Office Settings & Configuration

How to Fix Excel Freeze Panes Creating a Split on MacBook M1

John Wilson Oct 9, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is attempting to freeze rows and columns in Excel for Mac but the application creates a split window instead.

How to Fix Excel Freeze Panes Creating a Split on MacBook M1

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: macOS (MacBook M1)
Scenario: Trying to lock specific rows and columns in place to keep headers visible while scrolling through a large spreadsheet.
Observed behavior: Instead of locking the designated rows or columns, the worksheet divides into separate, independently scrollable split divisions.

Before you start

Verify that you are selecting a single cell rather than an entire row or column before clicking the Freeze Panes button, and ensure your workbook is saved before rolling back any application versions.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Correct Cell Selection for Freeze Panes

Ensure you are using the exact cell selection method required for freezing panes, as selecting the wrong area or clicking the wrong button will activate the Split feature instead.

Freeze Panes and Split are located close to each other on the View tab, but they function differently. Freeze Panes locks rows/columns in place, while Split divides the window into separate scrolling areas.

Select the target cell

Click to select the single cell that is immediately below the row you want to freeze and to the right of the column you want to freeze.

Navigate to the View tab

Look at the top Excel ribbon and click on the 'View' tab.

Apply Freeze Panes

Click on 'Freeze Panes' and select 'Freeze Panes' from the drop-down menu. Be careful not to click the 'Split' button.

Use the Correct Cell Selection for Freeze Panes

Unfreeze Before Retrying: If your screen is already split, click 'Split' again to remove it, or click 'Freeze Panes' > 'Unfreeze Panes' before attempting the correct selection.

Solution 2

Report the Bug and Roll Back the Excel Version

If you are using the correct method and the issue persists, it is a known bug on Mac. Report it to Microsoft and restore an older version of Excel.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Bug-Free Spreadsheet Experience on Mac

Tired of dealing with unpatched Excel bugs on your MacBook M1? WPS Office provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and fully featured alternative. Easily freeze panes, analyze data, and manage spreadsheets without frustrating glitches.

1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for Mac from the official website and complete the installation.
2. Open your Excel File: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open your existing .xlsx workbook directly.
3. Freeze Panes Smoothly: Navigate to the View tab, select your target cell, and use the Freeze Panes tool seamlessly.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel formats (.xlsx, .xls, .csv).Native optimization for Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) for lightning-fast performance.Reliable Freeze Panes and view management tools without the split-screen bug.Completely free to use with a familiar, user-friendly interface.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Freeze Panes and Split in Excel?

Freeze Panes locks specific rows or columns in place so they remain visible as headers while you scroll through the rest of your data. Split creates separate, independently scrollable divisions of the entire worksheet window, allowing you to look at two distant parts of the same sheet simultaneously.

Why is the Freeze Panes button greyed out on my Mac?

The Freeze Panes option may be greyed out if you are currently editing a cell (double-clicked inside it), if the worksheet is protected, or if you are in Page Layout view. To fix this, press Escape to stop editing, switch to Normal view under the View tab, or unprotect the sheet.

How do I completely unfreeze panes in Excel for Mac?

To remove frozen rows or columns, navigate to the View tab on the main ribbon, click on the Freeze Panes icon, and select 'Unfreeze Panes' from the drop-down menu. The sheet will return to its default scrolling behavior.

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