Freezing cells in Excel keeps a header row, first column, or table corner visible while the rest of the worksheet scrolls. The command you want is Freeze Panes, and the right click or tap depends on whether you use Windows, Mac, Excel for the web, iPad, or iPhone.
Start with your device, pick the row, column, or cell that controls what stays on screen, and Excel does the rest.
Keep rows or columns visible in Excel for Windows
To freeze the first row, choose View > Freeze Panes > Freeze Top Row. If you would rather use the generic command, select cell A2 first, then choose View > Freeze Panes > Freeze Panes. Freeze Panes freezes the rows above and the columns to the left of the selected cell, so a selection like B2 would freeze column A too.
To freeze the first two columns, select the third column, then choose View > Freeze Panes > Freeze Panes.
To freeze rows and columns together, select the cell directly below the rows and directly to the right of the columns you want to keep on screen. Then choose View > Freeze Panes > Freeze Panes.
If the freeze lands in the wrong place, choose View > Freeze Panes > Unfreeze Panes, select the correct cell, and apply Freeze Panes again.
Use Freeze Panes in Excel for the web
Excel for the web has Freeze Panes on the browser ribbon when the workbook is open in Editing mode.
Select the row, column, or cell that sets the area you want to keep visible. Go to View > Freeze Panes, then choose the freeze option shown for your current selection.
For keyboard access on Windows, press Alt + Windows logo key + W to open the View tab. On a Mac keyboard, start access keys with Control + Option.
Set frozen rows and columns on a Mac
Open the worksheet and select View.
Choose Freeze Top Row to keep the top row visible.
Choose Freeze First Column to keep the first column visible instead.
Select cell B2 to freeze both the top row and first column.
Choose View > Freeze Panes.
For multiple rows or columns, select the row below the last row you want frozen, or the column to the right of the last column you want frozen.
Choose View > Freeze Panes.
Use Unfreeze Panes from the View tab when you want to remove the freeze.
A cell like D5 freezes the rows above it and the columns to its left.
Fix grayed-out Freeze Panes
The most common cause on Mac is that the worksheet is not in Normal view.
Select View, then choose Normal. Return to the View tab and use Freeze Panes again.
If the View tab is missing entirely, you may be using Excel Starter. Excel Starter does not include every Excel feature, so use a supported Excel version to get Freeze Panes.
Freeze rows on iPad or iPhone
Use this method when you are editing a workbook in Excel on an iPad or iPhone. It keeps rows or columns visible while you scroll through the sheet.
On iPad, tap View > Freeze Panes, then tap the option you need for the top row or first column.
For multiple rows on iPad, select the row below the last row you want to freeze. Tap View > Freeze Panes > Freeze Panes.
For multiple columns on iPad, select the column to the right of the last column you want to freeze. Tap View > Freeze Panes > Freeze Panes.
On iPhone, tap the ... button to bring up the ribbon. Tap Home > View, scroll down, then tap Freeze Panes.
To remove frozen panes on iPad or iPhone, tap View > Freeze Panes, then clear all selected options.
Find Freeze Panes with Search or keyboard access
This fixes the slow hunt through the ribbon.
In desktop Excel, select the cell, row, or column that defines what should stay visible.
Press Alt + Q.
Type Freeze Panes.
Choose the matching Freeze Panes command.
In Excel for the web on Windows, press Alt + Windows logo key + Q.
Type Freeze Panes.
Choose the matching command and press Enter.
On Windows desktop Excel, press Alt to show Key Tips, press W for the View tab, then follow the Key Tips shown for Freeze Panes.
Pin Freeze Panes to the toolbar
Select the ribbon tab or group where the Freeze Panes command appears.
Right-click Freeze Panes.
Select Add to Quick Access Toolbar.
Select Customize Quick Access Toolbar > More Commands if you want the full settings route.
Set Choose commands from to All Commands when needed.
Choose Freeze Panes, select Add, then select OK.
Once it is on the Quick Access Toolbar, Freeze Panes becomes a one-click command in desktop Excel.
Lock cells from editing instead
Use this method when you do not want cells to be changed. That is different from freezing panes, which only keeps rows or columns visible while you scroll.
Select all cells, then open the Format Cells dialog from the Home tab with the Font Settings launcher, or press Ctrl + 1.
In Format Cells > Protection, uncheck Locked, then select OK.
Select the cells you want to lock.
Open Format Cells again, go to Protection, check Locked, then select OK.
Select Review > Protect Sheet. Choose what users can change, optionally enter a password, then finish the dialog.
In Excel desktop on Windows, Review > Allow Edit Ranges lets specific ranges remain editable while the sheet is protected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I freeze more than one row in Excel?
Yes. Select the row directly below the last row you want frozen, then choose View > Freeze Panes > Freeze Panes.
Can I freeze rows and columns at the same time?
Yes. Select the cell below the rows and to the right of the columns you want to keep visible, then apply Freeze Panes.
How do I unfreeze cells in Excel?
Use View > Freeze Panes > Unfreeze Panes on desktop Excel. On iPad or iPhone, open View > Freeze Panes and clear the selected freeze options.
Is freezing cells the same as locking cells?
No. Freezing keeps rows or columns visible while scrolling. Locking cells prevents editing and requires worksheet protection.
