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How to Fix Excel Autofit Row Height Not Working

January 8, 2024 9.7K views

In the daily grind of work, encountering situations where Excel's autofit row height feature doesn't cooperate can be frustrating. Many users find themselves in a dilemma, unsure of how to address this glitch. If you're wondering how to tackle this, worry not. In this article, we'll shed light on the solution, helping you make the most of Excel's capabilities.

Part 1. Reasons Why Excel Autofit Row Height Not Working

Understanding the Mechanism of Excel's Autofit Row Height Excel's autofit row height function adjusts row dimensions based on cell contents, considering factors such as font size, line breaks, and text wrapping. Learn how to utilize this feature efficiently, and even apply it across multiple rows simultaneously.

Here are some reasons why Excel Autofit Row Height may not be working:

  • The row height has been manually adjusted. If you have manually adjusted the row height, Excel will not automatically adjust it again. To reset the row height to automatic, select the row and then click Home > Format > AutoFit Row Height.

  • The cell contains merged cells. Excel cannot automatically adjust the row height for rows that contain merged cells. To unmerge the cells, select the merged cells and then click Home > Merge & Center > Unmerge Cells.

  • The cell contains text with line breaks or wrapping. If the cell contains text with line breaks or wrapping, Excel will not automatically adjust the row height to fit the entire text. To remove the line breaks or wrapping, select the cell and then click Home > Alignment > Wrap Text.

  • The cell contains a formula. If the cell contains a formula, Excel will not automatically adjust the row height to fit the result of the formula. To see the formula, double-click the cell.

  • The sheet is protected. If the sheet is protected, you will not be able to change the row height, including using the AutoFit Row Height feature. To unprotect the sheet, click Review > Protect Sheet and then clear the Protect sheet checkbox.

Part 2. How to Solve Excel Autofit Row Height Not Working?

Have you ever experienced the frustration of Excel's autofit row height not cooperating? It's a common issue that can disrupt your workflow. But fear not! We're here to guide you through effective solutions to get your rows adjusting flawlessly to your content.

Method 1: Manually input row height or unmerge cells

Step 1. Check if the cells are merged. If the cells are merged, Excel will not be able to autofit the row height. To unmerge cells, select the merged cells and then click Home > Merge & Center > Unmerge Cells.

Step 2. Manually input the row height. If the cells are not merged, you can manually input the row height. To do this, select the row and then click Home > Format > Row Height. Type the desired row height in the Row height box and then press Enter.

This method is the simplest and most straightforward way to solve the issue. However, it can be time-consuming if you have a lot of rows to adjust.

In my experience, this method is usually effective if the issue is caused by merged cells. However, it may not work if the issue is caused by a formula or a protected sheet.

Method 2: Use VBA macro

Step 1. Create a VBA macro. To create a VBA macro, press Alt+F11 to open the Visual Basic Editor. In the Visual Basic Editor, click Insert > Module. Copy and paste the following code into the new module:

Sub AutoFit_RowHeight()

   With Selection.CurrentRegion

       .Rows.EntireRow.AutoFit

   End With

End Sub

Step 2. Run the VBA macro. To run the VBA macro, press F5. The macro will autofit the row height for the selected cells.

This method is more complex than the first method, but it can be more effective. However, you need to have some knowledge of VBA to use this method.

In my experience, this method is usually effective for any type of issue. However, it may be difficult to troubleshoot if the macro does not work.

Here is a comparison of the two methods based on my experience:

Method

Pros

Cons

Manually input row height or unmerge cells

Simple and straightforward

Time-consuming for large number of rows

Use VBA macro

More effective

Requires knowledge of VBA

Here are some additional tips for troubleshooting the Excel Autofit Row Height Not Working issue:

  • Make sure that the cell does not contain a formula.

  • Make sure that the sheet is not protected.

  • Try restarting Excel.

  • If you are using a third-party add-in, try disabling the add-in and then see if the issue is resolved.

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FAQs

1. How can I effectively use Autofit Row Height for wrapped text?

To ensure effective Autofit Row Height for wrapped text, follow these steps:

  1. Select the cell with wrapped text.

  2. Navigate to the "Home" tab and click on "Format" in the "Cells" group.

  3. Choose "AutoFit Row Height" to adjust the row height according to the wrapped text content.

2. Why is Excel not autofitting row height with merged cells?

Autofitting row height with merged cells can be tricky. Excel sometimes fails to predict the correct height due to the complexity of merged content. In such cases, consider manually adjusting the row height by following the steps provided in the article.

3. What to do when Excel autofit row height is not working for wrapped text?

If Excel's autofit row height isn't working as expected for wrapped text, try these steps:

Step 1. Unmerge all merged cells within the row.

Step 2. Manually adjust the row height by selecting the row, right-clicking, and choosing "Row Height" under the "Format" option.

Step 3. Input a larger row height to accommodate the wrapped text, and confirm with "OK."

Summary

From unraveling the mysteries of Excel's autofit row height to offering solutions that range from manual adjustments to VBA macros, this article equips you with the know-how to conquer the challenge of misbehaving row heights. As you navigate the world of Excel, keep in mind the dependable alternative of WPS Office, a suite that offers stability and modern design, ensuring a smoother journey in your document creation endeavors.


15 years of office industry experience, tech lover and copywriter. Follow me for product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for new apps and software.