Lesson 13

Preview

Column Width & Row Height Adjustments

The main thing to remember about adjustments of cells is that column width adjustments and row height adjustments use 2 different measuring systems. Column width is measured in characters; with 8.43 characters being the default column width. Row height is measured in points; with 1 point equal to 1/72 inch. The default row height is 15 points. For example, a column width change of 30 does not equate to a row height change of 30. We will see how this plays out in the following practice exercise.

Practice Exercise 3: Perform worksheet column width and row height adjustments using a mouse

NOTE: EXCEL ONLINE USERS: the mouse symbol looks slightly different when adjusting column width/row height (two vertical lines instead of one)
We are going to widen Column A to fit the width of your full name.

STEP 1A: Move the mouse up to the divider between Column A and B. (FIGURE 1)

STEP 1B: Click and drag mouse to the right to widen column to size 30.00. As you drag the mouse, a Width box will appear indicating the changing width (FIGURE 2).

STEP 1C: After the width increases to 30.00, stop the mouse dragging and release the mouse button. This is the manual way of widening a column. (FIGURE 3)
There is an easier way shown in the next step.

STEP 2A: Move mouse up to the divider between column A and B. Double-click the mouse. (FIGURE 4)

STEP 2B: Column A automatically resizes to fit your full name. This is the fastest and most efficient way to resize a column. (FIGURE 5)

EXCEL ONLINE USERS: The mouse symbol looks slightly different when adjusting column width/row height (two horizontal lines instead of one).
STEP 3A: Increase the row height by moving the mouse over to the divider between row 1 and row 2 (FIGURE 6).

STEP 3B: Click and drag downward to increase the row height size to 30.00. As you drag the mouse, a height box will appear indicating the changing width (FIGURE 6).

STEP 3C: After the height increases to 30.00, stop the mouse dragging and release the mouse button (FIGURE 7).

Practice Exercise 4: Perform worksheet column width and row height adjustments using the Ribbon

(NOTE: EXCEL ONLINE USERS-Mouse symbol resembles a hand pointing with index finger instead of an arrow)
STEP 1A: To increase the column width using the Ribbon, first select column A by moving the mouse up to the column A header. You will see a black downward pointing arrow (FIGURE 8).
STEP 1B: Click the mouse on the column header to highlight all of the column A cells

STEP 2A: On the Ribbon, using the Home tab, locate the section Cells (FIGURE 9). Locate and mouse click the icon for the command Format. Notice it has a downward pointing arrow, indicating it provides a drop-down menu. On the drop-down menu select the choice, Column Width.

STEP 2B: In the Column Width dialog box, enter 50. Press OK button (FIGURE 10).

STEP 2C: Column A has now increased its width to 50 (FIGURE 11).

Figure 11

STEP 3A: To increase the row height using the Ribbon, first select row 1 header by moving the mouse over to the row header. You will see a black rightward pointing arrow. Click the mouse on the row header to highlight the row 1 cells.

STEP 3B: On the Ribbon, using the Home tab, locate the section Cells. Locate and mouse click the icon for the command Format. Notice it has a downward pointing arrow, indicating it provides a drop-down menu. On the drop-down menu select the choice, Row Height (FIGURE 13).