To freeze columns in Excel, select the column immediately to the right of the columns you want to keep visible, then choose View → Freeze Panes → Freeze Panes. For example, select column C to freeze columns A and B. To keep both the first row and first column on screen, select cell B2 and use the same command. To freeze the first three columns and first two rows, select D3 before choosing Freeze Panes. This works because Excel keeps the rows above and columns to the left of your selection visible when you scroll.
These directions follow Microsoft’s official Freeze Panes documentation. Below you’ll find the correct commands for one column, multiple columns, Windows, Mac, the web and mobile, plus fixes for gray or missing menu items. Freezing cells changes what remains visible while scrolling; it does not stop people from editing those cells.
Freeze the first column in Excel
- Open your worksheet in Excel.
- Select the View tab on the ribbon.
- Open the Freeze Panes menu.
- Choose Freeze First Column.
- Scroll horizontally to the right to confirm that column A stays in view.
When the first column is frozen, Excel adds a darker vertical line immediately to the right of it. You can still edit, copy, or format the column normally; it simply stays visible while you move across a wide sheet.
How to freeze two or more columns in Excel
To freeze columns A and B, select the heading of column C (or the appropriate cell in C) and click View → Freeze Panes → Freeze Panes. For columns A, B and C, select column D first. This is the official method Microsoft gives for freezing multiple columns.
| Keep visible | Select before freezing | Command |
|---|---|---|
| Only first column A | No special selection needed | View → Freeze Panes → Freeze First Column |
| Columns A–B | Column C, or cell C1 | View → Freeze Panes → Freeze Panes |
| Columns A–C | Column D, or cell D1 | View → Freeze Panes → Freeze Panes |
| Row 1 and column A | Cell B2 | View → Freeze Panes → Freeze Panes |
| Rows 1–2 and columns A–C | Cell D3 | View → Freeze Panes → Freeze Panes |
Important limitation: freeze panes keeps a continuous set of columns from the left edge and rows from the top. It cannot freeze only column C while letting A and B scroll away using the standard command. Consider moving the important column to the left side of your data or using a different worksheet view.
Freeze a row and a column at the same time
If your worksheet has names in column A and month labels in row 1, you probably want both to remain visible. Here is the reliable approach:
- First choose View → Freeze Panes → Unfreeze Panes if another configuration is already active.
- Click B2, which is directly beneath row 1 and to the right of column A.
- Choose View → Freeze Panes → Freeze Panes.
- Scroll down and right: row 1 and column A should stay in place.
Do not assume that selecting Freeze Top Row and then Freeze First Column one after the other combines the two options. If you need both, choose the selected-cell Freeze Panes command with B2. Microsoft uses this same approach for its Excel for Mac examples.
Freeze rows and columns using a cell address
When a spreadsheet has several header rows and identifier columns, the easiest rule is to select the cell at their intersection boundary. If you select D3, rows 1–2 and columns A–C are frozen. If you select F5, rows 1–4 and columns A–E are frozen. No formula is needed; the selected cell is just the boundary marker.
In other words, to keep the first N rows and first M columns visible, select the cell at row N+1, column M+1, and click Freeze Panes. If you want columns but not rows, pick a cell in row 1 of the column immediately to the right.
How to freeze columns in Excel on Windows, Mac and the web
Excel for Windows (Microsoft 365, 2024 and older desktop versions)
Use the View tab, then Freeze Panes. For the first column, select Freeze First Column. For two or more, select the cell or column immediately to the right of what should stay visible, then click Freeze Panes. To undo this, return to the same menu and select Unfreeze Panes.
Excel for Mac
The same selection rule applies: highlight the cell below the rows and to the right of the columns you want frozen. On Mac, go to View → Freeze Panes. Microsoft gives B2 as the example for freezing the first row and first column together, and D5 for freezing the first four rows and first three columns. If the Freeze button is dimmed, switch to the Normal view using View.
Excel for the web
In supported Excel web versions, use the worksheet’s View menu to find Freeze Panes. Choose the leftmost columns you want to keep in view or use the selected-cell option where your interface supports it. Exact labels can vary as Microsoft’s web interface changes, so refer to the live Microsoft support instructions if the menu appears differently.
