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How to Make Cells Bigger in Excel

September 11, 2023 3.4K views

Cramped and disorganized data sheets can significantly impact the visual appeal and readability of your data presentations. Fortunately, you have the power to resolve this issue by adjusting cell sizes to create more organized and polished sheets. In this article, we'll walk you through the steps on how to make cells bigger in Excel to effectively optimize your data sheet layouts for a more professional and engaging presentation.

How to Make Cells Bigger in Excel

How to Make Cells Bigger in Excel


How to Make Cells Bigger in Excel on Window

When working with Excel on Windows, it's essential to know how to make cells bigger to present your data effectively. Excel offers users four convenient methods to adjust cell sizes without consuming too much time. Let's explore how to make cells bigger in Excel on Windows.

Method 1: Resizing Excel Cells with the Mouse

This method permits manual cell resizing using your mouse:

Step 1: Hover your mouse over the cell's edges until the cursor becomes a black cross.

 Excel select row or column

Excel select row or column


Step 2: Click and drag the cell's edge to expand or shrink it to your desired size.

Excel Resize cells using mouse

Excel Resize cells using mouse

Tip:

To resize multiple rows or columns uniformly, follow these steps:

Step 1: Select the rows or columns you want to adjust by clicking and dragging the mouse.

Excel select multiple rows selected

Excel select multiple rows selected


Step 2: Once selected, use the cursor to adjust the size of one row or column.

 Excel adjust row or column size

Excel adjust row or column size


Step 3: All selected rows or columns will be resized proportionally, maintaining the same size for each.

Excel resize rows and column uniformly

Excel resize rows and column uniformly

Method 2: Using Keyboard Shortcuts

Learn how to expand cells in Excel using keyboard shortcuts:

Step 1: Click the cell you want to resize and press the ALT key on your keyboard. Observe the tab changes at the top of Excel; this guides you on the next keys to press for the shortcut.

 Excel ALT to enter shortcuts

Excel ALT to enter shortcuts


Step 2: For resizing rows, press H + O + H. Here's how it works: H opens the Home tab, O visits the Format Cell option in Excel, and H opens the Row Height formatting dialog.


Step 3: Enter the desired height for your row in the Row height dialog box.

 Excel Row height window

Excel Row height window


Additional Shortcuts to resize rows and columns:

  • To AutoFit Column Width: ALT + H + O + I

  • To AutoFit Row Height: ALT + H + O + A

  • To Manually Adjust Row Height: ALT + H + O + H

  • To Manually Adjust Column Width: ALT + H + O + W

Keyboard shortcuts provide a speedy way to resize your cells efficiently.

Method 3: Utilizing the Home Tab

The Home tab provides additional options for resizing cells:

Step 1: Navigate to the Home tab in the Excel ribbon.

Step 2: Select "Format" in the Cells group.

Excel format cells

Excel format cells


Step 3: Choose "AutoFit Row Height" to automatically adjust row height based on the content.

Step 4: Opt for "AutoFit Column Width" to automatically adjust column width based on the content.

Excel Autofit column and row

Excel Autofit column and row


Step 5: Use "Row Height" and "Column Width" options to adjust sizes manually.

Excel adjust Column width

Excel adjust Column width


Method 4: Using Right-Click Options

You can also right-click on the cell and access "Row Height" and "Column Width" options to manually adjust sizes.

Each of these methods offers users the flexibility to adjust cell sizes according to their specific sheet and data requirements. As a writer, I personally favor the keyboard shortcuts because they allow me to stay focused on the keyboard, which can be more efficient. However, for users who rely more on the mouse and don't frequently use the keyboard, the cursor method is user-friendly and intuitive. Excel ensures that users have multiple options to choose from, making the cell resizing process seamless and adaptable to individual preferences and working styles.

How to Make Cells Bigger in Excel on Mac

Method 1: Using Ribbon to resize Excel cells in Mac

In this method, you use the F6 key to navigate the ribbon menu. Here's how you can apply it in Excel on a Mac:

Step 1: Press the F6 key to access Home in the ribbon menu. Press “Space” to expand options in the Home tab.

Excel Mac ribbon

Excel Mac ribbon


Step 2: Use the Tab key to cycle through the options until you reach the "Format" menu.

 Excel Mac format option

Excel Mac format option


Step 3: Once on "Format", press the Spacebar to open it.

Step 4: Navigate to "AutoFit Column Width" and press Enter to adjust column width. Users can select other options to resize their row or column accordingly.

Excel Mac row and column options.

Excel Mac row and column options.


Method 2: Using the Toolbar to resize cells in Excel in Mac

This method involves using the Control (Ctrl) key and the F2 key to access the toolbar and resize cells in Excel. Here's how to do it:

Step 1: Press Control (Ctrl) + F2 to open the toolbar.

