Controlling Spreadsheet Layout and Scrolling

As your spreadsheet grows, it's useful to controlling scrolling within it.

Creating Non-Scrolling Regions

If you have long rows or columns of data that extend well beyond the viewable area of the spreadsheet window, scrolling to the areas you want to see means you no longer see the column or row labels associated with the data you're viewing. For example, if you have a spreadsheet that has columns for different types of dollar amounts (interest paid, payment, and balance), and you scroll down to see data beyond the bottom border of the work area, you may not remember which column corresponds to which type of dollar amount because your column headings have scrolled up.

To fix this problem, you can make column or rows non-scrolling (see Figure 19-27).

Figure 19-27. Non-scrolling region

Horizontal Non-Scrolling Region

1. Select the row below the row you want to be in the non-scrolling region. All rows above the selection will be non-scrolling.

2. Choose Window > Freeze.

Vertical Non-Scrolling Region

1. Select the column to the right of the column you want to be in the non-scrolling region. All columns to the left of the selection will be non-scrolling.

2. Choose Window > Freeze.

Horizontal and Vertical Non-Scrolling Regions

1. Click the cell that is below the row and to the right of the column you want to make non-scrolling; for example, cell B2.

2. Choose Window > Freeze.

Turning Off Non-Scrolling Regions

Choose Window > Freeze.

Splitting a Window

If your spreadsheet is larger than the boundaries of your screen, and you're constantly scrolling to work with different parts of the spreadsheet, consider splitting it. Splitting lets you view and work with different sections of a spreadsheet simultaneously .

You can split the spreadsheet vertically, horizontally, or into fourths, depending on which cell is selected.

The split command won't work if cell A1 is selected.

Splitting vertically

Select any cell in row 1 (except cell A1) and choose Window > Split.

Splitting horizontally

Select any cell in column A (except cell A1) and choose Window > Split.

Splitting into fourths

Select any cell in the middle of the spreadsheet and choose Window > Split.

Resizing the split

You can resize the split areas by moving the cursor over the split line until it changes shape, then clicking and dragging the line to the new position, as shown in Figure 19-28.

Figure 19-28. Resizing a split area

To unsplit the window, choose Window > Split.