Better Use of Heading Space

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated May 29, 2021)
This tip applies to Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003

You have probably noticed that column headings (the ones you enter) are often wider than the data in the column. This means that the printout may be wider than necessary, or even wider than what can fit on a single piece of paper.

One way to solve this is to change the orientation of your headings, so they are sideways. The following steps will do the trick:

  1. Select the cells containing the column headings you wish to change.
  2. Select Cells from the Format menu. Excel displays the Format Cells dialog box.
  3. Click on the Alignment tab. (See Figure 1.)

    4. Figure 1. The Alignment tab of the Format Cells dialog box.

  4. Use the Orientation section to specify the angle (in degrees) at which the headings should be turned.
  5. Click on OK. Your headings are turned as you directed.
  6. Format your columns to so their width is better suited to the new text orientation.

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (1934) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

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