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Freeze Shortcut in Excel (Freeze Panes)

ExcelExcelKeep headings visibleChecked 2 Nov 2026

Freeze top row

AltWF

Then R, pressed one after another

Freeze first column

AltWF

Then C

Freeze at the cursor

AltWF

Then F; same keys unfreeze

The freeze shortcut in Excel lives on the View tab as a short key sequence. To keep the heading row visible while you scroll down, press Alt, W, F, R. For the first column, end with C instead. To freeze both rows and columns, click the cell just below and to the right of them and press Alt, W, F, F.

Frozen rows and columns stay on screen however far you scroll, so you always know which column is Name and which is Amount. Pressing the same freeze panes keys again unfreezes them.

Quick facts

  • Top row

    Alt, then W, then F, then R

  • First column

    Alt, then W, then F, then C

  • Rows and columns at cursor

    Alt, then W, then F, then F

  • Unfreeze

    Alt, then W, then F, then F

  • Mac

    View, then Freeze Top Row

  • Lock a formula instead

    F4

Freeze shortcut in Excel: every option

Freeze panes keys
What stays visibleClick firstKeys
Top row onlyAnywhereAlt, then W, then F, then R
First column onlyAnywhereAlt, then W, then F, then C
Rows above and columns left of a cellThe cell below and right of what to freezeAlt, then W, then F, then F
Unfreeze everythingAnywhereAlt, then W, then F, then F

How to freeze rows in Excel with the shortcut

  1. To freeze the first two rows, click cell A3, the first cell below them.
  2. Press Alt, then W, then F, then F.
  3. A thin line appears under row 2. Scroll down: rows 1 and 2 stay put.
  4. To also keep column A visible, click B3 instead before pressing the keys.

Freeze panes freezes everything above and to the left of the selected cell, so the cell you click decides what stays.

Shortcut to freeze formula in Excel

People sometimes say freeze when they mean lock a cell reference in a formula so it does not change when copied. That is a different job: while typing the formula, press F4 to add dollar signs, turning B2 into $B$2. The lock formula shortcut explains it. Freeze panes only changes what you see, not your formulas.

Printing a long list? Use Page Layout, then Print Titles, so the heading row repeats on every printed page. Freeze panes affects only the screen.

Freeze panes versus split

Split, with Alt, W, S, divides the window into separately scrolling parts, useful for comparing the top and bottom of a long sheet. Freeze is better for keeping headings in view. Turning one on usually turns the other off, so if freeze behaves oddly, check that split is off.

When freeze does not work

Problems and fixes
ProblemFix
Wrong rows frozenUnfreeze, click the correct cell, and freeze again
Freeze Panes greyed outYou are editing a cell, or the sheet is in Page Layout view
Frozen part too largeYou scrolled before freezing; scroll to the top first
Headings do not print on each pageUse Print Titles, not freeze
An HR assistant works on an attendance sheet with 400 rows and 35 date columns. She clicks C2 and presses Alt, W, F, F; the date row and the employee name columns stay in view while she fills in the rest.

Frequently asked questions

What is the freeze shortcut in Excel?
Alt, W, F, then R for the top row or F at the cursor.
How do I freeze the top row in Excel?
Alt, W, F, R.
How do I freeze rows and columns together?

Click the cell below and right of them, then Alt, W, F, F.

How do I unfreeze panes?

Press Alt, W, F, F again.

What is the shortcut to freeze a formula?

Lock the reference with F4 while typing it.

How do I freeze panes in Excel for Mac?

Use View, then Freeze Top Row or Freeze Panes.