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How to freeze columns and rows in Google Sheets

By Jessica Lau · May 29, 2025
A hero image for Google Sheets app tips with the Google Sheets logo on a green background

Whenever I'm working with large datasets in Google Sheets, it's easy for me to lose track of what's what—especially without headers locked in place. Take this simple student grade sheet below, for example. 

Demo of scrolling through a Google Sheets spreadsheet without frozen columns.

Notice that as I scroll across the sheet, the student names and IDs disappear. With this view, it's nearly impossible for me to remember which grade belongs to which student. 

That's where the Freeze function comes in. It lets you pin columns and rows in place so you can see the data you need at all times, even as you scroll through your spreadsheet. Here's how to do it.

Table of contents:

How to freeze columns in Google Sheets 

Here's the easiest way to freeze a column or multiple columns in Google Sheets. 

In the top-left corner of your spreadsheet, next to column A and above row 1, there are two thick, gray bars running horizontally and vertically. 

Two thick, gray bars running horizontally and vertical, sitting at the top-left corner of a Google Sheets spreadsheet.

Click the vertical bar and drag it across to the right side of the last column you want to freeze. For example, let's pin up to the student IDs in column C.

Demo of how to freeze columns in Google Sheets by dragging the vertical, gray bar across to column C.

To unfreeze a column, drag the bar back to its original position. 

If you, like me, get frustrated about having to get your cursor in just the right spot, there's another way. 

  1. Open a Google Sheets spreadsheet.

  2. Select the columns you want to freeze. 

  3. Click View, and then select Freeze

  4. Click Up to column [column letter]

How to freeze columns in Google Sheets using the ribbon menu.

To unfreeze a column, repeat the same steps, but instead of clicking Up to column C, click No columns

How to freeze rows in Google Sheets 

You can freeze rows in Google Sheets the same way you can with columns.

The easiest method: Click and drag the horizontal gray bar (next to column A and above row 1) below the last row you want to freeze.

Alternatively, you can take the route that requires less cursor accuracy:

  1. Open a Google Sheets spreadsheet.

  2. Select the rows you want to freeze. 

  3. Click View, and then select Freeze

  4. Click Up to row [row number]

How to freeze rows in Google Sheets using the ribbon menu.

These are simple examples, but when you're reviewing grades for 40 or so students—or you're working with a large dataset of any sort—freezing columns and rows makes scrolling through the data much more manageable.

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