How do you make a column fit to the text that takes up the most width in a cell within that column?

· Option 1:

1. Click the triangle in the top left corner to select the entire table.

2. Click the Home tab the Rows and Columns drop-down button AutoFit Row Height and AutoFit Column Width.

3. The row height and column width can be adjusted according to the characters and numbers in cells.

· Option 2:

1. Click the triangle in the top left corner to select the entire table.

2. Click the Home tab the Rows and Columns drop-down button Row Height and Column Width.

3. In the pop-up dialog, we enter the specific value, and click the OK button.

4. Then, we can expand cells to fit the text.

· Option 3:

1. Place the cursor at the cells column heading right border or row heading lower border.

2. When the cursor becomes a left-right arrow or up-down arrow, double click it.

3. Then, we can expand cells to fit the text.

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As you know, Excel has its standard row height and column width. Therefore, if you put data more than the preset space in the cells, your content will not appear correctly. The content spilling out of the cells simply means that your data exceeds the limit. So, how would you manage this case?

You must be wondering how to make Excel cells expand to fit text automatically, isn’t it?

Hopefully, you would have found some ways but here in this article, you will get to know all the best tricks that are tested and proven. By following these methods, you can simply expand the Excel cells to fit your data automatically.

Let’s dig out how it happens:                                  

Basics of the Excel Autofit

Similar to other useful features, Excel has AutoFit option that lets you resize the cells automatically so that your data of different sizes can fit into the cells smoothly. When applying AutoFit feature, you don’t need to make changes in the row height and column width manually as it happens by default.

The below explanation will clear up your mind further:

AutoFit Column Width

It helps in resizing the column width to accommodate the biggest value from the column.

AutoFit Row Height

It helps in regulating the column width to go with the biggest value from the row. Vertically the row will expand using this option as well as it holds extra-tall or multi-line text.

Talking about the row height, on the bases of the content’s height, the row height adjusts automatically. That’s why you don’t need to set the row’s size manually. However, this is not the case with column width. You may have to adjust the column width manually.

You will have to follow some rules while changing the size of cells in Excel. Moreover, it really does not matter at all, how you are making changes in the cell size, either manually or automatically.

Maximum of 255 characters a column can hold. Because the column width is 255 characters with standard font size, that’s why you will have to strictly keep it in mind. When you apply a bigger font size or extra font characteristics including italics or bold, it can simply minimize the maximum column width. Also, keep in mind that the default columns’ size is 8.43 in Excel.  

On the other side, a maximum of 409 characters a row can hold with 1 point equal to about 1/72 inch or 0.035 cm. From 15 points, the default row height in Excel may differ on a 100% dpi to 14.3 points on a 200% dpi.

Another plus point is that when your row height or column width is set to 0, which means the column of the row is not visible on the sheet and they are hidden.

Using AutoFit feature in Excel can quickly expand the cells in Excel to fit text automatically. And you don’t need to make any changes manually. It is well informed to set the size of cells according to the content’s size.  

AutoFit Rows and Columns with Mouse Double Click

Having a data set in which your content spills out to another column just because the column width is not enough to accommodate the entire text.

How do you make a column fit to the text that takes up the most width in a cell within that column?

Let’s find out how you can expand an Excel cell’s width and height with the help of a mouse double click.

  1. Move your cursor towards the right edge of the column header.
  2. The cursor will turn into a double-sided arrow icon.
How do you make a column fit to the text that takes up the most width in a cell within that column?
  1. From your mouse, double-click the left key.
  1. And that’s it! You will see the content fits automatically in the cell.
How do you make a column fit to the text that takes up the most width in a cell within that column?

The column width is changed by default, now you can manage to fit in the entire content without spilling out the text to other cells. Remember that the column width is increased to regulate the cell that needs the maximum width.

