Excel Freeze Columns (Table of Contents)
What is Freeze Columns in Excel?
Freeze Column is a feature in Excel Spreadsheet which helps to Freeze a specific column so that the user can scroll vertically or horizontally through an open spreadsheet. It helps the user especially for the header column which he wants it to be visible.
Why Freeze Panes?
When you are working on the data which are large, you may not be able to view some of the data because it does not fit in the screen. So let’s take a look at the below excel sheet. As you can see in the above screenshot, you can only see till column U and Row 23. So if you have headers in Row 1 and you scroll down or right, the headers will not be visible.
This is where Freeze Panes come for help. Freeze panes can keep rows or columns visible while scrolling the rest of the worksheet.
How to Freeze Columns in Excel?
Freeze Panes come with three options and we will take a look at all of them one by one with examples.
Example #1 – Freeze Top Row
As you can see in the below Excel screenshot, Row 1 is the header for my report which contains Employees personal information and I want the headers to be visible all the time.
But when I scroll down now, I will not be able to see the header row.
So to keep the first row visible, I need to Freeze Top row. To Freeze the top row, we need to execute the following steps:
- Select Row 1 as shown in the below screenshot.
- Go to the View Tab in the Excel Sheet.
- Select Freeze Panes.
- In the drop-down list select Freeze top Row.
- So after selecting Freeze Top Row, you will be able to freeze row 1 and you can scroll all the data below Row 1 without losing the visibility to the headers.
Example #2 – Freeze First column
Now if you have important information in Column A which you want to be visible when you scroll towards right, you need to use Freeze the First Column option.
Suppose in our first example, I want to freeze the Employee Names in Column A. You will need to follow the below steps.
- Select Column A
- Go to the View Tab in the Excel Sheet.
- Select Freeze Panes.
In the drop-down list, select Freeze First Column.
Now when you scroll towards right, you can scroll without losing the visibility to column A.
Example #3 – Freeze Panes
To Freeze any pane in the sheet, either it’s a row or column you need to select the Freeze Panes option from the drop-down list. This option is not for Top Row and First Column, it will freeze your screen from any row or column which you want to freeze and scroll the rest of the data.
You need to follow the below steps to use this option. Go to the View Tab in Excel Sheet and Select Freeze Panes.
- Before selecting the freeze pane, you need to select the cell from where you want to freeze the pane.
- In the below example if I need to freeze data till Qualification and I want to freeze the top row, I will select cell D2 and click Freeze Panes.
Now as you can see data till column C and row 1 is always visible even if you scroll down or scroll towards the right.
How to Unfreeze the Freezed Panes?
If you want to unfreeze the pane and come back to the earlier view, you just need to follow the below steps.
- Select the Row or Column which is already Freeze.
- Go to the View Tab in Excel Sheet and Select Freeze Panes, In the Drop-Down list select Unfreeze pane so the row or column will be Unfreeze as shown in the below screenshot.
Things to Remember About Freeze Columns in Excel
- If the Worksheet is in Protected mode, then, you cannot Freeze or Unfreeze Panes.
- It is very important that while printing anything you need to Unfreeze panes as the Rows or Columns which are Freeze will not come while Printing the Worksheet.
- If you are in cell editing mode or page layout view you will not be able to Freeze or Unfreeze panes.
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