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How to Freeze the First Column in a Power BI Table

Elise Williams Sep 28, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user is trying to freeze the first column in a Power BI table so it remains visible during horizontal scrolling, and wants to know why the Stepped layout option is missing.

Product: Microsoft Power BI
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Designing a wide report visual in Power BI where horizontal scrolling is necessary without losing sight of the primary identifier column.
Observed behavior: The standard table visual allows the first column to scroll out of view, and the 'Stepped layout' feature often used for Matrix workarounds appears to be missing in recent updates.

Before you start

Verify your current Power BI Desktop version, as the formatting pane and visual settings undergo frequent layout changes in Microsoft's monthly updates.

Solution 1Recommended

Use a Matrix Visual and Disable Stepped Layout

Since standard Tables in Power BI do not support freezing columns, you must convert the visual to a Matrix and adjust the row headers to achieve a freeze-pane effect.

Power BI does not feature a native 'Freeze Panes' button for standard table visuals. To lock the first column, you need to use a Matrix visual. By placing your first column's data into the 'Rows' field well, it automatically remains fixed on the left while the 'Values' scroll horizontally.

In newer versions of Power BI, the formatting pane has been redesigned, which is why the Stepped Layout option can be hard to find.

Change the visual type

Select your existing Table visual on the report canvas. In the Visualizations pane, click the 'Matrix' icon to convert it.

Configure the fields

Drag the field you want to freeze (e.g., ID or Name) into the 'Rows' section of the Visualizations pane. Drag the remaining fields into the 'Values' section.

Locate the Row Headers formatting

Click the 'Format your visual' icon (the paint roller or paintbrush). Expand the 'Visual' tab and scroll down to expand the 'Row headers' section.

Turn off Stepped layout

Look for the 'Options' sub-section under Row headers. Toggle 'Stepped layout' to Off. This forces the matrix to display in a tabular format while keeping the row headers frozen on the left.

Use a Matrix Visual and Disable Stepped Layout

Visual Alignment: Disabling the Stepped layout ensures your Matrix looks exactly like a standard Table, but with the added benefit of fixed columns.

Solution 2

Consult the Power BI Community

If specific layout options remain missing due to continuous version updates, seeking help from Power BI specialists is highly recommended.

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Analyze Data and Freeze Panes Easily in WPS Office

While Power BI is a powerful tool for complex dashboards, sometimes you just need to analyze data and freeze columns without complicated visual configurations. WPS Spreadsheet provides a free, lightweight, and user-friendly alternative for managing your datasets, complete with native Freeze Panes functionality.

1. Export your Power BI data: Click the ellipses (...) on your Power BI visual and select 'Export data' to save it as a CSV file.
2. Open with WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office and open your newly exported CSV or XLSX file.
3. Freeze Panes instantly: Select the cell immediately to the right of the column you want to lock, navigate to the View tab, and click 'Freeze Panes'.

Instantly freeze rows and columns with a single clickFully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xls, .csv) formatsLightweight software that runs quickly on older hardwareFamiliar user interface makes data management effortless

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Stepped Layout option missing in my Power BI?

The Stepped layout option is exclusive to the Matrix visual. If you are using a standard Table visual, the option will not appear. Additionally, in the updated format pane, it is nested under Format visual > Visual > Row headers > Options.

Can I freeze multiple columns in a Power BI table?

Yes, by converting the visual to a Matrix. You can place multiple data fields into the 'Rows' section of the visual. All fields placed in the Rows section will act as frozen row headers on the left side while the remaining values scroll horizontally.

Is there a direct 'Freeze Panes' button in Power BI?

No, Power BI currently does not have a direct 'Freeze Panes' feature for standard tables like Excel does. The accepted workaround is utilizing the Matrix visual and modifying its row headers to replicate the frozen effect.

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