Have you ever scrolled through a long spreadsheet in Google Sheets and noticed that certain rows stay fixed at the top? That’s called freezing rows—a handy feature when you want to keep headers or labels visible. But what if you no longer need them frozen and want to stop freezing rows in Google Sheets?
Don’t worry—it’s simple. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about unfreezing rows: why rows get frozen, multiple methods to remove the freeze, and troubleshooting tips if things don’t work as expected.
Key Takeaways
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Freezing rows in Google Sheets locks them at the top while you scroll.
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To stop freezing rows, go to View > Freeze > No rows.
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You can also drag the freeze line back up to remove frozen rows.
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Shortcut methods and mobile app instructions are available too.
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Unfreezing doesn’t delete data—it just restores normal scrolling.
Table of Contents
What Does Freezing Rows Mean in Google Sheets?
In Google Sheets, freezing rows means keeping certain rows locked at the top while you scroll through the rest of your data.
For example:
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Freeze the first row → Keeps column headers visible.
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Freeze the first two rows → Keeps section labels in place.
Frozen rows have a thicker gray line under them, showing where the freeze starts.
Why Would You Stop Freezing Rows?
Freezing rows is useful, but sometimes you’ll want to unfreeze them:
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✅ To view data without distraction.
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✅ When headers are no longer needed.
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✅ To make printing/exporting easier.
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✅ To reset formatting after editing.
Think of freezing like taping a note to your monitor. It’s helpful at first, but eventually, you might want to take it down.
How to Stop Freezing Rows Using the Menu
The easiest way:
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Open your Google Sheet.
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In the top menu, click View.
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Hover over Freeze.
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Select No rows.
👉 Instantly, all frozen rows return to normal scrolling.
How to Stop Freezing Rows by Dragging the Freeze Line
Another intuitive method is dragging:
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Look for the thick gray line below your frozen rows.
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Hover over the line until your cursor changes to a hand icon.
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Click and drag the line back up to row 1.
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Release your mouse.
👉 The freeze is removed, and all rows scroll freely.
How to Stop Freezing Rows in Google Sheets Mobile App
If you’re on Android or iOS:
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Open the Google Sheets app.
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Tap the three-dot menu in the top right.
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Choose Freeze rows.
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Select No rows.
This works the same way as the desktop version.
Shortcut Trick to Unfreeze Rows Quickly
While Google Sheets doesn’t have a direct keyboard shortcut, you can speed up unfreezing by using the menu shortcut keys:
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Press Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac) to open menu shortcuts.
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Then type: V (for View) → Z (for Freeze) → N (for No rows).
👉 This is faster than clicking through menus manually.
How to Unfreeze Both Rows and Columns at Once
Sometimes, both rows and columns are frozen. To reset everything:
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Go to View > Freeze.
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Select No rows.
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Then repeat for No columns.
👉 Now your sheet is completely unfrozen.
What Happens After You Unfreeze Rows?
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Rows scroll normally again.
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No data is lost—only the freeze effect is removed.
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Formulas and formatting remain unchanged.
It’s like removing a sticky note—you’re not deleting the text, just removing the marker.
Troubleshooting: Can’t Stop Freezing Rows
If unfreezing isn’t working:
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❌ Wrong sheet selected → Each sheet has separate freeze settings.
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❌ Browser issue → Refresh the page or clear cache.
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❌ Mobile app bug → Close and reopen the app.
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❌ Protected sheet → Check if the sheet is locked for editing.
Tips for Managing Large Spreadsheets Without Freezing
If you don’t want to use freezing but still need better navigation:
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Use filters to isolate key data.
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Add bold headers instead of frozen rows.
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Use split view in your browser (open the sheet in two windows).
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Create a summary sheet for important data.
Best Practices for Freezing and Unfreezing Rows
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Freeze only when necessary—too many frozen rows make scrolling harder.
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Keep header rows short and simple.
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Unfreeze before sharing or printing to avoid confusing others.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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❌ Freezing too many rows → reduces visible space.
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❌ Forgetting different sheets have separate freeze settings.
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❌ Thinking unfreezing deletes data (it doesn’t).
How Freezing Rows Differs from Pinning in Google Sheets
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Freezing rows → Keeps rows fixed at the top when scrolling.
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Pinning (in Google Workspace tools) → Refers to marking items (e.g., pinned comments).
👉 Don’t confuse the two—they serve different purposes.
Comparison: Freezing Rows in Google Sheets vs Excel
| Feature | Google Sheets | Excel 2013 |
|---|---|---|
| Freeze Rows | View > Freeze > Up to row X | View > Freeze Panes > Freeze Top Row |
| Unfreeze Rows | View > Freeze > No rows | View > Freeze Panes > Unfreeze Panes |
| Drag Option | Yes | No |
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to stop freezing rows in Google Sheets is just as important as knowing how to freeze them. With a few clicks, you can restore normal scrolling, making your spreadsheet easier to navigate.
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Use the View menu for a quick reset.
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Drag the freeze line for intuitive control.
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Don’t forget to unfreeze columns too, if needed.
Keep these tricks handy, and you’ll be in full control of your spreadsheet layout.
FAQs
1. How do I know if rows are frozen in Google Sheets?
Frozen rows have a thick gray line below them that stays visible when scrolling.
2. Does unfreezing rows delete my data?
No. Unfreezing only removes the freeze effect—your data stays intact.
3. Can I unfreeze rows on mobile?
Yes. In the app, go to Menu > Freeze rows > No rows.
4. Why can’t I unfreeze rows in Google Sheets?
You may be on the wrong sheet, have a browser issue, or be working on a protected sheet.
5. Can I unfreeze rows and columns at the same time?
Yes, but you’ll need to select No rows and then No columns separately.