Google Sheets

Column Anchors: A Step-by-Step Guide to Keeping a Column Fixed in Google Sheets

There are various techniques to anchor columns in Google Sheets, improving both the functionality and readability of your data as you scroll.

There are various techniques to anchor columns in Google Sheets, improving both the functionality and readability of your data as you scroll. Let's explore different techniques to anchor columns in Google Sheets in this article, offering step-by-step instructions to keep important data in view as you scroll.

Freezing Columns

  • Select the Column: Click on the column header of the column you want to keep visible while scrolling.
  • Freeze the Column: Go to the ‘View’ menu, select ‘Freeze’, and choose either ‘1 column’ or up to the column you have selected. This will keep the column fixed on the left side of your sheet as you scroll horizontally.


Splitting the View

  • Choose the Split Point: Place your cursor on the column immediately to the right of where you want the split to occur.
  • Split the Window: Go to the ‘View’ menu, and choose ‘Split’. This divides your sheet into separate scrollable areas, allowing you to keep the left side static while scrolling through the rest of your sheet.

These methods allow you to keep important data in view while navigating large spreadsheets, ensuring you always have access to key columns no matter where you are in your document.