Excel has rows and columns to manage your data nicely. These rows and columns have a standard width and height. In a case, when the data is more than the available space, you will have to face problems. Your data will not appear correctly in the rows and columns because it exceeds the preset limits. Your data will spill out of the cells, so how would you control this situation?
Here the solution is to resize column width and row height, but the question is how to expand cells in Excel.
Today, we are going to discuss how you can increase the size of columns and rows without disturbing data. Follow the below-given methods and the cell will expand to fit your data.
Basics of the Excel Autofit
Just like Autofit, Excel has many other useful features that let you perform a task smoothly. Autofit allows you to resize the cells so that you can organize data without spilling out of the cells. Using this feature makes you able to put data without making changes in the row height and column width because it happens by default.
Let’s see how it works:
Autofit Column Width
Using this feature lets you resize the column width to manage the biggest value from the column.
Autofit Row Height
Using this feature lets you manage the column width to accommodate the biggest value from the row. By default, the size of the row increases when you use this option so that any size of data can fit properly in the cell.
Do you know the row height does not need to be adjusted? Yes, it adjusts automatically as compared to the columns’ width. That’s why in most cases, you don’t need to reset the row height one by one. On the other hand, you have to reset the column width manually. while applying any feature, you have to follow some basic guidelines. Similarly, when you are trying to expand cells in Excel, you need to follow the rules and it does not matter if you are making changes manually or by default.
Usually, a column has space for a maximum of 255 characters. This length is already set with standard size and if you apply more than the preset font size, your data will simply not appear properly. Do you know the standard size of the column is 8.43 in Excel?
Well, it is enough size to hold data, however sometimes when you have bigger datasets; you need to make such changes. Talking about row size, maximum you can put 409 characters with 1 point equal to about 1/72 inch or 0.35 cm. You may have noticed the default row height from 15 points can vary on a 100% dpi to 14.3 points on a 200% dpi.
Sometimes, when the column of the row is not prominent on the sheet, it is simply because the row height and column width are set to 0. That’s why Autofit helps you in many situations while expanding the cells to fit your data. Autofit feature is capable enough to make by default changes in the cells so that you don’t need to waste time in making further changes.
Autofit Rows and Columns with Mouse Click
When the data is not fit in the column and spills out to other columns, you need to follow the steps given below:
With the help of a mouse click, you can simply expand the width and height of the cell.
- Place the cursor on the right side of the column header.
- You will see the cursor turns into the double-sided arrow header.
- Double-click the left key from the mouse.
- And you will see the data fits automatically in the cell.
The column width changes automatically, so now you can manage the whole data to fit properly in the cells. Also, keep in mind that the column width can be increased to manage the cell that needed the maximum width.
Autofit Rows and Columns using Keyboard Shortcut
Most users like keyboard shortcuts whether they need to perform a simple task or an advanced function. For Autofit function, you can use the keyboard shortcut keys to make your data fit in the cells:
To Autofit Column Width
Press ALT + H + O + I
To Autofit Row Height
Press ALT + H + O + A
Let’s have a look at some steps for applying these functions:
- Select the column or row that needed to expand.
- Apply the shortcut keys accordingly. Suppose you need to change the size of the row height, you will press the ALT key first, and then H + O + A respectively from the keyboard.
Be careful while pressing the keys. They must be in the right sequence and have no wrong keys.
Resize Multiple Rows and Columns at Once
Below some steps are given to follow when you need to expand more than one row and column at the same time.
- Choose the column or row that needed to be resized. For the columns or rows, left-click the header and drag the mouse to select multiple rows or columns.
- Now, left-click once again the mouse button in the header between the selected columns or rows. Drag the mouse to the left and right for columns and up and down for the rows to regulate the size of all the selected columns at the same time.
That’s it!
Using the same procedure, you can regulate the row size as well.
