Ever come across a scenario where your data didn't fit within a column or a cell?
Sometimes, the data size is too large and can only showcase some information in the right column and row size.
So users wrestle with manual adjustments and wonder: How can one automatically tailor Excel's column, row, and cell sizes?
We have the answer! Join us as we unveil the secrets of the Excel AutoFit function.
Method 1: How to AutoFit the column and row by double-click?
How to AutoFit the column by double-click
1. To autofit one column, place the mouse pointer over the right border of the column heading. A double-headed arrow will appear.
2. Double-click the border. Your column will automatically adjust to the size of the data.
How to AutoFit the row by double-click
1. To autofit a row height by double click, hover the mouse over the lower end of the row header.
The pointer will change, as you can see in the picture below.
2. Double-click to change the row height.
How to AutoFit the multiple columns or rows by double-click
1. Select the row or all columns you want to autofit.
2. Double-click a boundary of any two column/row headings in the selection to auto-fit.
How to AutoFit the whole sheet by double-click
You can use this feature with a large spreadsheet with many rows and columns.
1. Select the entire worksheet by clicking the select all button, as shown below. You can use keyboard short cuts ctrl+A( windows) or command+A ( mac)
2. Move the cursor point between any row/column header as sown below.
3. Double-click to autofit the entire sheet.
Method 2: How to AutoFit the column and row by Ribbon?
You can use the ribbon to expand Excel cells to fit text automatically.
1. Select the rows/columns you want to autofit.
2. Go to the Home tab. Select the cells group, and click AutoFit Row Height.
Method 3: How to AutoFit the column and row by a shortcut?
Keyboard shortcuts efficiently adjust column width, row height, multi-column and row selection, and even the entire sheet.
Column width shortcut method
1. Select the column or cell you want to adjust the width.
2. Press Alt+H+O+I to adjust the column width.
Adjusting row Height
1. Select the cell or column which needs adjusting the height
2. Press ALT +H+O+A to adjust the height.
Adjusting multiple columns/ all rows or entire worksheets with a keyboard shortcut
1. select the entire worksheet using CTRL+A or select all button.
2. Press ALT+H+O+I to adjust width / ALT+H+O+A to adjust height
How to turn off AutoFit?
You can turn it off if you don’t want AutoFit to adjust your table or column width automatically.
Select your table. Go to the Layout tab. Select the Cell Size group, and click AutoFit.
Common Autofit Problems and their solutions
Though autofit is usually reliable, there may be instances where problems occur.
1. Some extra space appears below the last line of text or overfitting.
Select the whole worksheet.
Make a column wider by dragging the column heading
Double-click a row separator to auto-fit the row height.
Double-click a column separator to auto-fit the column widths.
2. Merged Cells: Excel Autofit doesn't work well with merged cells. This might result in inconsistent resizing.
Instead of merging cells, adjust column widths and row heights individually to accommodate the content in each cell.
Alternative methods
WPS Office is a powerful office suite offering various features and functions. Here are some notable features of WPS Office and a guide on how to use the Autofit function within the suite:
1. Writer (Word Processor):
Create professional documents with advanced formatting options, templates, and styles.
Utilize the Table Autofit feature to adjust table cell widths to fit the content.
2. Spreadsheets (Excel):
Perform data analysis with built-in formulas.
Create visually appealing charts to represent data effectively.
Use the Autofit feature to adjust column widths and row heights based on the content.
3. Presentation (PowerPoint):
Design captivating presentations with a wide range of templates.
Autofit text within text boxes to ensure optimal visibility
Using Autofit in WPS Office
1. Launch WPS Writer, Spreadsheets, or Presentation, depending on the document type you are working with.
2. To autofit column widths or row heights in Spreadsheets:
3. Select the column(s) or row(s) you want to adjust.
4. Right-click on the selected area and choose "Column Width" or "Row Height."
5. In the dialogue box, select the "AutoFit" option.
WPS Office offers a comprehensive suite of features, including the convenient Autofit function, allowing you to create and edit easily and present documents. WPS Office enhances productivity and streamlines office tasks.
FAQs about Lock Rows and Columns in Excel
1. Can I apply Autofit to non-contiguous columns or rows?
The Excel Autofit feature is designed to adjust the width or height of rows based on the content within those specific columns or rows. Autofit cannot be directly applied to non-contiguous columns or rows.
When you select non-contiguous columns or rows, the Autofit option is unavailable. It only becomes active when you select a single column or row or a range of adjacent columns or rows.
2. Can I use Autofit with Pivot Tables?
Setting column widths in a Pivot Table in Excel is crucial for readability. By using the "AutoFit Column Width" feature, you can achieve consistency in the entire Pivot Table.
Here's how:
Right-click within the Pivot Table. Select "AutoFit Column Width" from the context menu. This will automatically adjust the column widths based on the content within each column.
3. Does Autofit work with merged cells?
Excel restricts the use of AutoFit on columns or rows that contain cells merged with cells in other columns or rows. This prevents the Excel AutoFit feature from functioning correctly.
Solution: You can manually adjust the row height and column width when working with merged cells.
Make your life easier with Autofit.
This article discussed the Excel autofit feature and functions of WPS Office. This comprehensive office suite offers tools for creating, editing, and managing documents. We highlighted its capabilities in Writer (Word Processor), Spreadsheets (Excel), and Presentation (PowerPoint), emphasizing the convenience of the Autofit function in adjusting column widths and row heights.
Additionally, we addressed common issues and provided solutions when using Autofit in Excel, such as uneven row heights and limitations with merged cells. We also explored how to manually adjust column widths and row heights in non-contiguous ranges in Excel.
Throughout the conversation, we emphasized the benefits of using WPS Office and its ability to streamline office tasks. WPS Office offers a reliable solution for creating and managing documents, allowing users to use convenient features like Autofit to ensure clear data presentation.
Overall, WPS Office is a valuable office suite for users of all levels, providing a versatile environment for creating documents while offering essential features such as Autofit to optimize data visualization.
