How to use Freeze Panes in Excel Spreadsheet?

Freezing the Upper, Left, or both parts (Row and/or Column Heading/s) to keep it visible while the rest of the worksheet scrolls up and down or left and right, called Freeze Panes.

For example, If the data in the sheet is not fully visible or if you are working with the current data when you scroll down or right, a portion of the data along with the row header or column header will be hidden on the screen.

Thus, in the worksheet, we enter or read the data by scrolling up and down, or on the left and right based on the row header and column header. In this case, we must freeze them so that the row header and column header will not be hidden. 

How To Freeze Panes in MS Excel

After entering the data along with the column headings and the row headings start reading descriptive contents or short contents by switching the tabs below.

Click the common cell (orange coloured cell as in the screenshot below) which is underneath the row header and immediate right of the column header as given in the 1st step of the screenshot below

(This is the first step to freezing the row header and column header in the green area).

Click the common cell which is underneath the row heading and immediate right of the column heading
Click the common cell which is underneath the row heading and immediate right of the column heading

Then go to the View tab

And then click on the “Freeze Panes”

Afterwards, select the same

Unstick Panes
Unstick Panes

Click the common cell (orange-coloured cell as in the screenshot) which is underneath the row header and immediately right of the column header.

Click the common cell which is underneath the row heading and immediate right of the column heading
Click the common cell which is underneath the row heading and immediate right of the column heading

Then go to the View tab → “Freeze Panes” → Again select the same name under it to freeze rows and columns in excel

Freeze Panes (Freeze rows and columns)
Freeze Panes in Excel

Now the column and row headers will be frozen as mentioned in the screenshot below

Frozen left columns and Top Row
Frozen left columns and Top Row

Now scroll right, then left to see the frozen columns as directed in the screenshot below.

Scroll to the right to see the frozen (sticky) green columns on the left
Scroll to the right to see the frozen (sticky) green columns on the left

In the same way, scroll down, then up to see the row frozen header as directed in the screenshot below.

Scroll down to see the frozen green row header
Scroll down to see the frozen green row header

Locking the top row of a worksheet while the rest of the worksheet scrolls is called freeze rows. To do so, follow the steps below:

Click the Freeze Panes → Then click “Freeze Top Row

Now Scroll the page left and right to see the frozen area of the worksheet.

The top row appears as you scroll down and then up the rest of the sheet
The top row appears as you scroll down and then up the rest of the sheet

Freezing/ locking the First column of a worksheet while the rest of the worksheet scrolls, is called freeze/locking the first column. To do it, follow the steps below:

To stick only the first column while scrolling the rest of the screen, → then select the “Freeze First Column

Now Scroll the page to see the frozen area of the worksheet.

The first column appears as you scroll right and then left the rest of the worksheet
The first column appears as you scroll right and then left the rest of the worksheet

Unfreeze the Panes in Excel

After freezing the upper part, left part, or both parts of the rows and columns (left column or first row in a sheet), click the “Unfreeze Panes” on View tab in Excel.

Unstick Panes
Unstick Panes

Finally, Microsoft Excel’s freeze panes are one of the best tools for managing and processing massive datasets, and heavy task in Excel spreadsheet. It improves visibility and allows for more efficient data analysis. Freeze panes can significantly enhance your workflow and make your spreadsheet experience more productive, whether you’re working on financial models, data entry, or any other Excel operation.

Video Tutorial

Can we freeze multiple panes in excel

No. Unfortunately, we don’t have such an option.

How to freeze 2 rows in excel?

Unfortunately, we don’t have such an option.

Do we have a freeze panes shortcut in excel?

No, we don’t have such a shortcut yet.