When a spreadsheet prints across several pages, only the first page shows your column headings, which makes the rest hard to read. Excel’s Print Titles feature repeats the top row (or several rows) on every printed page. This guide shows how to set it up in Excel 2016, plus how to repeat columns on the left, check the result, and fix a grayed-out option. The steps are the same in Excel 2019, 2021, 2024, and Microsoft 365.
Quick Answer
Go to Page Layout > Print Titles. In Rows to repeat at top, type $1:$1 (or click in the box and select row 1), then click OK. Check File > Print to confirm the header appears on every page.
How to Repeat the Top Row on Every Page
- Open the worksheet you want to print.
- Click the Page Layout tab.
- In the Page Setup group, click Print Titles. The Page Setup dialog opens on the Sheet tab.
- Click in Rows to repeat at top, then click the row number of your header row on the worksheet (for example, row 1). Excel fills in $1:$1.
- Click OK.
Repeat several rows
Drag across multiple row numbers, or type a range such as $1:$3 to repeat a title and two header rows.
Repeat columns on the left
For wide sheets that print across pages, fill in Columns to repeat at left (for example, $A:$A for the column of names or IDs).
Check the Result
- Click File > Print (or press Ctrl + P).
- Use the page arrows under the preview to move through pages. The header should appear at the top of each one.
Print titles don’t show in Normal view; they only appear when printing or previewing. View > Page Layout also shows them.
Print Titles vs. Freeze Panes vs. Headers
| Feature | What it does |
|---|---|
| Print Titles | Repeats worksheet rows or columns on every printed page |
| Freeze Panes (View tab) | Keeps rows visible while scrolling on screen; doesn’t affect printing |
| Header & Footer | Adds text like page numbers, file name, or date in the page margin |
To keep headers visible on screen too, freeze the top row in Excel.
Troubleshooting
- Print Titles is grayed out: you’re editing a cell (press Esc), several sheets are selected (right-click a tab and choose Ungroup Sheets), or no printer is installed. Also, the row and column boxes are unavailable if you open Page Setup from the Print screen instead of the Page Layout tab.
- Header only prints once: make sure you set it for the right sheet. Print Titles is set per worksheet.
- Printing a selection: Print Titles still apply when you print a selected range or a print area.
- Table header rows: Excel tables don’t automatically repeat their header when printed; use Print Titles on the row containing the table headers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set print titles for all sheets at once?
No. Repeat the steps on each sheet. Copying a sheet (right-click the tab > Move or Copy > Create a copy) keeps its print titles.
Does this work in Excel for Mac?
Yes. Go to Page Layout > Print Titles and fill in Rows to repeat at top.
How do I remove print titles?
Open Page Layout > Print Titles, clear the Rows to repeat at top box, and click OK.
Summary
- Go to Page Layout > Print Titles.
- Set Rows to repeat at top to $1:$1 (or your header rows).
- Optionally set Columns to repeat at left.
- Check in File > Print.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.