What Is Freeze Cells In Google Sheets?
The Freeze Cells in Google Sheets helps us lock or fix the columns, rows or cells, as required, in a large dataset. It helps users view the data in a worksheet with the headers or the required columns, rows or cells, when we scroll up and down or right to left. Using the Google Sheets Freeze Cells feature prevents cell from getting edited. Also, it lets the readers efficiently view and analyze the data without any miss.
For example, the dataset given below consists of the fruits and their per unit and total cost.
We will freeze Column B using the Google Sheets Freeze Cells option.
The output dataset is shown above with a grey line in-between the dataset, without the Column B. Note, we have not deleted it, but locked the Column B, that is as good as hidden. However, when we move to the right of the worksheet, column A stays locked and the other columns C and D moves.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- The Freeze Cells in Google Sheets helps users lock the position of one or more cells, rows or columns in a large dataset, so that the fixed cells are visible when we navigate across the worksheet. It helps compare data easily and reduces scrolling and searching time.
- To freeze a row and column, we can select any data cell and select the freeze options. Then, the rows above and the columns before the selected cells freeze, until we unfreeze them.
- The methods used to Freeze cells are the same used to undo it, which means with only the same methods we can unfreeze the frozen rows or columns.
- The “Up to row/column …” option will give the number as per the selected cell.
How To Freeze Cells In Google Sheets?
We can Freeze Cells in Google Sheets in 2 ways, namely,
- Using drag bar.
- Using main menu.
Method #1 – Using Drag Bar –
We see a small rectangular space, at the upper-left part of the worksheet, i.e., at the start of the column-letters and the row-numbers, as shown below.
The right vertical bar and the bottom horizontal bar, of the small rectangular space, are thick grey lines, which will help us to freeze the columns and the rows, respectively.
The steps to Freeze Cells in Google Sheets Using drag bar are,
Step 1: Go to the vertical bar, click and drag to the right till the columns we want to freeze, here, till Column B, as shown below.
[Note: The vertical bar is no longer in its place, but has moved after the Column B. It means the columns are frozen till Column B.]
Step 2: Click the horizontal bar and drag below till the rows we want to freeze, here, till Row 5, as shown below.
[Note: The horizontal bar is no longer in its place, but has moved after the Row 5. It means the rows are frozen till Row 5.]
Method #2 – Using Main Menu –
The steps to Freeze Cells in Google Sheets Using Main Menu are,
Step 1: Choose the cells to freeze -> select the “View” tab -> click the “Freeze” option right-arrow and we get multiple options to choose, as shown below, namely,
- 1 row or 1 column – It will select the first row or first column, respectively.
- 2 rows or 2 columns – It will select the first two rows or first two columns, respectively.
- Up to row or Up to column- Based on the selection of cells it will give us an option to choose till what rows and columns we want to freeze.
Step 2: We can choose any of the available options. Here, we will choose the “1 row” option, as shown below.
We get the following output where the Row 1 is locked.
Step 3: Next, we will choose the “1 column” option, as shown below.
We get the following output where the Column A is locked.
Examples
We will consider some examples to Freeze Cells, Rows and Columns in Google Sheets,
Example #1
Consider the dataset given below that consists of Employee details such as their names, date of joining, age, gender and location. We will freeze the employee names column, using the Freeze Cells in Google Sheets, to view their respective locations.
The procedure to freeze the required column is,
Choose Column C – select the “View” tab – click the “Freeze” option right-arrow -select the “Up to column C” option, as shown below.
We get the output shown below, i.e., the grey line after Column C, indicating that the Column is locked.
The advantage is, we can view the location of the employees in the corresponding cells without any need to hide or reduce the column-width, as shown below.
Example #2 – Freezing Rows
Consider the dataset given below that consists of Employee details such as their ID, names, designation, city, client and compensation. We will freeze the rows using the Freeze Cells in Google Sheets.
The procedure to freeze rows is,
Select the “View” tab – click the “Freeze” option right-arrow – select the “2 rows” option, as shown below.
We get the output shown below, i.e., the grey line after Row 2, indicating that the rows 1 and 2 are locked.
Example #3 – Freezing Columns
Consider the same dataset of Example 2 given below, that consists of Employee details such as their ID, names, designation, city, client and compensation. We will freeze the columns using the Freeze Cells in Google Sheets.
The procedure to freeze columns is,
Select the “View” tab click the “Freeze” option right-arrow select the “2 columns” option, as shown below.
We get the output shown below, i.e., the grey line after Column B, indicating that the Columns A and B are locked.
Example #4
Consider the dataset given below that consists of Employee details such as their ID, names, salary and department. We will freeze a row using the Freeze Cells in Google Sheets to view the employee details that is not visible, because the sheets display only 16 rows in a page.
The procedure to freeze the required row is,
Select the “View” tab – click the “Freeze” option right-arrow – select the “Up to row 10” option, as shown below.
[Note: The “Up to row/column …” option will give the number as per the selected cell. Here, we can see that cell A10 is selected, therefore, we have the option “Up to row/column 10”.]
We get the output shown below, i.e., the grey line after Row 10 indicating that the particular row is locked.
The advantage is, we can view the rest of the employee’s details along with the headings from row 17 immediately after row 10, without zooming-out or reducing the zoom percentage from 100% to lesser number, as shown below.
Important Things To Note
- Once we freeze a row or a column, we cannot freeze another row or column. We must first Unfreeze the locked cells, rows or columns and then, use the Freeze Cells option on other row or column.
- Even though the cells are locked, when we copy the dataset, the entire dataset that gets hidden gets copied.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
It is important to Freeze Cells in Google Sheets because,
a. It helps the end users to comprehend data or information clearly, without missing any details.
b. It locks the rows and columns in a large dataset and doesn’t move when we scroll up, down, left or right of the worksheet.
c. We can line up the data with table headers, quick and easy, and retrieve the required information.
d. It gives the spreadsheet a professional look especially when it is a shared worksheet or when it is used for presentation.
We can Unfreeze the Frozen Cells in Google Sheets in a few ways, namely,
#Method 1 – Using the Main Menu –
To unfreeze rows, select the “View” tab – click the “Freeze” option right-arrow -select the “No rows” option, as shown below.
To unfreeze columns, select the “View” tab – click the “Freeze” option right-arrow – select the “No columns” option, as shown below.
#Method 2 – Using the Drag and drop of drag bar –
1. To unfreeze columns, drag and drop the vertical grey line towards the row numbers.
2. To unfreeze rows, drag and drop the horizontal grey line towards the column names.
3. Or else, in both the cases, drag and drop the grey lines to the upper-left corner of the worksheet where the small rectangular space is found, as shown below.
A few advantages are,
• When the headers are visible, then we can modify data easily without missing information.
• In a large dataset, we can project only the needed data.
A few disadvantages are,
• When we copy and paste the data values from the dataset, there are chances of missing the locked or frozen data.
• Even if a column gets hidden, we might unintentionally delete it.
An alternate way to Freeze Cells in Google Sheets is,
To freeze columns, right-click on the column you want to freeze – click the “View more column actions” option right-arrow – select the “Freeze up to column …” option, as shown
To freeze rows, right-click on the row you want to freeze – click the “View more row actions” option right-arrow – select the “Freeze up to row …” option, as shown below.
Download Template
This article helps understand the Freeze Cells in Google Sheets features through examples. You can download the template and use it instantly.
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