I want a setting such that I can see the titles for the columns [which I’ve entered as the first line in the spreadsheet], so that they are at the head of the column regardless of where I am in the spreadsheet. In google docs you can do this by freezing that line, so that the titles stay put, even in a long spreadsheet. Is there something similar in Excel? How do I do it?
Thanks in advance.
It’s called Freeze Panes. Where the command is located depends on what version of Excel you are using. In Excel 2007/2010 it’s on the View tab.
I’ve clicked on that, but how do you tell it where to freeze? It seems to pick its own place.
It’s based on the currently-selected cell. The rows above and the columns to the left of the selected cell will be frozen.
In 2007/2010, there are autochoices for just the top row or just the left column. To use the general command, or to use the command in previous versions, select the cell below where you want the freezing to take place. So, if you want to freeze the top two rows, select the first cell in the 3rd row, then choose the command. To freeze both the top row and the left column, select the 2nd cell in the 2nd row. Etc.
In 2007, go to View->Freeze Panes->Freeze Top Row. In earlier versions, you’d do something like “split panes”, drag the split lines to between rows 1 and 2 and to the left of column A, then hit the “freeze panes” option.
This worked for me.
I’ve got a Mac with Microsoft Office 2008 (?) – “freeze pane” is in “Window.”
But freeze pane did the job – thanks, everyone!
(?) indeed! I don’t understand why MS would put out so many different versions of one of their more complicated/menu-dependent products in so quick a period of time. It really hurts people’s ability to get help from others. Glad you could find the right option.
FWIW, Freeze Pane is in Window on Excel 2003 on my work PC as well.
SWEET!!!
Feature applied to my daily worklist!
Yeah, I went through and did it to about six different spreadsheets. (I loves me a good spreadsheet.)
i prefer a split to freeze.
Because they always put out a new version one year later for Mac, and the ribbon interface for Mac wasn’t ready yet. (They didn’t even finish it for 2007). They are including it in 2012.
So people (especially in business settings) pay money for MS Certified consultants or training courses. And they paid money to Microsoft to get certified. So more profits for Microsoft.