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

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.

  1. Select View on the ribbon.

  2. Select Freeze Panes. If you're using Excel for Mac, skip this step.

  3. Select Freeze Top Row.

    A screenshot showing how to freeze panes a worksheet in Excel

  4. 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:

  1. Select View.

  2. Select Freeze Panes. If you're using Excel for Mac, skip this step.

  3. Select Freeze First Column.

    A screenshot showing how to freeze panes a worksheet in Excel

  4. 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:

  1. 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.

  2. Select View.

  3. Select Freeze Panes. If you're using Excel for Mac, skip this step.

  4. Select Freeze Panes.

    A screenshot showing how to freeze panes a worksheet in Excel

  5. 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.

A screenshot showing how to unfreeze panes in Excel

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?