To add a header in Google Sheets, click A1, type your first column label, press Enter, then enter the remaining labels across row 1. Keep your records beneath those labels, and freeze the header row if you want it to stay visible while you scroll.
For ordinary column headings, enter labels directly in cells. For structured table headers, convert your range to a table. For text above a printed sheet, add a page header through print settings.
The short version
- Ordinary headers: Enter your column labels across the first row, above your records.
- Existing data: Insert a row above row 1 before typing labels.
- Scrolling: Choose View > Freeze and select how many top rows to keep visible.
- Structured tables: Select your range and choose Format > Convert to table.
- Printed headers: Open File > Print > Headers & footers to configure printed page information.
| What you need | Where to start | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Column labels | Cells across row 1 | Names each column above its records |
| Space above existing data | Insert 1 row above | Creates an empty row for labels |
| Header styling | Toolbar formatting controls | Changes the appearance of existing labels |
| Alternating backgrounds | Fill color > Alternating colors | Styles the labeled data range |
| Headers visible while scrolling | View > Freeze | Keeps existing top rows visible |
| Headers on a phone or tablet | Double-tap A1 in the Sheets app | Lets you enter labels using your device |
| Structured table headers | Format > Convert to table | Creates a table with named columns |
| A ready-made table | Insert > Pre-built table | Inserts a table you choose from the sidebar |
| Structured header styling | Format > Table formatting | Adjusts the table header style |
| A title across columns | Format > Merge cells | Creates a wider title cell |
| Filter controls | Data > Create a filter | Adds controls above your records |
| Labels excluded from sorting | Data has header row | Keeps existing labels out of the sort |
| Printed document information | Headers & footers | Adds selected information to printed pages |
| Custom printed page text | Edit custom fields | Lets you enter your own printed header |
| Column labels on every printed page | Repeat frozen rows | Repeats frozen labels across pages |
Enter your column labels in the top row
Open your spreadsheet and click A1. Type a label such as Name, press Enter, then click B1 and enter the next label, such as Amount. Continue across the row until each column has a heading, with the records beneath it.
When your data already starts in row 1, create space before entering labels. Select row 1 by clicking its row number, right-click that number, and choose Insert 1 row above. Enter the labels in the new empty row; you can also insert multiple rows in Google Sheets when you need room for both a title and column labels.
Keep each label in the cell above the records it describes. To rename columns using header labels, edit the text in those cells.
Format the header so it stands out
Select the cells containing your labels, then click Bold in the toolbar. Use Fill color to add a background or Borders to outline the header cells. These controls style the labels you have already entered.
For long headings, select the cells and use the toolbar's wrapping control to wrap text in Google Sheets. You can also adjust the font size and alignment from the toolbar.
For alternating backgrounds throughout the data, select the range including your header labels. Choose Fill color > Alternating colors and choose the styling you want. Enter the column names first, since alternating colors formats an existing range.
Keep the header visible while scrolling
After entering your labels, select the header row and choose View > Freeze. Select the number of top rows you want to retain. When a title sits above the labels, include both rows so the column headings stay visible too.
You can freeze a row in Google Sheets whenever you need to keep existing labels on screen, but freezing does not supply column names. To remove the freeze later, choose View > Freeze > No rows.
Add and freeze headers on your phone
On Android, iPhone, or iPad, open the spreadsheet in the Google Sheets app. If records already occupy the top row, select row 1, tap Insert (+), and choose an option from the menu that appears, making sure the new empty row sits above your records. Double-tap A1 in the empty row, enter a label, and tap Done, then repeat across the row.
Select your header cells using the blue selection markers, then tap Format > Text > Bold. For a background or wrapping, open Format > Cell and choose Cell fill color or Wrap text. Tap the sheet to save the formatting.
On Android, touch and hold the header row's row number, then tap Freeze. On iPhone or iPad, tap the row number, tap the right arrow in the contextual menu, then tap Freeze. Use Unfreeze to reverse it.
To add mobile filter controls, open your labeled spreadsheet and tap More > Create a filter. Inspect the column titles for the controls after turning it on. To remove them, tap More > Remove filter.
Create a structured table with headers
In the desktop web app, select an empty range or a range containing your existing data. Choose Format > Convert to table, then set the appropriate column types. Sheets assigns names to the table and its column headers.
Another way to make a table in Google Sheets is to choose Insert > Pre-built table. Browse the sidebar, preview a suitable table, and insert it.
To customize an existing table's header background, open Table menu beside the table name and choose Table header color. For additional header styling, choose Format > Table formatting and adjust the header style in the sidebar.
Add a title above the column headings
To add a title that spans several columns, start with an empty row above your column labels. Enter the title in its leftmost cell, and select that cell plus the adjacent empty cells the title should span.
Choose Format > Merge cells, then select the desired merge option. After you merge cells in Google Sheets, format the resulting title cell. Keep the individual column labels in the row beneath it.
Keep labels separate from sorting and filtering
To add filter controls on a computer, select the labeled data range and choose Data > Create a filter. Controls appear at the top of the selected range. Include your existing labels in that selection, since creating a filter does not write column names for you.
When sorting a range that includes the labels, select the range and choose Data > Sort range > Advanced range sorting options. Check Data has header row, select the sort column and order, then click Sort. That setting excludes the labels from the sort, including when you sort by date in Google Sheets.
Add headers to printed pages
For text above the printed sheet, use Google Sheets on a computer and choose File > Print. Open Headers & footers and select the document information you want included. Choose Edit custom fields to adjust its location or format, then click Confirm and Next to continue printing.
To write your own printed header, open File > Print > Headers & footers > Edit custom fields. Type your text into a header field. Click Confirm, then click Next to continue printing. Your text appears in the printed output rather than in a row of spreadsheet cells.
To repeat your column labels on every printed page, freeze the rows containing them first. Open File > Print > Headers & footers, check Repeat frozen rows, then click Next. For labels down the left side, check Repeat frozen columns.
Use a computer to configure custom printed headers and repeated frozen labels. If you also need to set the print area in Sheets, handle that separately from the header settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you reuse headers from another spreadsheet?
Copy the source header cells and paste them into the first header cell of the destination sheet. To reuse the whole spreadsheet, choose File > Make a copy, enter a name and destination, then click Ok. Copying must be permitted for the source spreadsheet.
Can you start with a template that already has headings?
Open the Google Sheets home screen, click Template Gallery, and choose a template with suitable headings. A new copy opens, and you can edit its labels. Some template features require a work or school account.
Is there a keyboard shortcut for making headers bold?
Select the label cells and press Ctrl + B on Windows or ChromeOS, or Command + B on Mac. Some shortcuts vary by keyboard layout and language.
How can you find a header command without browsing menus?
Click Search in the toolbar or choose Help > Search the menus. Search for the operation you need, such as freezing, inserting rows, or printing, then select the matching command. You can also open Tool finder with Alt + / on Windows or ChromeOS, or Option + / on Mac.
