

Do you spend a lot of time changing the column width in Excel? On the one hand, you’d like to see as many columns as possible for having a good overview. On the other hand, you want to see as much content as possible within a column. In the worst case, you’d only see ### instead of values. Let’s have a look at how to adjust the rows and columns of an Excel sheet.
Contents
Distribute rows and columns manually.
The first method is the most intuitive one: Manually per drag and drop to adjust the width of each column.
Just click on the small column (or row) divider as shown in the image on the right side. Hold the mouse down and move it in the direction you want.
This way also works if you select many columns (or rows) at the same time. All columns get the same width then.
Tip: If there are hidden columns in between, you can unhide them by selecting all columns from the left to right column of the hidden column. Then change the column width for just one column and all of them (also the previously hidden column) get the same width.
Autofit the whole column with a double click on the column divider.
A faster way is to double click on the divider between columns (or rows). Double click on the line between the column letters on the top of the window can find the smallest possible width.
There is a keyboard shortcut combination for adjusting the column width:
The keyboard shortcut for rows is quite similar:
Alternatively you can go to “Home” –> “Format” (under “Cells”) –> “AutoFit Column Width” or “AutoFit Row Height”.
Please note: That way, the column width (or row height) will adapt to the contents of the complete column (or row).
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Only adjust the columns (or rows) to the selected cells.
Please take a look at the example on the right side. You got a table in the cell range B2 to C7. Below, in cell B9 is a footnote, which is quite long.
You want to adjust the column width to fit the upper table, B2 to C7 in it.
It’s quite similar to our method 2 above. The only exeption: Instead of adjusting the entire column, just select the cell range B2:C7.
Now apply the keyboard shortcut from above: Alt –> H –> O –> I. Alternatively, click “Home” –> “Format” (under “Cells”) –> “AutoFit Column Width”.
If you want to do the same for the row it, use the following methods after selecting all the rows:
Set a specific column width.
The previous methods aren’t exact enough for you? Then please consider this way.
You can set a specific column width (or row).
Please note: The value you type represents the number of characters shown in the standard font. “0” means, that the column (or row) is hidden.
This might happen, if you automatically distribute columns. The easiest way to solve this: Set a specific column width (e.g. “8”) according to the steps in method 4.
There are several possible reasons if you can’t change the column width. Please check the following:
Does your worksheet have frozen panes? If yes, unfreeze them by clicking “View” –> “Freeze Panes” –> “Unfreeze Panes”.
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Comments 1
PRAKASH
Dear Sir/Madam,
I want to change the row OR column height in Excel sheet without affecting hide row/column.
Kindly help me on this issue.
Thankyou