How to Freeze a Row in Microsoft Excel

Excel 2010 freezes a row to stay visible on the worksheet

Microsoft Excel 2010 can freeze, or lock, a top row as you scroll down the worksheet. For example, you may need to keep the top row of column titles visible at all times. The "View" tab on the command ribbon contains the "Freeze Panes" button in the "Window" group. A single row or a range of rows can lock through the "Freeze Top Row" or "Freeze Panes" options.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Open the Excel worksheet.

2. Click the top row heading. The row heading displays a number just left of the first column of cells. The selected row appears shaded.

3. Click the "View" tab on the command ribbon.

4. Click the "Freeze Panes" button in the "Window" group. A list of options appears.

5. Click the "Freeze Top Row" option. A black horizontal line appears on the worksheet. This line indicates the locked row that stays on the screen as you scroll down the worksheet.

Tips & Warnings

• To freeze more than one row, click the row heading below the area that will stay visible during scrolling. For example, to keep rows 1 to 7 visible on the screen, click row heading 8. Click the "Freeze Panes" button on the command ribbon. Click the "Freeze Panes" option. A black, horizontal line appears just below the locked rows. Scroll down to see the locked rows remain at the top of the window.

• The "Freeze Panes" command will not activate in a protected worksheet. Finish editing a cell before clicking the "Freeze Panes" button.

• To unfreeze the row or pane, click the "Freeze Panes" button on the command ribbon. Click the "Unfreeze Panes" option. The horizontal black line disappears.

References

• Microsoft Office: Support, Excel 2010, Freeze or Lock Rows and Columns