“Locking” a column in Google Sheets can mean two different things: freezing it so it stays visible while you scroll, or protecting it so other people can’t edit it. Both are built in and take under a minute. This guide covers both, so you can keep a name column in view, stop collaborators from changing formulas or prices, or do both at once.
Quick Answer
- Keep a column visible: Click a cell in the column, then choose View > Freeze > Up to column [letter] (or 1 column for column A).
- Stop others from editing it: Right-click the column letter, choose View more column actions > Protect range, click Set permissions, and choose who can edit.
Freeze a Column (Keep It Visible)
- Click any cell in the column you want to freeze up to. For example, click a cell in column B to freeze columns A and B.
- Go to View > Freeze.
- Choose 1 column, 2 columns, or Up to column B (the letter matches your selection).
A thick gray line appears to the right of the frozen columns. You can also drag that gray bar at the top-left corner of the sheet to freeze or unfreeze columns. To unfreeze, choose View > Freeze > No columns.
Freezing only affects the view and doesn’t stop anyone from editing.
Protect a Column (Stop Edits)
- Right-click the column letter at the top and choose View more column actions > Protect range. (Or select the column and go to Data > Protect sheets and ranges.)
- Optionally type a description, like “Prices – do not edit.”
- Check that the Range is correct (for example, Sheet1!C:C) and click Set permissions.
- Choose one:
- Show a warning when editing this range: Anyone can edit, but they see a warning first.
- Restrict who can edit this range: Choose Only you or Custom to pick specific editors.
- Click Done.
Protected cells show a faint pattern when you turn on View > Show > Protected ranges.
Protect everything except certain columns
In the Protected sheets and ranges panel, choose the Sheet tab, check Except certain cells, and add the columns people should still be able to edit.
Important Limits
- Protection only applies to people with edit access. Viewers and commenters can’t edit anyway.
- The sheet owner and anyone with edit access to the protection settings can remove protection. It prevents accidents, not determined editing by co-owners.
- Protected data is still visible and can be copied. To hide data, keep it in a separate file.
Remove Protection or Unfreeze
- Remove protection: Open Data > Protect sheets and ranges, click the protected range, and click the trash icon.
- Unfreeze: View > Freeze > No columns.
On Your Phone
In the Google Sheets app, tap the column letter, tap it again (or the three dots), and choose Freeze. Protecting ranges isn’t available in the mobile apps; use a computer.
Freezing adds a thick gray line to the sheet.
Summary
- Freeze a column with View > Freeze to keep it visible.
- Protect a column with Protect range > Set permissions to stop edits.
- Use Show a warning for gentle protection or Restrict who can edit for real limits.
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.