Why can’t I Freeze Panes in Excel – How to Fix Freeze Panes, not Working Issue
In an Excel dataset, you may have hundreds of rows and tens of columns. With Excel freeze panes, you can normally find the values instantly just by looking at the Freeze Panes.
Why can’t I freeze panes in Excel?
It usually happens when you freeze panes option is having some trouble and not working properly. The problem mainly occurs when the datasets are exported from external sources.
Let’s find out the solutions to this problem:
What is Freeze Panes in Excel?
Freeze Panes in Excel is a great option that helps in locking row or column headings. When you need to scroll down the other areas of the sheet to its top row or first column, it gets on the screen. That way, the heading of each row or column appears regardless of how you scroll the sheet.
It is an important feature that Excel has for the users. You can use it mainly when you are working with the tables containing data that crosses the columns and rows on the screen.
Why Can’t I Freeze Panes Excel?
Do you know why freeze panes not working in Excel?
You will notice the option freeze panes grayed out when you are unable to use it.
Below you can find the main reasons behind the Excel freeze panes not working error:
- The first reason is that your Excel sheet might be in the Page Layout view. In-Page Layout mode, the freeze panes option does not work.
- The second reason could be Windows protection mode is activated that’s why you are facing Excel freeze panes not working problem. To enable the freeze panes, you need to unprotect the worksheets so that you can easily use the freeze panes feature.
For this, you need to open the Preview tab.
Click on the Unprotect Sheet option from the Protect menu.
- The last reason could be that your Excel sheet is protected by earlier versions of Excel. When you open an Excel workbook formed in an earlier version of Excel, you will find Excel freeze panes not working issue.
Now, let’s have a look at some innovative solutions to why can’t I freeze pane Excel issue:
How to Fix Excel Freeze Panes Not Working Issue?
Fix #1: Change the Page Layout View
Check if the Excel workbook is in the page layout view so that you can change it instantly to Page Break Preview or Normal View.
For this:
- Click on the View tab given in the Excel menu.
- Click on any option except the page payout view from the workbook Views group. These options include custom views, page break previews, or normal views.
Restart the System
This is a universal solution to any error that often users apply. The first thing you should do is restart your PC as it will let the device reload its resources and remove temporary bugs and errors from the system.
Follow the steps given below:
- Press the Windows key from the keyboard.
- The Start Menu will open up.
- Now, open the Power Options tab.
- Select Restart and wait until the system reboots.
Go back and check if the problem persists or is gone. If it does not help, try another solution given here.
Remove Protection
If the workbook or worksheet has been protected, it is possible that you will not be able to use the freeze panes feature. Check if the freeze panes feature is grayed out, your sheet or workbook might be protected and you need to disable it.
Here are the steps you can follow to remove the protection:
- Open the Review tab in the Excel ribbon.
- Click on the Protection.
- Select the Unprotect Sheet option and then Unprotect Workbook.
Go back and check if the problem persists or is gone.
Use Table Instead of Freeze Top Row
By formatting the data like a table instead of freezing the top row, you can solve this problem. For this,
- Open the Home tab.
- Click on the Format as Table option from the Style group menu.
- Scroll down in the sheet and your column numbers will show the position of the header title.
That’s it!
To Sum Up:
In this post, you have learned multiple answers to Why can’t I freeze pane Excel? You need to first check what causes this problem in your case and then you can apply any solution given above.
