Benefits Of The Freeze Panes Command In Excel 2007

Many of the worksheets that are created Excel contain headings in the top row 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.

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 gives us three options: firstly, we can choose “Freeze Top Row”. A bold horizontal line is then visible underneath the first row which extends into the row headings. As we scroll down the worksheet, the headings at the top of the sheet will now remain in view. Similarly, we can use the “Freeze First Column” command. This time, the bold line will extend to the right of the first column and into the column heading area.

Then, as we scroll to the right of the worksheet, the first column remains frozen so that we can see the headings it contains and compare them with data in the adjacent cells. To return to normal scrolling, we simply use the “Unfreeze Panes” command in the “Freeze Panes” drop-down menu. Excel also allows us to freeze an arbitrary number of rows and columns. To do this, click in the cell below the last row you want frozen and to the right of the last column you want frozen. So, for example, to freeze the first row and the first column you would click in cell “B2″. Having selected 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 and one indicating the row that is frozen.

Then, as we scroll down the first row remains frozen and, similarly, when we scroll to the right the first column remains frozen. Once again, to return to normal behaviour, 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 and column headings, you will probably find it pretty much an essential feature.
Author is a developer and trainer with TrainingCompany. Com , a UK IT training company offering Microsoft Excel 2007Classes at their central London training centre.

Trending Articles