All cells in Microsoft Excel have a default row height and column width. Any text entered that is longer than the cell size will flow outside of the cell. It is uncomfortable to deal with and is regarded as poor formatting.
Excel offers a variety of options to modify the column and row sizes in order to correct this. Allowing Excel to determine the appropriate cell size automatically is one of the simplest methods to accomplish this. The Excel Autofit function is all that is involved.
Let me demonstrate how to utilize it simply in this instruction.
Overview of the Autofit Excel Feature
The Autofit function of Excel automatically adjusts the row and column sizes of cells to fit inputs of various sizes. Without human input, it is intended to modify the column width and row height optimally.
The Excel autofit function adjusts every column’s width to accommodate the row’s biggest number. In a similar vein, it increases the height of every row to accommodate multi-line texts.
However, bear in mind that the size of a row or column can only increase so much.
The maximum number of characters that can fit in a typical Excel column are 255 when using a standard font size and style (without bold and italics). In contrast, a single Excel row may include up to 14.315 cm of text, or numerous lines of text.
How does Excel autofit?
In Excel, there are three ways to utilize autofit. To save time, you can utilize the keyboard shortcuts directly, the Excel ribbon menu, or the mouse.
I’ll use examples to demonstrate how to do all of this.
How Can I Fit Excel Rows and Columns Automatically With a Mouse?
The Excel autofit tool is probably used in the most user-friendly way possible in this case. Simply double-click the border of the closest column or row to get started.
Let me simplify things for you.
Simply hover the cursor over the right column border to automatically adjust the column size. A pointer with two heads will emerge. Double-click the column border now to make it wider.
Simply move the mouse pointer over a row’s lower border to automatically adjust the row size for that particular row. The row border may now be expanded by double-clicking with the help of the double-headed arrow pointer.
Make sure to pick every column or row before using the autofit function on them. Double-click any row or column boundary inside the selection by doing so. Similar to that, use “Ctrl+A” to pick all of the cells if you wish to autofit the whole sheet.
Keep in mind that, depending on your needs, you can autofit rows, columns, or both at once.
How to Use the Excel Ribbon to Autofit Excel Columns and Rows?
Another simple method for using autofit in Excel is this.
Follow these steps to use the Excel ribbon to apply the autofit feature:
1.Select the necessary columns, then select the Autofit Column Width option from the Format drop-down menu. The Cells group of the Home tab has the Format drop-down menu.
2.Select the appropriate rows, then click the Autofit Row Height button in the Format drop-down box.
Excel Autofit Shortcuts on the Keyboard
The only difference between this approach and the Excel ribbon method is that in this case, we access them via the Excel ribbon shortcuts.
Pick the rows or columns you wish to autofit as normal. When selecting numerous non-contiguous rows or columns, keep the “Ctrl” key pressed as you click on each one of them.
Then press “Alt+H.” The Home tab in the ribbon will be chosen and opened as a result.
Then press “O.” This will pick the Format menu and make it visible.
Use “I” to auto-fit the column width now. Alt+H > O > for that. I
Use “A” for autofit row height. That would be Alt+H > O > A.
How Should I Proceed If Excel Autofit Does Not Work?
The Excel autofit functionality could occasionally malfunction. Unaligned text or excess space at the conclusion of the text are the most common issues.
This is typically brought on by the use of duplicate features that contradict, such wrap text.
There isn’t a set way to do things that is absolute. However, there is a solid procedure you may use to troubleshoot it.
By clicking and dragging any column boundary with your mouse, you may select all the cells in the sheet. Now, reset the autofit function in the sheet by double clicking on any of the row or column boundaries. In most circumstances, this will resolve the problems.
Excel substitutes for Autofit
Although the Excel autofit tool is incredibly useful, it is not always the best option, especially when dealing with lengthy text strings. In these circumstances, you can display the text across numerous lines by using the wrap text function.
The Merge function is a significant substitute for autofit. Click the Merge & Centre button in the Alignment Group under the Home tab after selecting two or more neighboring cells that you want to extend.