Office Settings & Configuration

How to Freeze Rows and Columns at the Same Time in Excel

Camila Milosovich Sep 28, 2026 872 views

Question details

The user needs to lock specific rows and columns simultaneously so they remain visible while scrolling through a spreadsheet.

How to Freeze Rows and Columns at the Same Time in Excel

Product: Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Navigating large datasets where keeping both the top row headers and left column identifiers on screen is necessary for data entry and review.
Observed behavior: The user needs to freeze both dimensions at once, which requires selecting the correct intersection cell before applying the freeze pane setting.

Before you start

Ensure you are using the desktop version of Excel, as the Freeze Panes feature may behave differently or have limitations when working in Excel for the web or SharePoint.

Solution 1Recommended

Freeze Both Rows and Columns Simultaneously

Use the Freeze Panes option to lock specific rows and columns by selecting the precise intersection cell.

To lock both rows and columns at the same time, you must select the single cell that acts as the intersection point. Everything above and to the left of your selected cell will become frozen.

Select the intersection cell

Click the cell immediately below the rows and to the right of the columns you want to freeze. For example, select cell B2 to freeze the first row and the first column, or click D3 to freeze rows 1 and 2 along with columns A through C.

Access the View tab

Navigate to the 'View' tab located on the main Excel ribbon at the top of your screen.

Apply Freeze Panes

Click on 'Freeze Panes' in the Window group, and then select 'Freeze Panes' from the drop-down menu.

Freeze Both Rows and Columns Simultaneously

Successfully Frozen: Both your selected rows and columns are now locked in place and will remain visible as you scroll through the rest of the worksheet.

Manage Data Effectively

Freeze Rows and Columns Easily with WPS Office

WPS Spreadsheet provides a smooth, user-friendly interface to freeze rows and columns simultaneously, making it easy to manage large datasets. It is fully compatible with Microsoft Excel files and offers a highly familiar layout.

1. Open your file in WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office and open the spreadsheet where you want to lock the headers.
2. Select the intersection cell: Click on the cell directly below the rows and to the right of the columns you want to keep visible (e.g., cell B2).
3. Navigate to the View tab: Click on the 'View' tab on the top menu ribbon.
4. Enable Freeze Panes: Click on 'Freeze Panes' and choose the 'Freeze Panes' option from the drop-down menu to lock your selection.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xls) formats without losing formatting.Intuitive and easy-to-use Freeze Panes feature for rows and columns.Free and lightweight alternative for everyday spreadsheet management.Seamless tabbed viewing to handle multiple spreadsheets in one window.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I unfreeze rows and columns in Excel?

To unfreeze your selection, go to the 'View' tab, click on 'Freeze Panes', and select 'Unfreeze Panes' from the drop-down list. This will instantly unlock all rows and columns in your worksheet.

Why is the Freeze Panes option grayed out or disabled?

The Freeze Panes option is typically grayed out if you are currently editing a cell (your cursor is blinking inside it) or if the worksheet is protected. Press Enter or Esc to finish editing the cell, or go to the Review tab to Unprotect Sheet before trying again.

Can I freeze multiple specific rows without freezing any columns?

Yes. To freeze just multiple top rows, click on the row number for the entire row directly below the last row you want to freeze (for example, click row 3 to freeze rows 1 and 2). Then, go to View > Freeze Panes > Freeze Panes.

Does freezing panes affect how the spreadsheet prints?

No, the Freeze Panes feature only affects how data is displayed on your screen. If you want specific rows or columns to repeat on every printed page, you need to use the 'Print Titles' feature found under the Page Layout tab.

Office App Problems