Excel on iPhone or iPad
Microsoft’s Excel for iOS instructions say to use View → Freeze Panes. On an iPhone, you may have to tap the ellipsis (…) menu to open the ribbon and locate Home → View → Freeze Panes. On iPad, choose the column to the right of those you want to freeze if using a multi-column selection.
How to unfreeze columns and rows
To remove frozen panes, open the View tab, select Freeze Panes and choose Unfreeze Panes. This restores normal scrolling in both directions; it does not delete data or change formulas. To switch from freezing one column to freezing three, unfreeze the existing arrangement first, then select column D and apply the new setting.
Freeze Panes not working? Fix these common cases
| Problem | What usually helps |
|---|---|
| The Freeze Panes button is gray | Switch to Normal view. On Mac, Microsoft explicitly recommends this when the option is unavailable. |
| The wrong row or column stays visible | Unfreeze, select the cell immediately below/right of your intended boundary, then freeze again. |
| Two columns are frozen but the header row scrolls away | Select cell C2 instead of column C to freeze A–B and row 1 together. |
| The option is missing on mobile | Find the View settings within the compact ribbon; interface layout differs by device. |
| The user cannot edit certain cells | That is worksheet protection, not Freeze Panes. Review the Protect Sheet settings. |
| The header vanishes in printed pages | Use Print Titles; freezing only affects on-screen scrolling. |
If the window layout is unusual, verify that you are not using a Split view. The Split command creates separate scrollable regions, while Freeze Panes keeps a chosen header area static. The two controls are related but not interchangeable.
If you’re asking someone to help troubleshoot a frozen-pane layout, send a clear screenshot of the worksheet’s dark freeze boundary. Our Windows 11 screenshot guide and Mac screenshot shortcuts guide show how to capture the relevant Excel window without recording unrelated files.
Freeze columns vs. lock cells: an important difference
Excel uses the word lock in two different contexts. Freezing a pane “locks” a row or column’s screen position, but does not block editing. Protecting a worksheet locks editing permissions for selected cells. If your goal is to prevent a colleague from changing prices, formulas or identifiers, Freeze Panes is not the tool you need.
For editing restrictions, Microsoft recommends first unlocking any input cells that users should be able to edit, then opening Review → Protect Sheet. Its worksheet protection guide documents this workflow and notes that sheet protection is primarily for preventing changes, not strong file security.
Will a frozen header row repeat when you print?
No. Freezing a header keeps it visible on screen while scrolling, not at the top of every printed page. To print labels on every page, use Page Layout → Print Titles. For the first row, specify $1:$1 under Rows to repeat at top. Microsoft explains this in its Print the top row on every page guide.
Frequently asked questions
How do I freeze the first two columns in Excel?
Select column C and choose View → Freeze Panes → Freeze Panes. Excel keeps columns A and B visible while you scroll right.
How do I freeze the first three columns and two rows?
Select D3 and apply Freeze Panes. Everything above row 3 and to the left of column D stays visible.
Can I freeze column B but not column A?
Not with standard Freeze Panes. It freezes an anchored area from the leftmost column; to keep B visible you also freeze A. Consider moving important data into a leftmost column.
Can you freeze a column and still sort the worksheet?
Yes. Freeze Panes does not itself protect or disable sorting. Sorting and filtering behavior still depends on the worksheet’s data structure and any existing permissions.
How do I unfreeze columns in Excel?
Choose View → Freeze Panes → Unfreeze Panes. This removes the frozen display area without changing the underlying worksheet.
Why did Excel freeze both rows and columns?
You likely selected a cell below row 1 and to the right of column A before invoking Freeze Panes. It always freezes both areas relative to that selection. Select a cell in row 1 if you only want columns frozen.
Official Microsoft resources
The rules above were checked against Freeze Panes for Excel, the Mac instructions, and Microsoft’s iPhone and iPad instructions. Microsoft updates Office interfaces over time, so use these pages if your menu labels differ from the examples.
The quickest rule to remember
Choose the cell one row down and one column right from the header area you want to keep visible. C1 freezes A and B; B2 freezes row 1 and column A; D3 freezes rows 1–2 and columns A–C. Then use View → Freeze Panes → Freeze Panes. That’s the entire trick for keeping important Excel labels on screen while navigating large worksheets.
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