How to Freeze First 3 Columns in Excel (4 Quick Ways)

Method 1 – Freeze First 3 Columns Using Freeze Panes

The Freeze Panes option of Excel is available in the View tab. We can use the Freeze Panes option to freeze the first 3 columns.

STEPS:

  • Select the column next to the columns we want to freeze. Since we want to freeze the first 3 columns, select the E column.

  • Open the View tab >> from Freeze Panes >> select Freeze Panes.

how to freeze first 3 columns in excel

  • A grey bar will appear denoting that the columns to its left are frozen.

  • When you scroll, the first 3 columns will remain fixed whereas the rest of the sheet will move.

how to freeze first 3 columns in excel

Read More: How to Freeze 2 Columns in Excel


Method 2 – Using Keyboard Shortcut ALT + W + F + F to Freeze First 3 Columns

STEPS:

  • Select the column next to the columns we want to freeze. Since we want to freeze the first 3 columns, select the E column.

  • Press ALT + W + F + F A grey bar will appear denoting that the columns to its left are frozen.

how to freeze first 3 columns in excel

Read More: How to Freeze Columns in Excel


Method 3 – Freeze First 3 Columns Using VBA

STEPS:

  • Open the Developer tab >> select Visual Basic.

how to freeze first 3 columns in excel

A new window will open.

  • Go to Insert and select Module.

how to freeze first 3 columns in excel

A new Module will open.

  • Copy the code below and paste it into the Module.
Sub FreezeFirst3Columns()
Columns("E:E").Select
ActiveWindow.FreezePanes = True
End Sub

how to freeze first 3 columns in excel

We have initiated a Sub Procedure named FreezeFirst3Columns. We have used the Select method to select the columns we want to freeze. We have entered Columns(“E:E”) in the code as we want to freeze up to column D (you may change the columns according to your worksheet requirement).

  • From the Run tab, select Run Sub/UserForm to run the code. Or you can use the F5 key to run the code. You will see that the first 3 columns have been frozen.

Read More: How to Freeze Top Row in Excel


Method 4 – Lock First 3 Columns Using Magic Freeze Button in Excel

We can insert any button of our choice in the toolbar using Magic Button. We will insert the Freeze Panes button and using that button, we will freeze the first 3 columns.

STEPS:

  • Click on the Customize Quick Access Toolbar icon and click on More Commands.

how to freeze first 3 columns in excel

  • Set Choose commands from to Popular commands. Select Freeze Panes >> Add >> Ok.

A new button will appear in Quick Access Toolbar.

how to freeze first 3 columns in excel

  • Select column E and from the Freez button>> select Freeze Panes.

Related Content: How to Unfreeze Columns in Excel


Things to Remember

Always select the column next to the column(s) you want to freeze before using Freeze Panes.

To use the VBA code, edit it according to the column you want to freeze.


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Lutful Hamid
Lutful Hamid

LUTFUL HAMID is an outstanding marine engineer who finds joy in navigating the realms of Excel and diving into VBA programming. To him, programming is like saving time when dealing with data, files, and the internet. His skills extend beyond the basics, covering Rhino3D, Maxsurf C++, MS Office, AutoCAD, and Excel & VBA. Armed with a B.Sc in Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering from BUET, he's shifted gears and now serves as a content developer. In this role,... Read Full Bio

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