How-to guides · Microsoft Excel

Freeze header row and leftmost column at the same time in Excel

Freeze the row and left column above the selected cell in Microsoft 365, Excel 2024/2021/2019/2016. It is also available in the web version from [View], but the display name may change with updates.

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Freeze header row and leftmost column at the same time in Excel overview: Determine fixed boundaries with cells, Pin from display menu, Scroll vertically and horizontally to check, Cancel and reselect
An overview of this guide’s steps and checks, not a screenshot of the app.

Who this guide is for and what to prepare

  • People who lose track of headings in large lists

What you need

  • Open a horizontally and vertically long table with a heading in the first row and an ID in column A.

Determine fixed boundaries with cells

If you want to fix the first row and column A, select B2 directly below and to the right. If you want to fix up to the second row and column A, use B3. The key is to select the first cell at the bottom right of the range you want to fix, not the fixing target itself.

  1. Check the last line you want to fix
  2. Check the last column you want to fix
  3. Select the lower right cell

Pin from display menu

With B2 selected, choose [View] > [Freeze Panes] > [Freeze Panes]. [Freeze Top Row] alone does not freeze column A.

  1. Select B2
  2. Open display tab
  3. Freeze window frames

Scroll vertically and horizontally to check

If you move it down to the 50th row and the 1st row remains, and move it to the right and leave column A, it will be successful. A thick border appears on the left of column B and above the second row. If it is different from what you expected, release it once without guessing the fixed position.

  1. scroll down
  2. scroll right
  3. Check if row and column headings remain

Cancel and reselect

Select [View] > [Freeze Panes] > [Unfreeze Panes], select B2 again, and reapply [Freeze Panes]. Unfreezing does not change data or formatting. Split panes are a separate feature.

  1. Unpin
  2. Re-select border cells
  3. re-pin

Limitations and requirements

  • The top and left side of the selected cell are fixed.

Frequently asked questions

What if I want to fix only the first line?

Select View > Freeze Panes > Freeze First Row.

Will there be a heading on each printed page?

Frame fixation is only for screen display. For printing, specify the title line using the print title in [Page Layout].

Official sources and verification date

Sources checked: . Check the official sources below for changes to supported systems, plans and menus.

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