How to Freeze Column and Row Headings in Excel GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Software & Apps > MS Office

How to Freeze Column and Row Headings in Excel

Freeze panes to keep track of where you are in a spreadsheet

By Ted French Ted French Writer Former Lifewire writer Ted French is a Microsoft Certified Professional who teaches and writes about spreadsheets and spreadsheet programs. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on May 23, 2022 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email

In This Article

Expand Jump to a Section Freeze the Top Row Freeze the First Column Freeze Both Columns and Rows Unfreeze Columns and Rows Frequently Asked Questions

What to Know

Freeze top row: View > Freeze Panes (Windows only) > Freeze Top Row.Freeze first column: View > Freeze Panes (Windows only) > Freeze First Column.Columns and rows: Select the rows and columns, then View > Freeze Panes (Windows only) > Freeze Panes. This article describes how to freeze rows and columns in Excel so that they're always visible, no matter where you scroll. Instructions apply to Excel 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007; Excel Online; and Excel for Mac 2016 and later.

Freeze the Top Row

Follow these three steps to get your worksheet's header to stay in place. Select View on the ribbon. Select Freeze Panes. If you're using Excel for Mac, skip this step. Select Freeze Top Row. A border appears just below Row 1 to indicate that the area above the line has been frozen. The data in row 1 remains visible as you scroll because the entire row is pinned to the top.

Freeze the First Column

To freeze the first column of a worksheet: Select View. Select Freeze Panes. If you're using Excel for Mac, skip this step. Select Freeze First Column. The entire column A area is frozen, indicated by the black border between columns A and B. Enter some data into column A and scroll to the right; you'll see the data move with you.

Freeze Both Columns and Rows

To keep specified rows and columns visible: Select a cell below the row that you want to freeze and to the right of the column you want to freeze. These are the rows and columns that will stay visible when you scroll. Select View. Select Freeze Panes. If you're using Excel for Mac, skip this step. Select Freeze Panes. Two black lines appear on the sheet to show which panes are frozen. The rows above the horizontal line are kept visible while scrolling. The columns to the left of the vertical line are kept visible while scrolling.

Unfreeze Columns and Rows

When you no longer want certain rows and columns to stay in place when you scroll, unfreeze all the panes in Excel. The data in the frames will remain, but the rows and columns that were frozen will return to their original positions. To unfreeze panes, select View > Freeze Panes > Unfreeze Panes. On Excel for Mac, select View > Unfreeze Panes instead. FAQ Why would I freeze rows in Microsoft Excel? Freezing rows keeps them visible across the top of your screen, no matter how far down you scroll. This is useful when a spreadsheet's rows extend downward past the height of your computer's screen and has multiple columns. Why would I freeze columns in Microsoft Excel? Freezing columns keeps them visible on the left side of your screen, no matter how far to the right you scroll. This is useful when a spreadsheet's columns extend to the right past the width of your computer's screen and has multiple rows. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Limit Rows and Columns in an Excel Worksheet How to Combine the ROUND and SUM Functions in Excel How to Hide and Unhide Columns, Rows, and Cells in Excel How to Make a Calendar In Excel How to Add, Hide, Freeze, or Remove Columns in Sheets How to Freeze and Unfreeze Rows or Columns in Google Sheets Splitting the Screen in Excel How to Freeze or Lock Columns and Rows in Excel How to Use the Excel INDEX Function How to Create a Histogram in Excel for Windows or Mac How to Combine Two Columns in Excel The Do's and Don'ts of Entering Data in Excel How to Calculate Percentage in Excel Round up Numbers in Excel With the ROUNDUP Function How to Find Variance in Excel How to Fix It When Arrow Keys Are Not Working in Excel Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies