How to Lock Columns in Excel (for scrolling, or from editing)

“Lock a column” means one of two things. Both are here.

A. Keep the column visible while scrolling right

First column only

View › Freeze Panes › Freeze First Column.

First two columns (or any number)

1. Press Ctrl + Home.
2. Click the cell in row 1 just right of the columns to lock — for A and B, click C1.
3. View › Freeze Panes › Freeze Panes.

Columns and the top row together

Click C2 (right of the columns, below the row), then Freeze Panes.

Unfreeze: View › Freeze Panes › Unfreeze Panes.

B. Stop people editing the column

1. Select all (corner triangle) › Ctrl + 1 › Protection › untick Locked › OK.
2. Click the column letter to lock › Ctrl + 1 › Protection › tick Locked › OK.
3. Review › Protect Sheet › OK.

That column refuses typing; the rest stays editable. More: lock cells.

C. Lock a column in a formula ($)

To keep column A fixed when dragging a formula right: =$A2*B$1. Press F4 repeatedly on a reference to cycle the $ signs.

Check it worked

A: press Ctrl + Right — the locked columns stay on the left edge. B: type in the column — Excel refuses.