If you are working with large Excel spreadsheets, it can be frustrating to scroll through pages without seeing your column headers. Fortunately, Excel 2013 allows you to repeat a row (or rows) at the top of every printed page, making printed reports and multi-page documents easier to read. This guide will show you exactly how to repeat a row at the top of every page in Excel 2013.
Why Repeat a Row at the Top of Every Page?
Repeating a row is especially useful when:
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Printing large datasets spanning multiple pages
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Creating professional reports or invoices
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Ensuring column headers remain visible for readability
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Avoiding confusion when working with long spreadsheets
Step-by-Step Guide to Repeat a Row in Excel 2013
Step 1: Open Your Spreadsheet
Open the Excel 2013 workbook that contains the data you want to print. Make sure your header row is clearly defined, usually the first row of your dataset.
Step 2: Go to the Page Layout Tab
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Click on the Page Layout tab in the Excel ribbon at the top.
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Look for the Page Setup group.
Step 3: Open the “Print Titles” Dialog
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In the Page Setup group, click Print Titles.
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A new Page Setup dialog box will appear.
Step 4: Set Rows to Repeat at Top
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In the Sheet tab of the Page Setup dialog, locate the Rows to repeat at top field.
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Click inside the box, then select the row(s) you want to repeat directly on your spreadsheet.
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Example: Click row 1 to repeat it on every page. The field will display something like
$1:$1.
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Click OK to confirm.
Step 5: Preview the Print
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Go to File → Print (or press
Ctrl + P). -
You will see a preview showing your selected row repeated at the top of every page.
This ensures your headers stay visible on all printed pages.
Tips for Repeating Rows in Excel 2013
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Repeat Multiple Rows: If your headers span more than one row, select multiple rows (e.g.,
$1:$2) in the “Rows to repeat at top” field. -
Use Freeze Panes for On-Screen Viewing: If you want to keep headers visible while scrolling, use View → Freeze Panes → Freeze Top Row.
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Check Page Breaks: Go to View → Page Break Preview to see how Excel will split your pages for printing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Forgetting to select the correct row numbers
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Not checking Print Preview before printing
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Using merged cells incorrectly, which may cause misalignment in repeated rows
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Confusing Freeze Panes with Print Titles (Freeze Panes only affects the screen, not printing)
Final Thoughts
Repeating a row at the top of every page in Excel 2013 is a simple but essential step for professional and readable printed spreadsheets. Whether it’s column headers for financial data, inventory lists, or reports, this feature ensures clarity across multiple pages and saves you from confusion while analyzing data.