Excel is one of the most commonly used tools in the office. As a professional, you may find yourself spending long hours working on spreadsheets, analyzing data, and putting together reports. One feature of Excel that can save you a lot of time is the ability to freeze rows and columns. This feature ensures that certain cells or rows stay in place while you scroll through your spreadsheet. However, did you know that it is possible to freeze both rows and columns simultaneously in Excel 2019?
What is freezing rows and columns?
Freezing rows and columns is a technique in Excel that allows you to keep certain cells or rows in view while scrolling through your worksheet. This means that you can keep the header row or other important information visible as you navigate through large data sets.
When you freeze rows and columns, Excel creates a divider that splits your worksheet into four areas: frozen rows, frozen columns, active area, and scroll bar. The frozen rows and columns are fixed in place, and the active area is where you can work with your data. The scroll bar allows you to move around your worksheet while keeping the frozen rows and columns in view.
Freezing rows and columns in Excel 2019
Excel 2019 makes it easy to freeze rows and columns. Here’s how:
- Select the cell to the right of the row you want to freeze and the cell below the column you want to freeze.
- Click on the View tab in the ribbon.
- Click on the Freeze Panes dropdown arrow in the Window group.
- Select Freeze Panes.
That’s it! Your selected row and column will now be frozen, and you can scroll around your worksheet without losing sight of them.
Freezing multiple columns in Excel
If you want to freeze multiple columns, the process is similar. Here’s what to do:
- Select the cell to the right of the last column you want to freeze.
- Click on the View tab in the ribbon.
- Click on the Freeze Panes dropdown arrow in the Window group.
- Select Freeze Panes.
Again, that’s it! Your selected columns will be frozen, and you can navigate around your worksheet without losing sight of them.
Freezing both rows and columns in Excel
Now, what if you want to freeze both rows and columns simultaneously? This is a bit trickier, but still doable. Here’s the process:
- Select the cell to the right of the last column you want to freeze and the cell below the last row you want to freeze.
- Click on the View tab in the ribbon.
- Click on the Freeze Panes dropdown arrow in the Window group.
- Select Freeze Panes.
And that’s it! You now have frozen both rows and columns in Excel.
Why freeze rows and columns?
So, why would you want to freeze rows and columns in Excel? There are a few reasons. First, it can help you navigate large data sets more easily. By keeping important information in view as you scroll, you can save time and avoid errors. Second, it can make it easier to compare data across rows or columns. Finally, it can make printing your worksheet more professional. By freezing rows and columns, you can ensure that your header information stays in place even if you need to print multiple pages.
Conclusion
Excel is a powerful tool, but it can be overwhelming at times. Freezing rows and columns is just one of many features that can make working with Excel easier and more efficient. By taking advantage of this feature, you can save time and reduce errors in your work. Whether you’re a novice or an expert, learning how to freeze rows and columns in Excel is a valuable skill that can help you get the most out of this powerful tool.
Sources:
How to freeze rows and columns at the same time in excel 2019. YouTube.
Freeze top row and multiple columns in Excel. Super User.