In this tutorial, I will discuss how to freeze 2 columns in Excel. While scrolling in Excel worksheets, you might want specific columns to be visible all the time. Especially, when we have data in a large number of columns, freezing the first two of them seems very helpful. So, let’s explore the ways to freeze columns.
How to Freeze 2 Columns in Excel: 5 Methods
We have a dataset containing several students’ Names, IDs, Test Scores, etc. As the dataset contains scores of several tests, scrolling right to the worksheet disappears columns A and B. Now, I will freeze columns A and B so that columns having Student Name and ID are visible all the time, even when I scroll the corresponding sheet to the right.
1. Freeze 2 Columns Using Freeze Panes Option in Excel
First, I will freeze the first two columns using the Freeze Panes option.
Steps:
- Select the column that is next to the first 2 columns, Here, select column C.
- Then from Excel Ribbon, go to View > Freeze Panes > Freeze Panes.
- As a result, a gray line appears after column B, and two columns before that line are frozen.
📌 Dataset Starts from 1st Row:
Here, my dataset starts from row 2. In case your dataset starts from row 1 then follow the below steps.
- Simply click Cell C1 and apply Freeze Panes by going View > Freeze Panes > Freeze Panes.
- Consequently, columns A and B are frozen.
⏩ Note:
You can freeze the first two columns by using the keyboard shortcuts: Alt + W + F + F (pressing one by one).
Read More: How to Freeze First 3 Columns in Excel
2. Apply Excel Split Option to Freeze 2 Columns
The Split option is a variation of Freeze Panes. When we apply Split after the first 2 columns, it divides the Excel worksheet areas into two separate areas. In both of these areas, you can scroll the dataset right or left.
Steps:
- First, select column C.
- Then go View > Split.
- As a consequence, the corresponding worksheet containing the dataset is split after the first 2 columns. You will see separate scroll areas too.
Read More: How to Freeze Columns in Excel
3. Lock 2 Columns Using Magic Freeze Button in Excel
Now, I will add the Magic Freeze button from the Quick Access Toolbar and thus freeze 2 columns in Excel.
Steps:
- First, click on the Customize Quick Access Toolbar icon and then select the More Commands option.
- Consequently, the Excel Options window will appear. Now, choose the Freeze Panes command under Popular Commands, click on the Add button, and press OK.
- As a result, the Magic Freeze button is added to the Quick Access Toolbar.
- Now, similar to Method 1, select column C and click Freeze Panes from the Magic Freeze button.
- As expected, the gray line appears and the first two columns are frozen.
Read More: How to Unfreeze Columns in Excel
4. Apply VBA to Freeze 2 Columns in Excel
Amazingly, you can use VBA to freeze 2 columns in Excel. This method is very quick and effective. Here are the procedures.
Steps:
- First, go to the worksheet where you want to freeze 2 columns. Right-click on the sheet name and click on the View Code option to bring up the VBA window.
- Then, type the below code in the Module. Here I have written Columns (C:C) in the code, as I want to freeze columns A and B. Change the code as you require.
Sub Freeze2Columns()
Columns("C:C").Select
ActiveWindow.FreezePanes = True
End Sub
- Now, run the code by pressing the F5 key or clicking on the Run icon (see the screenshot).
- Finally, the first two columns of my worksheet are frozen.
Read More: How to Freeze Top Row in Excel
5. Freeze Rows and 2 Columns Simultaneously
Till now, I have discussed only freezing the first two columns. However, you might need to freeze rows and columns simultaneously. Let’s have a look at the process of doing that.
Steps:
- Click Cell C5 (Cell right to the column and below to the row you want to freeze).
- Then go to View > Freeze Panes > Freeze Panes.
- As a result, two gray lines appear which indicates the first 2 columns and the top 4 rows are frozen.
Read More: How to Freeze Top Two Rows in Excel
Unfreeze Columns in Excel
To unfreeze the 2 columns where we applied Freeze Panes, follow the below steps.
Steps:
- Go to the worksheet where columns are frozen.
- Then go to View > Freeze Panes > Unfreeze Panes.
⏩ Note:
- You can apply the keyboard shortcuts below to unfreeze columns.
Alt + W + F + F
Related Content: How to Freeze Top 3 Rows in Excel
Things to Remember
- In a single Excel sheet, we cannot apply multiple Freeze Panes.
- You cannot use both Freeze Panes and Split options at the same time in an Excel sheet.
- If you want to lock a row or column located in the middle of the worksheet, that is not possible.
Download Practice Workbook
Conclusion
In the above article, I have tried to discuss several methods to freeze 2 columns in Excel elaborately. Hopefully, these methods and explanations will be enough to solve your problems. Please let me know if you have any queries.