AutoFit Columns and Rows Using the Ribbon

In Excel, using the Ribbon option you can autofit the text by following the given steps:

  1. Choose one or all the columns given on the sheet to AutoFit column width. For this, you need to go to the Home tab > Cells group > Format > AutoFit Column Width.
  2. Choose the rows you want to resize. To AutoFit row height simply go to the Home tab > Cells group > Format > AutoFit Row Height.
How do you make a column fit to the text that takes up the most width in a cell within that column?

AutoFit Rows and Columns Using Keyboard Shortcut

Those who prefer working with a keyboard rather than using a mouse would find it more helpful to know the trick of using keyboard shortcuts for AutoFit. Below you will see some functional shortcut keys to AutoFit the cells:

To AutoFit Column Width

You will have to press ALT + H + O + I

To AutoFit Row Height

You will have to press ALT + H + O + A

Now, let’s see how you can apply these shortcut keys effectively.

  1. Choose the column or row that you need to resize.
  2. Apply the relevant shortcut keys in the right sequence. For instance, when applying ALT + H + O + A to AutoFit, press the ALT key first, then the H key next is the O key, and then press the A key from your keyboard.

Following the sequence is more important to get the right outcome.

Apply Excel Feature to Make Excel Cells Expand Automatically

A built-in feature in Excel lets you fit content automatically when the text is spilling to other cells. You can easily change the column height or row width. Here comes the easy to follow steps:

  1. Go to the Home tab and open the Cell ribbon to choose the Format option. From the menu, choose AutoFit Row Height option.
How do you make a column fit to the text that takes up the most width in a cell within that column?
  1. Now, the row height is adjusted. Let’s move on to resize the column width.
How do you make a column fit to the text that takes up the most width in a cell within that column?
  1. Go to the Cells ribbon and choose the Format option. Click on the AutoFit Column Width option from the given menu.
How do you make a column fit to the text that takes up the most width in a cell within that column?
  1. Finally, you will see the expanded cells to fit your entire content automatically.

Using Wrap Text Feature to Fit Text Automatically

Follow the steps to understand how to make Excel cells expand to fit text automatically.

  1. Choose the entire dataset. Go to the Home tab and click on the Wrap Text option from the Alignment Ribbon.
How do you make a column fit to the text that takes up the most width in a cell within that column?
  1. Choosing this option will make the content remain in the cell. You will see that the cells are expanded vertically to fit the content automatically.
How do you make a column fit to the text that takes up the most width in a cell within that column?

Excel AutoFit Feature Issues

You have found all the possible ways so far that help to make Excel cells expand to fit text automatically. However, most of the time you may have to face Excel AutoFit not working issue right between your assignment. Generally, it appears when you have enabled the Wrap Text option.

Apart from that, you will face multiple issues while working on Excel. But nothing to worry about because every problem comes with a genuine solution. Try practicing different features of Excel and experience new tricks.

How do I make columns fit in text?

In "Table Tools" click the [Layout] tab > locate the "Cell Size" group and choose from of the following options: To fit the columns to the text (or page margins if cells are empty), click [AutoFit] > select "AutoFit Contents." To fit the table to the text, click [AutoFit] > select "AutoFit Window."

How do I adjust column width to fit text in Excel?

Change the column width to automatically fit the contents (AutoFit) Select the column or columns that you want to change. On the Home tab, in the Cells group, click Format. Under Cell Size, click AutoFit Column Width.

How would you change a column width to accommodate all the text in the Cells of that column?

Select one or more columns that you wish to resize. To select all columns, press Ctrl + A or click the Select All button. On the Home tab, in the Cells group, click Format > Column Width. In the Column width box, type the desired number, and click OK.

How do I make Excel Cells automatically fit text?

AutoFit Columns and Rows Using the Ribbon In Excel, using the Ribbon option you can autofit the text by following the given steps: Choose one or all the columns given on the sheet to AutoFit column width. For this, you need to go to the Home tab > Cells group > Format > AutoFit Column Width.