Freezing rows or columns keeps labels visible while scrolling. It changes the viewing layout, not who can edit the frozen cells.
Set the boundary on a computer
Use View > Freeze and choose the intended number of rows or columns. Scroll vertically and horizontally to verify that the necessary labels stay visible.
Keep the frozen region small enough to leave useful working space. A large title block can consume most of a small screen when frozen together with the actual column headers.
Use the platform’s mobile controls
On Android, Google’s guide uses a touch-and-hold on a row or column, followed by Freeze or Unfreeze. On iPhone or iPad, tap the row number or column letter and use the menu’s arrow to reach the relevant command.
If an operation reports a conflict involving merged cells, inspect the merge boundary before changing the layout. Do not unmerge a large range without preserving its content and checking why it was merged.
Distinguish freezing from other features
Frozen cells are not protected from editing and are not hidden from other users. Use appropriate protection and sharing controls for those separate requirements.
Printing repeated headers is another setting: freezing the row is preparation, but the print job must also select the relevant repeat-frozen-rows option. Test the layout on the screen or output where it will be consumed. If the boundary is wrong, use No rows, No columns, or Unfreeze as appropriate and set it again. Keep data-table headers distinct from decorative titles so the frozen view remains useful during ordinary record entry and review.
References
- Freeze, group, hide, or merge rows & columns
- Freeze, group, hide, or merge rows & columns
- Freeze, group, hide, or merge rows & columns
Reviewed against the linked official product guidance on November 3, 2026. Features, limits, screen labels, and access can vary by account, platform, region, and organization policy.