Microsoft Excel is the leading spreadsheet program for Microsoft windows. It is efficient for many users who mainly intend to analyze and record data. Its advantage is that it auto-fills data when making calculations, making it fast for users.
On some occasions, one may intend to freeze the top row and the first column. Freezing allows the user to lock the rows and columns so that during manipulations in the excel sheet, the column and the row will remain on the screen.
The following ways may be used for the top row and the first column to be frozen.
Freezing panes
Trouble-freezing is the best way to use when one wants to freeze the first column and the top row. Freezing the top row means that the top row will be locked, and it will remain visible when you navigate through the worksheet.
Freezing the first column means that the column remains visible when navigating the worksheet. To successfully freeze the top row and the first column, the following steps should be followed.
To freeze the top row
1. In the windows group, go to the “View” tab
2. Click freeze panes
3. Click freeze top row
To freeze the first column
1. In the windows group, go to the “View” tab
2. Click freeze panes
3. Click freeze first column
To realize that the cells have been frozen, the border under the top row and the first column will be slightly darker, indicating that the first row and the first column are frozen. Moreover, a faint line may also appear, indicating that the top row and the first column are frozen.
This makes it easy when navigating the spreadsheet.
Splitting panes
Besides freezing panes, splitting panes can also be used to freeze the top row and the first column in excel. Splitting panes will divide the excel window into two or four areas. You can When scrolling in one area, the cells in the other areas remain fixed.
To split the cells in an excel window;
1. Select the top row or the first column where you want the split
2. Click on the “View” tab
3. Click the “Split” button
Freezing the first row and the first column can be done efficiently by splitting the panes or freezing the panes so that one can work and scroll comfortably in the excel worksheet with the cells of the top row and the first column being visible.
Magic freeze button
The magic freeze button is a software shortcut key that allows you to easily freeze the rows and columns. For it to be more efficient, you can add it to the quick access area by clicking on the down arrow and then clicking on the commands. Add the freeze panes option to the quick access toolbar and use it as a shortcut key to freeze the panes.
To unfreeze the frozen panes, the same procedure may be used too.
