Using Freeze Panes In Microsoft Excel
Many of the worksheets that are created in Microsoft Excel contain headings in the top row or left column of the sheet. Normally when we scroll down the sheet any headings at the top will disappear. Similarly if we scroll to the right any headings on the left will disappear. Excel has two commands which can be used to keep these headings in place as we scroll through the worksheet freeze panes & split panes. We will discuss techniques for splitting panes in another article. This article focuses on the use of the Freeze Panes commane.
The Freeze Panes command which is located in the View Tab of the Excel Ribbon allows us to freeze our headings so that as we scroll the sheet headings remain in view.
Excel offers us three options firstly we can choose “Freeze Top Row”. A bold horizontal line is then displayed underneath the first row which extends into the row headings. As we scroll down the worksheet the headings at the top of the sheet remain in view. Similarly we can choose “Freeze First Column”. This time the bold line extends to the right of the first column & into the column heading area. Then as we scroll to the right the first column remains frozen so that we can see the headings it contains & compare them with the data in the adjacent cells. To return to normal scrolling we simply choose “Unfreeze Panes” in the “Freeze Panes” drop-down menu.
It is also possible to freeze an arbitrary number of rows & columns. To do this select the cell below the last row you want frozen & to the right of the last column you want frozen. So for example to freeze the first row & the first column you would select cell “B2″. Having highlighted the cell in the “Freeze Panes” drop-down menu you would then choose “Freeze Panes”.
This time there are two bold lines one indicating the column that is frozen & one indicating the row that is frozen. Then as we scroll down the first row remains frozen & similarly when we scroll to the right the first column remains frozen. Once again to return to normal behavior we simply choose “Unfreeze Panes” in the “Freeze Panes” drop-down menu.
Since this command allows us to freeze any number of rows or columns if you are working on a large worksheet perhaps containing multiple row & column headings you will probably find it pretty much an essential feature.
The writer of this article is developer & trainer with Macresource Computer Training a UK IT training company offering Microsoft Excel Training Courses in Birmingham London Leeds Manchester Bristol Cambridge Bradford Liverpool & throughout the UK.
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