How can you freeze panes in Excel?

Freezing panes in Excel allows you to keep certain rows or columns visible while scrolling through the rest of the data in your worksheet. This feature is especially useful for large datasets where headers or key data points need to remain visible for context.

To effectively freeze panes, the correct method involves selecting the row or column you wish to freeze and then navigating to the View tab in the ribbon, where you will find the option for Freeze Panes. This option permits users to freeze either specific rows, specific columns, or a combination of both based on the selected cell's position.

The other choices involve incorrect actions or paths. While data-related features are powerful in Excel, the freezing function is not located under the Data menu. Additionally, Excel does not have a dedicated "Freeze" button directly on the toolbar, which means using a button approach for freezing panes is misleading. The Format menu is also not the correct place to access the freezing feature, as it pertains more to styling and layout options rather than pane management.