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How do you split an Excel workbook into one file per sheet, or every N rows, on a Mac?

By Kayabyte · Last updated 31 October 2026

To split an Excel workbook into separate files on a Mac, move each sheet into its own new workbook with Move or Copy Sheet and save it. To split one sheet into files of N rows, copy blocks of rows into new workbooks. Both are manual: we found no built-in command for either in Excel for Mac (checked 1 November 2026). Gridhand’s Split tool writes one file per sheet, or a new file every N rows, in one run. This guide is about splitting by sheet or by row count; to make one file per customer, region or month, see split by column value.

One file per sheet, by hand

  1. Control-click (or right-click) the sheet tab and choose Move or Copy.
  2. In “To book” choose “(new book)”, tick “Create a copy” and click OK.
  3. In the new workbook choose File, Save As and name it.
  4. Repeat for every sheet. With 30 sheets that is 30 rounds.

Formulas that pointed at other sheets of the original keep a link to the original file, which you usually do not want in a file you send out; convert them to values first (copy, Paste Special, Values).

Every N rows, by hand

  1. Copy the header row and rows 2 to N+1 into a new workbook, and save it.
  2. Repeat with the next block, remembering to copy the header each time.

For a large sheet that is slow, and a missed header is easy to miss. A macro that loops over blocks can do it, but you have to write, test and maintain it.

With Gridhand

Gridhand Split works on the file itself, so cell formatting, column widths, merged cells, filters, validation and conditional formatting come along. Pick “One file per sheet” or “A new file every N rows”; for N rows the header rows are repeated in each file and files are numbered part 01, part 02. Names never overwrite anything, and your original is not modified. A safety limit stops a split that would create hundreds of files by mistake; you can raise it.

What changes: tables become plain ranges (the look stays on the cells), drawings and comments of rows that moved elsewhere are dropped, formulas that point at other sheets become values, and macros are not carried. The report lists each.

Steps with Gridhand

  1. Drop the workbook into Gridhand and choose Split.
  2. Choose “One file per sheet”, or “A new file every N rows” and enter N and the number of header rows.
  3. Check the preview, choose an output folder and press Run.

To split by the values in a column instead, see split Excel by column value. Split counts as 1 file per run, so it fits the free limit; Gridhand Pro is USD 49 once. Download Gridhand

Questions

Can I split a sheet into files of 1,000 rows? Yes. Choose “A new file every N rows”, enter 1000, and set how many header rows to repeat.

Does splitting keep the formatting? Cell formatting, widths, merged cells, filters and validation are kept. Tables become plain ranges and the report says so.

Does it change my original workbook? No. Results are new files in the folder you choose.

Microsoft and Excel are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. Gridhand is made by Kayabyte and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Microsoft.