Answer

To freeze the top row in Excel, use the Freeze Panes feature so the first row stays visible while scrolling vertically.

Steps on Windows

1. Open the worksheet.

2. Select the View tab on the Ribbon.

3. Locate the Window group.

4. Click Freeze Panes.

5. Select Freeze Top Row.

The first row remains visible when scrolling down the worksheet.

Steps on MacBook

1. Open the worksheet.

2. Select the View tab on the Ribbon.

3. Click Freeze Panes.

4. Select Freeze Top Row.

The result matches the Windows version, with no functional difference between platforms.

How to confirm the top row is frozen

Excel displays a thin horizontal line below the frozen row. This line indicates the boundary between frozen and scrollable areas.

How to unfreeze the top row

To unfreeze the top row in Excel, remove the freeze setting from the worksheet.

Steps on Windows

1. Select the View tab.

2. Click Freeze Panes.

3. Select Unfreeze Panes.

Steps on MacBook

1. Select the View tab.

2. Click Freeze Panes.

3. Select Unfreeze Panes.

The worksheet returns to normal scrolling behavior.

What happens when the top row is frozen

The frozen row stays visible during vertical scrolling. Column headers, labels, or titles placed in the first row remain readable across large datasets.

Common limitations

1. Freezing applies per worksheet, not per workbook.

2. Printing does not respect freeze settings. Print titles control printed headers.

3. Freezing works only from the top or left edge of the worksheet.

When freezing, the top row is necessary

Freezing the top row improves data readability in tables with many rows. This method prevents loss of context when analyzing or editing large datasets.

Related feature clarification

Freezing differs from splitting. Freeze Panes locks rows or columns in place. Split divides the worksheet into scrollable sections without locking content.

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