Freeze Columns In Excel

What Is Freeze Columns In Excel?

The Freeze Columns in Excel fixes or locks the column so that the data is visible when we navigate or scroll through the whole worksheet. The frozen column doesn’t move while scrolling the other columns.

The Freeze Excel Columns are categorized under the Freeze Panes of the Window group of the View tab.

Key Takeaways
  • The Freeze Columns in Excel is a feature that helps users to lock the position of one or more columns in a large dataset, so that the fixed column/columns are visible when we move or navigate across the worksheet.
  • This feature helps in comparing data easily, and also reduces the scrolling and searching time.
  • To freeze a row and column, we can select any data cell and select the freeze panes option. Then the rows above and the columns before the selected cell is frozen/locked until we unfreeze them.

How To Freeze Columns In Excel?

We can Freeze Columns in Excel as follows:

Select the “View” tab → go to the “Window” group → click the “Freeze Panes” option drop-down → select the “Freeze First Column” option, as shown below.

Freeze Columns in Excel

We can freeze one or multiple columns. Let us see how with examples.


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Freeze The First Column In Excel

In this scenario, we will Freeze the First Column.

Example to Freeze the First Column

The succeeding image depicts the deposits and withdrawal amounts of the person. Let us Freeze the first Column.

In the table, the data is,

  • Column A: Contains Date.
  • Here, column B: Contains Item.
  • Column C: Contains Amount.
Example to freeze the first column

The procedure to Freeze the first column is,

Step 1: Select the “View” tab → go to the “Window” group → click the “Freeze Panes” option drop-down → select the “Freeze First Column” option, as shown below.

Example to freeze the first column - Step 1
  • After applying this feature, the first column position remains constant when we scroll right, but the successive columns scroll left. As shown in the below image, after scrolling, column C moves to the left beside column A, and column B hides, but Column A stays on the screen at the same position.
Example 1 - Step 2

Freeze Multiple Columns In Excel

In this scenario, we will Freeze Multiple Columns.

Example to Freeze Multiple Columns

The succeeding image depicts the employee’s details of the company. Let us Freeze Multiple Columns.

In the table, the data is,

  • Column A: Contains ID.
  • Column B: Contains Date.
  • Here, column C: Contains the Location.
  • Column D: Contains Age.
  • Column E: Contains Gender.
Example to freeze multiple columns

The procedure to Freeze multiple columns is,

Select the “View” tab → go to the “Window” group → click the “Freeze Panes” option drop-down → select the “Freeze Panes” option, as shown below.

Example to freeze multiple columns - Step 1
  • After applying this feature, when we scroll right, the first two columns’ position remains constant, but the successive columns scroll left. As shown in the below image, column D moves left after scrolling, and column C hides, but column A and column B stay on the screen at the same position. 
Example 2 - Step 2

Freeze The Row And Column Together In Excel

Irrespective of where the datasets header is, the options freeze row and freeze column will lock only the first row and the first column when applied. To Freeze The Row And Column Together In Excel, a row and column apart from the first row and first column, we will consider the given fruit prices.

In the table, the data is,

  • Column A: Contains Fruit.
  • Column B: Contains Per/Unit cost.
  • Here, column C: Contains Unit.
  • Column D: Contains Total Cost.
Freeze Row and Column Together in Excel

The procedure to Freeze a row and column is,

First, select cell B2 [the cell adjacent to the row and column you want to freeze] → click the “View” tab → go to the “Window” group → click the “Freeze Panes” option drop-down → select the “Freeze Panes” option, as shown below.

Freeze Row and Column Together in Excel - Step 1
  • After applying this feature, when we scroll down, the first rows’ position remains constant, but the successive rows scroll up. As shown in the below image, row 3 moves up after scrolling, and row 2 hides but row 1 stays on the screen at the same position.
Freeze Row and Column Together in Excel - Step 2
  • The first column’s position remains constant when we scroll right, but the successive columns scroll left. As shown in the below image, column C moves left after scrolling, and column B hides, but column A stays on the screen at the same position.
  • Therefore, we can Freeze both the Rows and Columns on the same datasheet.

Unfreeze Columns In Excel

Let us understand how to Unfreeze Columns in Excel on the data of items and their prices. We will first freeze the columns and then Unfreeze them.

In the table, the data is,

  • Column A: Contains Item.
  • Column B: Contains Price.
Unfreeze Columns in Excel

The steps to Freeze and Unfreeze columns are,

  • Step 1: Select cell B3 [cell B3 below row 2 and right to column A] → click the “View” tab → go to the “Window” group → click the “Freeze Panes” option drop-down → select the “Freeze Panes” option, as shown below.
Unfreeze Columns in Excel - Step 1a
  • After applying this feature, when we scroll down, the position of rows 1 & 2 remains constant, but the successive rows scroll up. As shown in the below image, row 4 moves up after scrolling, and row 3 hides, but row 2 stays on the screen at the same position.
Unfreeze  - Step 1b
  • The first column’s position remains constant when we scroll right, but the successive columns scroll left. As shown in the below image, column C moves left after scrolling, and column B hides, but column A stays on the screen at the same position. As we can see, the data have only two columns, and column B is hidden, so the visible column is only column A.
Unfreeze - Step 1c
  • Step 2: As we have frozen the rows and columns so now, we can unfreeze them as follows:

Select the “View” tab → go to the “Window” group → click the “Freeze Panes” option drop-down → select the “Unfreeze Panes” option, as shown below.

Unfreeze Columns in Excel - Step 2a
Unfreeze Columns in Excel - Step 2b

Important Things To Note

  • We cannot Freeze Columns in Excel in the middle of the worksheet.
  • Creating multiple “freeze panes” in a single worksheet is impossible. The “freeze panes” can be applied only once.
  • The columns to be fixed should be visible at the time of freezing. Otherwise, they will remain hidden even after freezing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are Freeze Columns in Excel?

The Freeze Columns fix the position of the columns of the data in the worksheet.

2. Where are Freeze Columns in Excel?

The Freeze Panesoptions are listed as follows:

Select the “View” tab → go to the “Window” group → click the “Freeze Panes” option drop-down.

We get 3 options, namely, “Freeze Panes”, “Freeze First Row”, and “Freeze First Column”, as shown below.

Freeze Columns in Excel - FAQ 2

3. Freeze Panes in Excel shortcuts?

The Freeze Panes in Excel Shortcuts are,
• Freeze Top Row – Press the keys “ALT + W + F + R” to freeze the top row of the table.
• Freeze First Column – Press the keys “ALT + W + F + C” to freeze the first column of the table.
• Freeze Panes, i.e., both Rows and Columns – Press the keys “ALT + W + F + F” to freeze both the rows and the columns of the table.

Download Template

This article helps understand Excel’s working and usage of the Freeze Columns in Excel through examples. You can download the template and use it instantly.

This has been a guide to Freeze Columns In Excel. Here we freeze/unfreeze one/multiple columns, row-column together, examples & downloadable excel template. You can learn more from the following articles –

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