Freezing rows and columns in Excel: how it works

With Freeze Panes, your heading row or first column stays put while you scroll. You'll find it on the View tab. That way you always know what each column holds in a long list.

Try the first exercises for freeIn the lesson Freeze Panes and views

What does freezing do?

In a long list, the header row disappears from view as soon as you scroll down, and then you no longer know which column is the revenue and which is the costs. With Freeze Panes, you fix rows at the top or columns on the left: they stay where they are while the rest of the sheet scrolls.

You choose yourself what stays in place: only the top row, only the first column, or both. Freezing doesn't change anything about your data or your formulas, only about what you see on your screen.

When do you freeze rows or columns?

A long list with a header row: Freeze Top Row.
A wide table with names in column A: Freeze First Column.
A table with headings at the top and names on the left: click B2 and choose Freeze Panes.
An overview with two header rows: click A3 and choose Freeze Panes.

Freezing headings, step by step

This is how to go about it:

Go to the start of your sheet, so that row 1 is at the top of the screen.
If only the header row has to stay in place, choose View > Freeze Panes > Freeze Top Row.
If columns have to stay in place too, click the first cell that may scroll, to the right of and below your headings, such as B2.
Choose View > Freeze Panes > Freeze Panes. A thin line shows where the frozen rows and columns stop.
Scroll down and to the right: your headings stay where they are.

Where it often goes wrong

Freezing only changes what you see on screen, not what ends up on paper. For a heading row on every printed page, use print titles.
If you've scrolled down before you freeze, Excel freezes the rows that are at the top of the screen at that moment. So go back to cell A1 first.

Want to try it yourself?
Practise this in the lesson Freeze Panes and views. The first exercises are free.

Try the first exercises for free

Frequently asked questions

How do I unfreeze?

Choose View > Freeze Panes > Unfreeze Panes.

Why can't I choose Freeze Panes?

It doesn't work in Page Layout view. Choose View > Normal and try again.