How to Freeze Rows and Columns in Excel: Step-by-Step Guide
Freezing panes in Excel helps you keep specific rows or columns visible while scrolling through the worksheet. This is very useful for headers or labels.
Step 1: Open Your Excel Worksheet
Open the workbook or spreadsheet where you want to freeze rows or columns.
Step 2: Select the Row or Column to Freeze
-
To freeze the top row only: Go to the "View" tab in the Ribbon.
-
To freeze the first column only: Go to the "View" tab.
-
To freeze multiple rows or columns: Select the cell just below the last row and right of the last column you want to freeze.
Step 3: Go to the View Tab
Click on the View tab in the Excel Ribbon menu at the top.
Step 4: Click on Freeze Panes
In the 'Window' group, click the Freeze Panes drop-down button.
Here you will see options:
-
Freeze Panes: Freezes everything above and to the left of your selected cell.
-
Freeze Top Row: Freezes only the first row of your sheet.
-
Freeze First Column: Freezes only the first column.
Step 5: Choose Freeze Option
-
For freezing the top row only, choose Freeze Top Row.
-
For freezing the first column only, choose Freeze First Column.
-
For freezing multiple rows and columns, select the cell below and right of the rows and columns you want frozen and choose Freeze Panes.
Step 6: Scroll the Worksheet to Verify Freeze
Scroll down or right in the worksheet. You should see the frozen rows or columns stay in place while the others move.
Step 7: To Unfreeze Panes
If you want to undo the freeze, go back to View > Freeze Panes > Unfreeze Panes.
This method works in all modern Excel versions including Excel 2016, 2019, 2021, and Office 365.
See more Excel Related contents.