How to Freeze Columns in Google Sheets – Quick Tutorial

This process will guide you through the steps needed to freeze a column or multiple columns in Google Sheets.
Freezing columns can help you keep important data visible while scrolling through your spreadsheet.

Freezing columns allows you to keep important data visible as you scroll horizontally. You can do this either through the View menu or by using the drag method.

Method 1: Using the View Menu

1. Open Your Google Sheet
   Access your spreadsheet in Google Sheets.

2. Select the Column(s)
   Click on the column letter(s) you want to freeze, or just position your cursor in a relevant cell.

3. Go to View > Freeze
   In the top menu bar, click View, then hover over Freeze.

4. Choose a Freeze Option:

   • 1 column: Freezes just the first column (A).

   • 2 columns: Freezes columns A and B.

   • Up to current column: Freezes all columns up to the one currently selected.

Method 2: Using the Drag Handle

1. Locate the Vertical Grey Line
   This is to the right of the column letters (between the A and B columns by default).

2. Click and Drag
   Drag the line to the right to freeze up to your desired column.

How to Unfreeze Columns

1. Go to View > Freeze
   Return to the Freeze menu.

2. Select No columns
   This will remove all frozen columns.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to freeze columns in Google Sheets

Step 1

To freeze a column or multiple columns in Google Sheets, begin by selecting the columns you wish to freeze.

Step 2

Once the columns are selected, right-click on the highlighted area. From the context menu that appears, select "More Column Options."

Step 3

In the "More Column Options" menu, choose "Freeze up to Column B" to freeze the selected columns.

Step 4

The columns you have selected will now be frozen in place, ensuring they remain visible while you navigate through the rest of your data.

Pro tips for freezing columns in Google Sheets

1. Freeze specific columns: Select the column you want to freeze, then go to View > Freeze and choose either "Up to current column" or "1 column" depending on your needs.

2. Freeze multiple columns: Select the column on the rightmost side of the columns you wish to freeze, then choose View > Freeze > Up to current column.

3. Quick keyboard shortcut: Press Alt + Shift + 1 to freeze the first column in your sheet, making it easy to keep track of data while scrolling.

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them for freezing columns in Google Sheets

1. Accidentally freezing too many columns: If you freeze more columns than needed, you may limit your view. Fix: Select the correct column and choose View > Freeze > No columns to unfreeze and start again.

2. Frozen columns not updating: If frozen columns don’t update correctly, ensure you’ve selected the correct range before freezing. Fix: Re-select the range and use View > Freeze to reset.

3. Freeze settings not applying on some sheets: Sometimes, changes made in one sheet may not carry over. Fix: Manually set freeze settings for each sheet by selecting View > Freeze for that specific sheet.

Common FAQs for freezing columns in Google Sheets

1. How do I freeze rows and columns at the same time?
   You can freeze both rows and columns by selecting View > Freeze and then choosing the number of rows and columns to freeze.

2. Can I freeze columns beyond the first one?
   Yes, select any column and freeze up to that column using View > Freeze > Up to current column.

3. How do I unfreeze columns in Sheets?
   To unfreeze columns, go to View > Freeze > No columns to remove any freezing effect on the columns.

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