How To Use Freeze Panes In Excel 2007

The incredible increased capacity of Microsoft Excel 2007's workbooks is a massive benefit for users as it enables them to create exhaustive worksheets without fear of inadequate memory.

However there are a number of concerns that go hand in hand with such immense capability and chief among them is the loss of crucial information in vision. Once you have made use of the vast amount of cells and columns Excel 2007 has to offer the column and row headings that you created at the outset will be so long past that they will have disappeared from the screen. Likewise you will have scrolled down from the initial data that you entered meaning that you have to constantly scroll up and down to remind yourself of previous information.

Or do you?

In Microsoft Excel 2007 there is a handy way to freeze or lock the rows and columns in a spreadsheet thus eliminating the infuriating need to keep scrolling back and forth. Within the view tab in the accessible and stylish new ribbon you will find a freeze panes option under which there are further freeze top row and freeze first column options. Simply clicking on either of these creates a black line immediately below the top row and to the right of the first column respectively. In the freeze top row option if you scroll down the data will only scroll underneath the top row, thus keeping it in view at all times. The equivalent is true for the first column when you scroll to the right.

But what if you want only to freeze specific columns and rows? Well this is possible also. All you need to do is click on the cell immediately beneath the row and to the right of the column you want to freeze, then click the freeze panes option. This time two black lines will appear 'cordoning off' the rows and columns to be frozen from the rest. If you scroll down and to the right far enough the selected rows and columns will stay onscreen whilst the others disappear from view. To unfreeze these rows and columns simply click on freeze panes and then the unfreeze option.

Freezing panes is only one of the features that Excel 2007 users can benefit from to make working with their projects easier. For example, it is also possible to compare two workbooks side by side so as to easily contrast separate sets of figures. The command can be found in the window menu and (as long as both workbooks are open) means that they will be viewable one on top of the other, although the orientation can be altered to side by side.

Microsoft fully understand that with increased capacity comes accessibility issues and have attempted in the latest version of their Office suite to combat any such user difficulties as may arise. However, for a thorough grounding in all the little tricks and tips that Excel has to offer it is advisable to enrol on a training course.

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Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information on advanced excel seminar training, please visit http://www.microsofttraining.net

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