Freeze Panes Not Working in Excel [Solved with AI Power]

Are you dealing with freeze panes not working in Excel? If so, keep reading this article to learn more about the causes and the top 4 fixes to resolve this error. It has also demonstrated the best tool for document repair if the Excel files have been corrupted.

Freeze panes are the most advantageous features in Excel, letting you keep specific rows or columns visible while scrolling through your spreadsheet. They are the best option for helping in locking row or column headings. Scrolling down the other portions of the sheet to its first column or top row, it appears on the screen. This is how the heading of every row or column pops up, irrespective of how you scroll the sheet. It's a critical feature that Excel provides for users, and it can be used to work with tables that possess data that crosses columns and rows.

Sometimes, "freeze panes not working in Excel" occurs out of the blue, which is annoying as it makes working with your data challenging. This issue mainly happens when the freeze panes option is having problems and not working correctly. However, the issues primarily occur when the datasets are exported from external sources.

Fix 1. Solve Freeze Panes Not Working in Excel With Document Repair Tool

Suppose the open and repair tool needs a strategy to fix challenging file-related problems, and your Excel file is severely damaged. In that case, you may choose a credible third-party Excel repair tool, the EaseUS Fixo Document Repair tool.

It's a robust Excel repair tool for resolving XLS and XLSZ files regardless of the cause. It can repair different types of content from the Excel workbook while retaining its authentic format intact.

It's a powerful tool that helps fix damaged Excel files and points to different document issues, such as blank Word documents and unreadable content in PowerPoint or Excel that keeps locking up. This software is a trusted companion in cases where the Excel files have become corrupted, preventing the visibility of regular content.

EaseUS Fixo can assist you in repairing Excel files and restoring every type of data with full-fledged integrity. Download the professional document repair tool now! Did you find the tool helpful? If so, share it with your friends on social media!

Fix 2. Change the Page Layout View to Fix Excel Panes Freeze and Not Working

The Excel not responding error may ensue if your Excel is launched in Page Layout View and does not support freeze panes. If you opt for page layout, the freeze panes might get turned off. Go through the steps below to change the page layout view:

Step 1. Hit the "View" tab in the Excel menu.

Step 2. From the workbook views group, click any option without the page layout view. Possible options include page break previews, custom views, or normal views.

Step 3. Turn on "Freeze Panes,"

Step 4. Detect the "Freeze Panes" group in the "View" tab.

Step 5. Hit "Freeze Panes," and opt for "Freeze Panes" from the options.

This strategy is advantageous if the Freeze Panes feature stops working because the worksheet is in Page Layout Preview mode.

Fix 3. Check And Remover Options to Solve Excel Panes Freezing

Follow the steps below to check and remove protection from the sheet to make freeze panes work:

Step 1. Move to the "Review" tab.

Step 2. Detect the "Unprotect sheet" option within the "Protect" section.

Step 3. Opt for an "Unprotect Sheet" to eliminate the protection.

Step 4. Return to the worksheet and apply the Freeze Panes feature by following the steps in fix 1. This feature must work perfectly after removing protection.

Eliminating protection implies creating a path for Freeze Panes to accomplish its job. It's an effortless solution ensuring hassle-free communication between two features. Remember to reapply for protection if required after resolving the Freeze Panes issue.

If you find this post helpful, you can share it with friends and colleagues who are facing this Excel error as well:

Fix 4. Check and Unprotect Worksheet to Fix Freezing Panes in Excel

The Freeze Panes feature might stop working if the worksheet is safeguarded. You may turn off the worksheet protection option with the steps below:

Step 1. Move to the "Review" tab in the Excel file.

Step 2. Hit "Unprotect sheet."

Verify if the issue is fixed after unprotecting the worksheet.  

Why Can't I Freeze Panes in Excel

Freeze Panes are the most essential feature of Excel, allowing users to block particular columns or rows while scrolling through larger datasets. Nevertheless, there are instances when Freeze Panes might cease to function. Below are the most common reasons that cause "Freeze Panes not working:"

• 🔴Windows protected mode - Keeping the Windows Protected Mode active may obstruct specific Excel functions, such as Freeze Panes. Safety settings were created to separate potentially hazardous content.
• 🟠Page layout view - Freeze Panes may stop working if your Excel worksheet is in Page Layout view, which prioritizes printing layout over powerful features, such as Freeze Panes.
• 🟡Compatibility with previous Excel versions - Since the latest versions of Excel might not fully comply with the configurations from past versions, the functioning of Freeze Panes could be compromised if the worksheet was encrypted or made with an earlier version of the app. Trying to block rows or columns may result in unanticipated outcomes.

FAQs on Excel Freeze Panes Not Working

Below are the leading FAQs to consider to fix the issue asap:

1. Why is Excel not letting me freeze panes?

If the Freeze Panes button is greyed out or disabled in your Worksheet because a cell is in editing mode, Excel might not let you freeze panes.

2. How do I get my freeze panes to work?

To get your freeze panes to work, launch your Excel Workbook and navigate to the worksheet where you would like to freeze the top row. These are the steps to follow:

• Hit the "view" tab on the Ribbon at the top of Excel.
• Search for the "Window" group within the "View" tab.
• Hit "Freeze Panes."

3. How do you reset freeze panes in Excel?

Although you scroll to the side or downward on your worksheet, a portion is stuck. You likely choose to freeze the windows at some point, which is why. Select View > Window > Unfreeze Panes to correct this.

Final Words

The "freeze panes not working in Excel" might result from incompatible Excel versions, protected worksheets, and inappropriate cell positions. To fix the error, try the aforementioned methods. In case the Excel files get corrupted, the EaseUS Fixo Document Repair is the best software to resolve the corruption issues.