Office Settings & Configuration

How to Keep a Specific Row Visible While Hiding Rows Above It in Excel

WPS Editor Sep 30, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to keep a specific row continuously visible on the screen while scrolling, without displaying the rows immediately preceding it.

How to Keep Row 16 Visible While Hiding Rows Above It

Product: Spreadsheet
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Organizing and viewing a large spreadsheet where a specific row acts as a persistent header or reference, but the data immediately above it is not needed for the current task.
Observed behavior: To achieve this display state, a combination of the Freeze Panes function to lock the row and the Hide function to conceal the unwanted upper rows is required.

Before you start

Identify the exact row you want to keep visible on your screen and verify the range of rows above it that you intend to hide before applying the layout changes.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Freeze Panes in Combination with Hide Rows

The most effective way to lock a specific row while removing the preceding rows from view is to freeze the layout first, and then hide the unwanted rows.

Spreadsheet software does not allow you to freeze a row in the middle of a sheet without freezing everything above it. By freezing the target row and then hiding the rows above it, you create a custom view where your specific row remains anchored at the top of your workspace.

Select the row below your target

To keep row 16 visible, click on the row number '17' on the left side of the screen to highlight the entire row immediately below your target row.

Apply the Freeze Panes command

Navigate to the 'View' tab on the top ribbon menu, click on the 'Freeze Panes' button, and select 'Freeze Panes' from the drop-down list.

Select the rows to hide

Click and drag your cursor over the row numbers from 1 through 15 on the left side of the screen to highlight the rows you want to conceal.

Hide the selected rows

Right-click anywhere on the highlighted row numbers (1 through 15) and select 'Hide' from the context menu. Row 16 will now remain visible at the top of your screen as you scroll down.

Use Freeze Panes in Combination with Hide Rows

Restoring Hidden Rows: To unhide the rows later, hover your cursor over the top edge of the row headers until you see a double-line icon, or press Ctrl+A to select the entire sheet, right-click any row number, and choose 'Unhide'.

Manage Spreadsheets Easily

Easily Freeze and Hide Rows in WPS Spreadsheet

WPS Spreadsheet provides intuitive tools to customize your data views, including seamless Freeze Panes and Row Hiding capabilities that work exactly like Microsoft Excel.

1. Open your file in WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office and open your existing spreadsheet document.
2. Freeze the target row: Select the row just below the one you want to keep visible, go to the 'View' tab, and click 'Freeze Panes'.
3. Hide unwanted rows: Highlight the rows above your target, right-click the row numbers on the left margin, and select 'Hide'.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xls) file formats.Intuitive ribbon interface for quick access to View and Freeze Pane settings.Lightweight software that runs smoothly on Windows, Mac, and Linux.Free and comprehensive alternative for daily data analysis and formatting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze multiple specific rows that are not at the top?

You cannot freeze rows in the middle of a sheet without freezing all rows above them. However, by freezing the specific row you want and then hiding the unwanted rows above it, you can achieve the visual effect of freezing an isolated row.

Why is the Freeze Panes option greyed out?

Freeze Panes might be disabled if you are currently editing a cell (your cursor is blinking inside it), if multiple worksheets are grouped, or if the worksheet is protected. Press 'Esc' to exit cell editing or unprotect the sheet via the Review tab.

How do I unfreeze panes if I make a mistake?

To remove the frozen rows, go to the 'View' tab, click on 'Freeze Panes', and select 'Unfreeze Panes' from the dropdown menu. Your sheet will return to its standard scrolling behavior.

Does hiding rows delete the data or formulas inside them?

No, hiding rows only removes them from the current visual display. The data, formulas, and formatting inside those hidden rows remain perfectly intact and will still be calculated in your spreadsheet.

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