2 ways to freeze rows & columns (& How to unfreeze) in Google Sheets

Video how to freeze multiple rows in google sheets

In Google Sheets, you have the ability to freeze rows and columns in your spreadsheet. This means that a specified number of rows and/or columns will remain locked in place when you scroll, making it easier to read your sheets when the data extends beyond the screen view. Whether you want to lock your header rows or a column on the left side, freezing rows and columns can greatly improve your experience.

The Two Methods for Freezing Rows and Columns in Google Sheets

Let’s explore the two different ways to freeze rows and columns in Google Sheets. We’ll start with the click and drag method and then move on to the “View” menu method.

Click and Drag Method for Freezing Rows/Columns in Google Sheets

With the click and drag method, you can easily freeze rows and columns using your mouse, without the need to navigate any menus.

As shown in the image below, you’ll notice thick grey lines at the top left of your Google spreadsheet (above row 1 and to the left of column A). These lines serve as clickable borders that can be dragged downwards to freeze rows or to the right to freeze columns.

When you hover your cursor over these lines, it will turn into a hand to indicate the correct position.

How to Freeze Rows with the Click and Drag Method

To freeze rows using the click and drag method, locate the thick grey horizontal line on the left of the sheet, above row 1. Hover your cursor over this line until it becomes a hand icon. Click and hold the mouse, then drag your cursor downwards to the row you wish to freeze. Release the click, and you’ll see a thick grey border across the entire frozen row.

How to Freeze Columns with the Click and Drag Method

To freeze columns using the click and drag method, find the thick grey vertical line at the top of the sheet, to the left of column A. Follow the same steps as freezing rows, but this time, drag the cursor to the right until you reach the desired column. Release the click, and a thick grey border will appear across the entire frozen column.

“View” Menu Method for Freezing Rows/Columns in Google Sheets

The traditional method for freezing rows and columns in Google Sheets is using the “View” menu. By clicking “View” on the top toolbar, you can access the “Freeze” menu, which allows you to choose the number of rows or columns you want to freeze.

Here are the steps to freeze rows or columns with the “View” menu method:

Select any cell within the row or column you wish to freeze (you may also select the entire row or column).
Click on “View” in the top toolbar menu.
Hover your cursor over “Freeze.”
Choose the number of columns or rows you want to freeze. You can select 1 or 2, or if you’re freezing more than two columns or rows, you’ll have the option to freeze “Up to” the selected cell/row/column.

Now let’s take a detailed look at how to freeze and unfreeze rows, columns, or both in Google Sheets.

How to Freeze a Row in Google Sheets

Let’s say you want to freeze one row, typically to keep the headers visible at the top while scrolling. To achieve this, select “1 row” from the “Freeze” menu.

The image below demonstrates the steps to freeze a single row in Google Sheets.

After freezing the first row, as shown in the example image below, you’ll notice a thick grey bar between the first and second rows. This indicates that the first row remains frozen while scrolling, ensuring the headers are always visible.

How to Freeze a Column in Google Sheets

Instead of freezing a row, you may want to freeze a column to keep it fixed on the left side while scrolling horizontally. Simply select “1 column” from the “Freeze” menu.

The image below outlines the steps to freeze a single column in Google Sheets.

After freezing a column, as depicted in the example image below, you’ll see a thick grey bar between the first and second columns. This indicates that the first column remains frozen, ensuring it stays on the left side while scrolling horizontally.

How to Freeze Both Rows and Columns in Google Sheets

If you want to freeze both rows and columns, allowing the top row and leftmost column to remain fixed while scrolling, you’ll need to freeze them one at a time.

The example image below demonstrates the appearance of the data after freezing a row and a column (specifically, freezing both row 1 and column A). You’ll notice thick grey bars between the first and second rows as well as between the first and second columns, indicating that the first row and the first column are both frozen. This means that when you scroll down, the first row stays frozen at the top, and when you scroll horizontally, the first column remains frozen on the left.

How to “Freeze Panes” in Google Sheets

While Google Sheets doesn’t offer a specific “Freeze Panes” option like Excel, you can achieve the same effect by freezing rows and columns simultaneously. Follow the steps mentioned earlier to freeze both rows and columns, selecting the appropriate row or column as the boundary.

Remember, choosing the exact cell where you want to freeze “Up to” makes the process faster because you only need to select one cell, rather than selecting a row and then a column.

How to Freeze Two Rows or Two Columns in Google Sheets

Google Sheets allows you to freeze multiple rows or columns in your spreadsheet. To freeze two rows or two columns, select “2 rows” or “2 columns” from the “Freeze” menu.

The image below illustrates the steps to freeze two rows or two columns in Google Sheets.

After freezing two rows, as shown in the example image below, you’ll notice a thick grey bar between the second and third columns, signifying that the first two rows remain frozen. Now, when you scroll down, both row 1 and row 2 will stay frozen at the top of your spreadsheet.

How to Freeze More Than Two Rows/Columns in Google Sheets

If you want to freeze more than two rows or columns in your Google spreadsheet, select the “Freeze” menu option “Up to” the desired row or column. For example, to freeze three columns, freeze “Up to” column C.

To freeze more than two rows or columns, follow these steps:

Select the cell within the row or column you want to freeze.
Click on “View” in the top toolbar menu.
Hover your cursor over “Freeze.”
Choose “Up to row 3” or “Up to column C” from the “Freeze” menu.

Instead of selecting the entire row or column, you can simply choose the exact cell where you want to freeze up to. This allows you to freeze both rows and columns “Up to” the selected cell.

The image below demonstrates the steps to freeze more than two rows or columns in Google Sheets.

After freezing three rows, as shown in the example image below, you’ll notice a thick grey bar between the third and fourth columns, indicating that the first three rows stay frozen while scrolling. Now, rows 1 through 3 will remain fixed at the top of your spreadsheet.

By following these methods, you can make your Google spreadsheets easier to read and work with, eliminating the need for constant vertical or horizontal scrolling to view row and column labels.

Click here to get your Google Sheets cheat sheet

This content was originally created by Corey Bustos / SpreadsheetClass.com.

How to Unfreeze Columns and Rows in Google Sheets

Now that you know how to freeze rows and columns, let’s cover how to unfreeze them in Google Sheets. You can easily unfreeze rows or columns through the “Freeze” menu.

To unfreeze rows and columns, follow these steps:

Click on “View” in the top toolbar menu.
Click on “Freeze” in the dropdown menu.
Select “No rows” or “No columns” from the “Freeze” menu.

The image below demonstrates the steps to unfreeze rows and columns in Google Sheets.

After unfreezing rows and columns, as shown in the example image below, you’ll notice the absence of thick grey bars/borders between the rows and columns. This indicates that there are no frozen rows or columns.

Now that you know how to freeze and unfreeze rows and columns, you can enhance your Google spreadsheet experience. This feature will make your spreadsheets easier to read and work with, eliminating the constant need for vertical or horizontal scrolling to view row and column labels.

Click here to get your Google Sheets cheat sheet