Understanding The Microsoft Excel Freeze Panes Command

Many of the worksheets that are created Excel contain headings in the top row of the sheet. Normally, when we scroll down the sheet, any headings at the top will disappear. Similarly, if we scroll to the right, any headings on the left will disappear. The Freeze Panes command, which is located in the View Tab of the Excel Ribbon, allows us to freeze our headings so that, as we scroll the sheet, headings remain in view.

Excel offers us three options: firstly, we can choose "Freeze Top Row". A bold horizontal line is then displayed underneath the first row which extends into the row headings. As we scroll down the worksheet, the headings at the top of the sheet remain in view. Similarly, we can choose "Freeze First Column". This time, the bold line extends to the right of the first column and into the column heading area. Then, as we scroll to the right, the first column remains frozen so that we can see the headings it contains and compare them with the data in the adjacent cells. To return to normal scrolling, we simply choose "Unfreeze Panes" in the "Freeze Panes" drop-down menu.

It is also possible to freeze an arbitrary number of rows and columns. To do this, select the cell below the last row you want frozen and to the right of the last column you want frozen. So, for example, to freeze the first row and the first column you would select cell "B2". Having highlighted the cell, in the "Freeze Panes" drop-down menu, you would then choose "Freeze Panes".

This time, you will notice two bold lines: one indicating the column that is frozen and one indicating the row that is frozen. Then, as you scroll down, the first row remains frozen and, similarly, as you scroll to the right the first column remains frozen. Once again, to go back to normal behaviour, we simply choose "Unfreeze Panes" in the "Freeze Panes" drop-down menu.

Since this command allows us to freeze any number of rows or columns, if you are working on a large worksheet perhaps containing multiple row and column headings, you will probably find it pretty much an essential feature.