Microsoft Excel offers a number of different ways of changing the width of columns and the height of rows. The width of columns is expressed in characters. By default, each column has a width of just over eight characters. This means, for example, if you're using the spreadsheets primarily for numerical data, you can enter eight digits in each column using the default width.
If you plan to change the default width, it makes sense to do so before you start entering data into your worksheet. For example, if you know that you'll be typing fairly short entries in each column, you might want to reduce the default width. To change the default width, go to the Cells section of the Home Tab of the Excel Ribbon. Click on the Format button and choose Default Width from the drop-down. In the dialog box which appears, you will see Excel's standard column width of approximately 8 characters. Simply type a new entry and click OK.
As long as you haven't changed a column width using any other technique, you can change the default width at any time and any cells that have been left at the default width will automatically change to reflect the new setting.
The second way of altering column widths is to use Excel's AutoFit feature. This will automatically adjust the width of a column to make sure that the contents of the selected cells are completely visible. To AutoFit individual columns, highlight the cells which you want Excel to take into account or simply highlight the entire column. Next, position the cursor over the right hand edge of the column and double-click.
To AutoFit data in a range of columns, you can either select a range of data across several columns or highlight several entire columns. With your selection in place, choose Format then AutoFit Column Width in the Cells group of the Home Tab on the Excel Ribbon.
When using Excel's AutoFit feature, it's inevitable that you'll end up with columns that have different widths. If you want a range of columns to have exactly the same width then simply select the range and choose Format then Column Widths and enter the required width.
Excel also allows you to interactively adjust the width of columns. To do this, position the cursor on the right hand edge of the column. When the cursor changes to a double arrow, click, hold and drag. As you drag, the width of the column is displayed both in characters and in pixels. This technique can be used either to adjust the width of a single column or a range of columns.
If you plan to change the default width, it makes sense to do so before you start entering data into your worksheet. For example, if you know that you'll be typing fairly short entries in each column, you might want to reduce the default width. To change the default width, go to the Cells section of the Home Tab of the Excel Ribbon. Click on the Format button and choose Default Width from the drop-down. In the dialog box which appears, you will see Excel's standard column width of approximately 8 characters. Simply type a new entry and click OK.
As long as you haven't changed a column width using any other technique, you can change the default width at any time and any cells that have been left at the default width will automatically change to reflect the new setting.
The second way of altering column widths is to use Excel's AutoFit feature. This will automatically adjust the width of a column to make sure that the contents of the selected cells are completely visible. To AutoFit individual columns, highlight the cells which you want Excel to take into account or simply highlight the entire column. Next, position the cursor over the right hand edge of the column and double-click.
To AutoFit data in a range of columns, you can either select a range of data across several columns or highlight several entire columns. With your selection in place, choose Format then AutoFit Column Width in the Cells group of the Home Tab on the Excel Ribbon.
When using Excel's AutoFit feature, it's inevitable that you'll end up with columns that have different widths. If you want a range of columns to have exactly the same width then simply select the range and choose Format then Column Widths and enter the required width.
Excel also allows you to interactively adjust the width of columns. To do this, position the cursor on the right hand edge of the column. When the cursor changes to a double arrow, click, hold and drag. As you drag, the width of the column is displayed both in characters and in pixels. This technique can be used either to adjust the width of a single column or a range of columns.
About the Author:
The The writer of this article is a trainer and developer with Macresource Computer Solutions, an independent computer training company offering Microsoft Excel 2007 training courses at their central London training centre.
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