Freeze rows and columns in Excel to keep headings visible while reviewing a large worksheet. These steps cover desktop Excel for Microsoft 365 and Excel 2024, 2021, 2019 and 2016.
Choose the boundary
Excel freezes everything above and to the left of your selected cell. For a worksheet with headings in row 1 and identifiers in column A, select B2. To retain two heading rows and two identifier columns, select C3.
Apply Freeze Panes
- Open the worksheet and select the cell below the rows and to the right of the columns you want to retain.
- Select View > Freeze Panes > Freeze Panes.
- Scroll down, then across. Confirm your headings and identifiers remain visible.
Correct or remove the boundary
If the wrong area stays fixed, select View > Freeze Panes > Unfreeze Panes. Select the correct boundary cell and repeat the steps.
For example, to retain only columns A and B, select the third column before applying Freeze Panes.
Source
Microsoft Support: Freeze panes to lock rows and columns. Reviewed 6 October 2026.
