Easy Tech TutsHow to Pin an Excel File in Microsoft Excel Easily 2026
By Impran M N
When you're juggling several trackers and templates, digging through your recent files list every time gets old fast. Excel lets you pin the workbooks you use most so they stay anchored at the top, and this guide shows the pushpin, right-click, and Favorites methods for locking them in place.
01Open the File backstage screen
Click the File tab in the top-left corner of Excel to reach the backstage view, which lists your recently opened workbooks.
02Find the pushpin icon
Hover over the name of the workbook you want to lock in place until a faded pushpin icon appears on the right edge of its row.
03Click to pin the file
Click the pushpin once to solidify it, which anchors the file permanently at the top of your list instead of letting it roll off with new files.
04Check the dedicated Pinned tab
Look for a separate Pinned category tab above your file history to confirm the workbook stays accessible even as you open other files.
05Use right-click as an alternative
Right-click any file name in the list and choose Pin to list, or select Add to Favorites to sync it across your Microsoft 365 profile.
Frequently asked questions
Does pinning a file move or copy it?
No, pinning only creates a shortcut in your recent files view; the original file stays exactly where it's saved.
How do I unpin a file later?
Click the solid pushpin icon again on the pinned file's row to release it back into the regular recent files list.
What's the difference between pinning and adding to Favorites?
Pinning keeps a file at the top of your local recent list, while Favorites can sync across devices when you're signed into a Microsoft 365 profile.
Can I pin both local and OneDrive files?
Yes, the pinning feature works for offline local files as well as cloud-hosted OneDrive workbooks.
Watch the full walkthrough
The same steps, demonstrated on screen from start to finish.
