Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated March 14, 2020)
This tip applies to Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
It is fairly easy to put more text in a cell than can be easily displayed. While you can widen the column to display all the text, that may not always work for your needs. Instead, you can wrap the text within the cell, so that the cell height is increased to display all the text. Follow these steps:

Figure 1. The Alignment tab of the Format Cells dialog box.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2676) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.
Dive Deep into Macros! Make Excel do things you thought were impossible, discover techniques you won't find anywhere else, and create powerful automated reports. Bill Jelen and Tracy Syrstad help you instantly visualize information to make it actionable. You’ll find step-by-step instructions, real-world case studies, and 50 workbooks packed with examples and solutions. Check out Microsoft Excel 2019 VBA and Macros today!
Need a line through the middle of your text? Use strikethrough formatting, which is easy to apply using the Format Cells ...
Discover MoreThe ability to center text across a range of cells has long been a staple of experienced Excel users. Here's how to ...
Discover MoreExcel allows you to adjust spacing between cell walls and the contents of those cells. It does not, however, allow you to ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
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 © 2026 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments