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Google Sheets · Verified tutorial

Freeze the first column in Google Sheets

Freeze exactly the first column using View > Freeze. Do not change any cell values.

Verified by JosephineJuly 25, 2026About 60 seconds

Quick answer

Freeze exactly the first column using View > Freeze. Do not change any cell values.

Step-by-step

1

Select the targetFreeze exactly the first column.

2

Apply the changeView > Freeze.

Shortcut or faster method

Select the full target range first. This avoids repeating the same change cell by cell.

Expected result

Exactly one column is frozen.

Common mistake

Changing the source values while applying the formatting or structure change.

Troubleshooting

Undo the last change, reselect the intended range, and try again. Exactly one column is frozen.

Example spreadsheet data

This is the clean fixture used for the verified run.

Employee	Department	Week	Hours
Anna	Design	Week 1	32
Ben	Sales	Week 1	38
Cara	Finance	Week 2	35
Dev	Operations	Week 2	40
Eva	Support	Week 3	36

Video transcript

Open the prepared Team schedule spreadsheet.
Select the target. Freeze exactly the first column.
Apply the change. View > Freeze.
Exactly one column is frozen.