 Excel Mac toolbar

Excel Mac toolbar


Step 2: Use arrow keys to navigate through the options.

Step 3: In Format option, select “Cells” and press Enter to adjust column width.

 Excel Mac format option in toolbar

Excel Mac format option in toolbar


Method 3: Apple native shortcuts to resize cells

This approach allows you to create custom keyboard shortcuts specific to resizing cells in Excel in your Mac OS settings:

Step 1: Click on the Apple icon, go to System Preferences.

 Excel Mac system preferences

Excel Mac system preferences


Step 2: Select Keyboard in System Preferences window.

Excel Mac Keyboard in System preferences

Excel Mac Keyboard in System preferences


Step 2: Click on "App Shortcuts" and specify a new shortcut for Excel, e.g., "AutoFit Selection".

Mac Keyboard shortcuts

Mac Keyboard shortcuts


Step 3: Set a keyboard shortcut, like Shift + Command + U, and save it.

 Mac applications shortcuts

Mac applications shortcuts


Step 4: Now, you can use Shift + Command + U to autofit columns in Excel.

Method 4: Mac Excel's Customize Keyboard Settings

This method is specific to Excel's native settings and is particularly useful for those who prefer Excel-specific shortcuts:

Step 1: Open Excel and go to Preferences > Customize Keyboard.

 Excel Mac customize keyboard

Excel Mac customize keyboard


Step 2: In the Categories section, select the Home tab. Search for "AutoFit Selection" In Commands.

Excel Mac customize keyboard shortcuts

Excel Mac customize keyboard shortcuts


Step 3: Create a custom shortcut, such as Shift + Command + A.

Excel Mac custom shortcut

Excel Mac custom shortcut


Step 4: Apply the shortcut, and now you can use Shift + Command + A to autofit columns.

Comparing these methods, the first three are somewhat complex and require navigating through menus or system preferences. The fourth method, Excel's built-in customization, is the most convenient, allowing you to create an Excel-specific shortcut tailored to your needs. It's important to choose the method that best suits your workflow and preferences when working with Excel on a Mac.

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WPS Office

WPS Office


Let’s take a look at this quick guide to learn how to effectively edit Word files, Excel spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations using WPS Office.

Steps to edit Word/Excel/Powerpoint in WPS:

WPS Office can handle various types of documents, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files. You can edit these files in WPS Office with ease and compatibility. Here are the steps to do so:

Edit a Word File:

Step 1: On your computer, find the WPS Office suite and click to open it.

Step 2:  From the Side Bar menu, go to “Docs”. Open your Word document by using WPS Writer to find it.

WPS Office Docs

WPS Office Docs


Step 3: There are functionally specific editing tools in different tabs of WPS Writer, you can use them to make your manuscript more impressive.

WPS Writer tool

WPS Writer tool


Edit an Excel File:

Step 1: From the Side Bar menu, go to “Sheets”. Open your Excel document by using WPS Spreadsheet.

WPS Office Spreadsheet

WPS Office Spreadsheet


Step 2: You can use the editing tools to improve your Excel document. You will find the tools in different tabs of WPS Spreadsheet.

WPS Spreadsheets tools

WPS Spreadsheets tools


Edit a PowerPoint Presentation:

Step 1: From the Side Bar menu, click on “Slides” and open your PowerPoint Presentation using WPS Presentation.

WPS Office Presentations

WPS Office Presentations


Step 2: There are editing tools given in various tabs of WPS Presentation, use them to improve your Slideshow.

WPS Presentation tools

WPS Presentation tools

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FAQs

Q1. How to automatically adjust text size in Excel?

To auto-adjust the text size in Excel, begin by opening Excel and selecting the cell you want to adjust. You can also choose to select an entire row or the entire document content using (Ctrl) + (A). Next, navigate to the Home tab, click on Format, and then choose AutoFit Row Height.

Q2. How can I increase cell size in Google Sheets?

To enlarge cells in Google Sheets, start by selecting the specific cell or cells you want to resize. Then, go to the "Format" menu located at the top of the screen and select either "Column width" or "Row height" from the dropdown. A dialog box will appear, allowing you to enter your desired width or height. Once satisfied, simply click the "OK" button.

Elevating Your Data with Resized Brilliance

This article delves into the art of improving your data presentation by exploring how to make cells bigger in Excel for a more appealing look. While we've provided guidance on the 'how,' the 'where' is entirely up to you, allowing you to enhance the visual impact of your data. If you seek a spreadsheet option known for its simplicity and user-friendliness, consider downloading WPS Office today—no steep learning curve required.


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