How to Bring Text Forward in Excel

Q: How do I reorder objects using the Selection Pane?

Open the Home tab, click Find & Select, then choose Selection Pane (or press Alt+F10). The pane lists every object on the sheet, with items at the top of the list sitting at the front of the stack. Drag an item up or down, or use the arrow buttons, to change which object appears in front — this is the easiest way to manage many overlapping shapes, text boxes, and pictures.

To bring text forward in Excel, click the text box or shape to select it, open the Shape Format tab, and choose Bring Forward (or Bring to Front) in the Arrange group. This moves the selected object up the stacking order so it sits in front of any overlapping objects.

Are you struggling with bringing text forward in Microsoft Excel? Do you find yourself spending too much time trying to rearrange your data? You’re not alone. Knowing how to bring text forward in Excel is an essential skill for anyone who works with spreadsheets regularly. In this blog post, we’ll provide you with a concise and direct answer on how to bring text forward in Excel. With these simple and easy-to-follow steps, you’ll be able to rearrange your data quickly and efficiently, making your work with spreadsheets a breeze.

Step-by-Step Guide to Bring Text Forward in Excel

If you have text in your spreadsheet which is hidden below another object, you can bring it forward. This can be useful when dealing with overlapping data such as charts or images. Follow these simple steps to bring text forward in Excel:

1. Select the Text Box

Firstly, select the text box containing the text you want to bring forward. To select it, click on the border of the text box. You will then see the border become highlighted to indicate that it is selected. If you haven’t created the object yet, see how to insert a text box in Excel or add a text box before layering it.

2. Open the ‘Format’ Tab

Next, open the ‘Format’ tab on the ribbon. This tab is labeled Shape Format in current versions of Excel (Microsoft 365 and Excel 2016 onward) and only appears once a text box, shape, or picture is selected. The format tab can be found on the top menu in Excel.

3. Find the ‘Bring Forward’ Option

In the ‘Format’ tab click on the ‘Bring Forward’ option. This option will bring your text to the front of the other cells. If you have multiple overlapping text boxes or chart objects, you can keep repeating this step until the desired text box appears on the top.

4. Align the Text Box

If you need to adjust the position of the text box, you can click and drag the border to move it around. To rotate the text box, click and drag the rotation handle until you reach the desired angle or use the ‘Rotation’ options also found in the ‘Format’ tab. For more on angling content, see how to rotate text in Excel or make text vertical.

That’s It!

Now you know how to bring text forward in Excel. It can be that simple to rearrange your data and present your ideas. With these simple steps, you’ll be able to showcase your data in a clear and concise way.

Additional Tips for Managing Overlapping Objects in Excel

While bringing the text forward in Excel is a simple process, managing multiple overlapping objects can get tricky. Here are some additional tips to help you manage your data.

Use ‘Arrange’ option for more control over objects

Excel has an ‘Arrange’ option that gives you more flexibility in managing overlapping objects. You can access it by right-clicking on the object and selecting ‘Arrange’. It will give you options to change the stacking order of objects, alignment, and more.

Merge Cells

If overlapping cells are causing issues, try merging them. You can merge cells by selecting them, right-clicking, and selecting ‘Merge cells’. See our full guide on how to merge cells in Excel for more options.

Use ‘Format as Table’ option to clean up data

If your data is cluttered and difficult to read, you can use the ‘Format as Table’ option. It can be found in the ‘Home’ tab. By using this option, you can apply formatting to your data to improve readability and make it easier to understand.

Utilize ‘Group’ option

If you’re working with rows and columns of data, the ‘Group’ option can be useful. It allows you to collapse and expand data rows or columns. For example, if you’re managing inventory data, grouping can help you collapse and hide information related to items that are no longer available, making your spreadsheet easier to manage and understand. You can access the ‘Group’ option by selecting the rows or columns and going to the ‘Data’ tab. Learn more about how to group data in Excel.

Excel is a powerful tool that allows you to manage and present data effectively. By knowing how to bring text forward and following these additional tips, you can take control of your data and present it in a clear and concise manner. Use these techniques to save time and create more professional-looking spreadsheets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common queries regarding bringing text forward in Microsoft Excel:

What is the difference between Bring Forward and Bring to Front?

‘Bring Forward’ moves the selected object up one level in the stacking order, so it sits in front of the object directly behind it. ‘Bring to Front’ jumps the object all the way to the top of the stack in a single click, in front of every other overlapping object. Both options live in the Arrange group of the Shape Format tab.

How do I reorder objects using the Selection Pane?

Open the Home tab, click Find & Select, then choose Selection Pane (or press Alt+F10). The pane lists every object on the sheet, with items at the top of the list sitting at the front of the stack. Drag an item up or down, or use the arrow buttons, to change which object appears in front — this is the easiest way to manage many overlapping shapes, text boxes, and pictures.

Can I bring forward only a part of the text in a cell?

No, you cannot bring just a part of the text forward. To bring a part of the text forward, you will need to either move it to a new cell or use the ‘Split Cells’ feature in Excel to divide the text into separate cells.

What is the keyboard shortcut for bringing text forward?

The keyboard shortcut for bringing an object, including text, forward in Excel is Ctrl+Shift++. Alternatively, to bring an object backward, you can press Ctrl+Shift+_ (underscore).

What is the maximum limit to bring object forward in Excel?

There is no maximum limit to bringing an object forward in Excel. You can keep clicking the ‘Bring Forward’ button in the ‘Format’ tab until the object reaches the front of the stack.

What if I accidentally bring an object too far forward?

If you accidentally bring an object too far forward and cannot see the object behind it anymore, you can choose Undo (Ctrl + Z) to get back to the previous arrangement. To redo a step, click on Redo (Ctrl + Y).

Can I bring a chart forward in Excel?

Yes, you can bring a chart forward in Excel by selecting the chart object and following the same ‘Bring Forward’ steps. The same Arrange tools apply when you resize and reposition a chart that overlaps other objects.