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How to Freeze Panes and Split Views in Excel

Applies toMicrosoft 365ExcelExcel for the web
4 min fix Updated 9 Mar 2026 · 6 months ago

By , 10+ years in IT support and helpdesk How these guides are checked

Quick Answer

Click the row immediately below the rows you want to freeze, go to the View tab, click Freeze Panes, and select Freeze Panes from the dropdown.

Checked against Microsoft 365 Roadmap, Office release notes - Current Channel and between 5 Aug 2026 and 12 Sep 2026. Nothing published in that period has been linked to this guide.

Summary ​

When scrolling through large spreadsheets, your column headers and row labels disappear from view. Freeze Panes locks specific rows or columns in place so they stay visible while you scroll. This article covers freezing rows, columns, and using Split view.

Before You Start ​

  • Microsoft Excel (desktop or web).

Instructions ​

1. Freeze the Top Row ​

Keep your header row visible while scrolling down.

  1. Open your spreadsheet in Excel.
  2. Go to the View tab.
  3. Click Freeze Panes > Freeze Top Row.
  4. A thin grey line appears below Row 1, indicating it is frozen.
  5. Scroll down — Row 1 stays visible. Freezing affects the screen only; to repeat that header on every printed page, see How to Print an Excel Spreadsheet on One Page.

2. Freeze the First Column ​

Keep the first column visible while scrolling right.

  1. Go to the View tab.
  2. Click Freeze Panes > Freeze First Column.
  3. A thin grey line appears to the right of Column A.

3. Freeze Multiple Rows and Columns ​

Lock any number of rows and columns at once.

  1. Click the cell below the rows and to the right of the columns you want to freeze.
    • Example: To freeze Row 1 and Column A, click cell B2.
    • Example: To freeze Rows 1–3 and Columns A–B, click cell C4.
  2. Go to the View tab.
  3. Click Freeze Panes > Freeze Panes.
  4. Grey lines appear showing the frozen boundary.

4. Unfreeze Panes ​

Remove all frozen rows and columns.

  1. Go to the View tab.
  2. Click Freeze Panes > Unfreeze Panes.
  3. All panes return to normal scrolling.

5. Use Split View ​

Split the window into independent scrollable panes (without freezing).

  1. Click the cell where you want the split to occur.
  2. Go to the View tab.
  3. Click Split.
  4. Four panes appear — each scrolls independently.
  5. Click Split again to remove it.

Troubleshooting ​

TIP

If you freeze panes and your headers still disappear, check that you clicked the correct cell before freezing. The freeze applies above and to the left of the selected cell.

Symptom / ErrorPotential CauseSolution
Headers disappear when scrollingPanes not frozenFollow the steps above to freeze the top row or multiple rows.
Wrong rows or columns are frozenSelected the wrong cell before freezingClick Freeze Panes > Unfreeze Panes, then reselect the correct cell and freeze again.
"Freeze Panes" is greyed outCurrently editing a cellPress Enter or Esc to exit edit mode, then try again.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I freeze both rows and columns at the same time?
Yes. Click the single cell that is immediately below the row you want to freeze, AND immediately to the right of the column you want to freeze, then click Freeze Panes.
How do I unfreeze the panes?
Go to the View tab, click Freeze Panes, and select Unfreeze Panes. The grey lines will disappear and you will scroll normally.