This article shows you how to freeze cells in Excel so that they can be visible while you are navigating to another area of the sheet. Below we will show you the steps on how you can freeze a row or freeze a set of rows, freeze a column, or freeze the first row or column in the Excel sheet.
Below we will show you the steps on how you can freeze a row or freeze a set of rows
Sometimes, you are working with a huge dataset in Excel and you may want to lock specific rows or columns so that you can be able to view the data of the rows or columns while scrolling to another area of the sheet. This can be done through a feature known as Freeze Panes.
This command facilitates you to lock your columns or/ and rows at the same time while you are scrolling through the entire database. The contents of the columns/ rows will remain on the screen.
For example, if the first row or column has the headings then you might freeze that row or column so that it can be visible to you when you scroll down on the page.
How to freeze a row in Excel
To freeze a row in Excel is a matter of a few clicks. You need to click view Tab> Freeze Panes and then select any one option as per your need of how many rows you want to lock:
- Freeze Top Row-It will lock the first row
- Freeze Panes- these will lock several rows
Here, we are providing detailed guidelines.
How to freeze the topmost row in Excel
As shown in the image, you can see to freeze the top row in Excel you need to go to the view Tab, Window group, and click on Freeze Panes. Then click on Freeze Top Row from the three options. This feature will lock the very first row of your worksheet so that the contents can be visible to you when you navigate to another area of the sheet. You can realize the top row is freezing by a grey line below the row.
How to freeze multiple rows in Excel?
If you want to lock a set of rows (starting with row1) then carry out the following steps:
- Step 1: Select the row or the first cell of the row just right below the last row you want to freeze.
- Step 2: Go to the View tab> Freeze Panes
Suppose, if you want to freeze the top two Rows then you have to select A3 or the entire row 3. Then click on Freeze panes. You will be able to scroll through the contents of the sheet while continuing to view the contents of the first two rows.
Remember that Microsoft Excel only allows freezing the rows at the tops, not in the middle of the sheet.
How can I freeze a column?
Freezing columns in Excel will lock or fixes the columns so that the contents of the columns can be visible to you while scrolling through the database. Freezing columns also facilitates comparing various columns of the worksheet. It also saves scrolling time for the user.
To freeze the first column of the database you need to carry out the below steps:
Click View tab> Freeze Panes> Freeze First Column.
Freeze the First Row or Column
To freeze the first Row or Column on an Excel sheet you need to select cell B2. Then select the View tab present in the toolbar at the top of the sheet. Then from the Window group click on Freeze Panes. Select the Freeze Panes option from the pop-up menu.
Now, when you scroll through the database you will be able to view the contents of Row1 and Column A.
Can I unfreeze panes in Excel?
Yes, you can unfreeze panes in MS Excel. To unlock frozen columns or rows you have to carry out the below steps:
Go to View tab> Window group> Freeze Panes> Unfreeze Panes
Thus, you can unlock the frozen rows or columns.
Wrap Up:
MS Excel provides us with the opportunity to be able to view the contents of some locked rows or columns while scrolling through the entire database. But you must remember that the Freeze Pane command will not be available while you are in cell editing mode.
That means while you are entering data into a cell or putting some formula then you will be not able to use this command.
You will be able to choose the top Row or the very left column of the sheet to be frozen. You can also freeze multiple rows or columns simultaneously. For example, if you freeze Row 1 and later you decide to freeze column A, then Row 1 will no longer be frozen.
If you want to freeze them both, you have to freeze them at the same time.
