excel Online just like you can in the desktop version of Excel. Simply click on the “View” tab, then click on the “Split” button.

Why is the split screen feature not available in my Excel program?

The split screen feature may not be available in older versions of Excel or in Excel programs for mobile devices. If you’re using an older version of Excel, you may need to upgrade to a newer version to access this feature.