by Andrew Whiteman

Microsoft Excel offers us a number of different ways of changing the width of columns and the height of rows. The width of columns is expressed as the number of characters the cell can hold. By default, Excel gives each column a width of just over eight characters. This means, for example, that if you're using a spreadsheet primarily for numerical data, you can enter eight digits in each column using the default width.

If you plan to modify the default width, it makes sense to do so before you start entering data into your worksheet. For example, if you know that you'll be entering fairly short pieces of data in each column, you might want to reduce the default width. To customise the default width, go to the Cells section of the Home Tab of the Excel Ribbon. Click the Format button and choose Default Width from the drop-down. In the window which appears, you will see Excel's standard column width of approximately 8 characters. Simply input a new entry and click OK.

As long as you haven't changed the width of a column using any other technique, you can change the default width at any time and any cells that have been left at the default width will automatically change to reflect the new setting.

The second method of changing column widths is to use Excel's AutoFit feature. This technique automatically adjusts the width of a column to ensure that the contents of the selected cells are completely visible. To AutoFit a range columns, highlight the cells that you want Excel to take into account or simply highlight the entire column. Next, position the cursor on the right hand edge of the column and, when the cursor changes to a double arrow, double-click.

You can also AutoFit data in a range of columns by selecting a range of data across several columns or highlight several entire columns and then choosing Format then AutoFit Column Width in the Cells group of the Home Tab of the Excel Ribbon.

When using the AutoFit feature, it's inevitable that you'll end up with columns that have different widths. If you would like a range of columns to have exactly the same width then simply select the range and choose Format then Column Widths and enter a global width.

Excel also allows you to adjust the width of columns interactively. To do this, position the cursor on the right hand edge of the column and, when the cursor changes to a double arrow, click, hold and drag. As you drag, you will see the width of the column displayed both in characters and in pixels. This same technique can be used either to adjust the width of a single column or a range of columns.

About the Author:
The author is a training consultant with Macresource Computer Solutions, a UK IT training company offering Microsoft Excel 2007 Classes in London and throughout the UK.