Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated June 1, 2020)
This tip applies to Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
Matt asked if there is a way to format a merged cell so that when the content of the cell exceeds the width, the row height is automatically adjusted to display the additional lines necessary.
Unfortunately, AutoFit (which Excel uses for row height) doesn't work with merged cells. There are ways around this problem, but none of them are easy or automatic. For this reason, you might consider re-designing your worksheet so that it doesn't use merged cells. If you must use them, then you might try this little trick, assuming the merged cells are in A2:M2:
You might wonder why, in step 4, you subtracted 2 from your original calculated width. This is just a "fudge factor" used to force a slightly narrower column width, and therefore slightly different word wrapping. This comes in handy when you are later viewing your worksheet using a different zoom factor or when you are using a different printer driver.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2602) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Excel (Excel 2007 and later) here: Adjusting Row Height when Wrapping Text.
Solve Real Business Problems Master business modeling and analysis techniques with Excel and transform data into bottom-line results. This hands-on, scenario-focused guide shows you how to use the latest Excel tools to integrate data from multiple tables. Check out Microsoft Excel 2013 Data Analysis and Business Modeling today!
Need to cram a bunch of text all on a single line in a cell? You can do it with one of the lesser-known settings in Excel.
Discover MoreNeed to merge a bunch of cells together on a regular basis? You'll love the two macros in this tip which can make short ...
Discover MoreCells in a worksheet defined by the intersection of rows and columns. If you adjust row height and column width just ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2015-11-28 05:43:19
Ray Austin
If you leave col P in (hidden if you prefer), then the row heights will automatically adjust whenever the data in A2:M45 changes.
Got a version of Excel that uses the menu interface (Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, or Excel 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments