“Locking” a row in Google Sheets can mean two things. To keep a row visible while you scroll, freeze it: click View > Freeze > 1 row (or Up to row for more). To stop people from editing a row, protect it: select the row, click Data > Protect sheets and ranges, click Add a sheet or range, then Set permissions and choose who can edit.
Below are step-by-step instructions for both, including the mobile app, plus how to unlock rows later.
How to freeze a row (keep it visible)
- Open your spreadsheet.
- Click View > Freeze.
- Choose 1 row to freeze the top row, 2 rows, or click a cell and choose Up to row X to freeze everything above it.
A thick gray line appears under the frozen rows. You can also drag that line (at the top-left corner of the grid) down to freeze more rows.
Freeze rows in the Google Sheets app
Tap the row number to select it, tap it again (or tap the three-dot menu), and choose Freeze.
How to protect a row (prevent editing)
- Click the row number to select the row.
- Click Data > Protect sheets and ranges. (You can also right-click and choose View more cell actions > Protect range.)
- In the side panel, click Add a sheet or range, check that the range is correct, and add a description if you like.
- Click Set permissions.
- Choose Restrict who can edit this range and select Only you or Custom to pick people. Or choose Show a warning when editing this range for a softer lock.
- Click Done.
Protection works for people you share the sheet with. As the owner, you can always edit. People with view-only access can’t edit anything anyway.
How to unlock a row
- Unfreeze: Click View > Freeze > No rows.
- Remove protection: Open Data > Protect sheets and ranges, click the protected range, and click the trash icon.
Frequently asked questions
Can I freeze a row in the middle of the sheet?
No. Freezing always starts from the top. To keep a middle row in view, move it to the top or split the data into separate sheets.
Can I freeze rows and columns together?
Yes. Use View > Freeze for rows and columns separately, and both stay visible as you scroll.
Why can’t I protect a range?
You need edit access to set protection. Protection is also only available in files owned by accounts that allow it, which may be limited by your organization.
Kermit Matthews runs Live2Tech from just outside Philadelphia. He is an IT specialist with over 20 years of experience, from a university help desk to small-business IT, IT management and his own consulting practice, and has written tech guides full time since 2020. Steps are checked against the current software on a real device or the maker’s official documentation. More about Kermit.