How to Change Width of Column in Excel

Microsoft Excel is a powerful tool used by individuals and organizations to manipulate data and perform various calculations. It is common to have a spreadsheet with different column widths. However, sometimes the default column width may not fit our needs perfectly. This is when adjusting the width of a column in Excel becomes necessary. In this blog post, we will discuss the steps to change the width of a column in Excel, making it easier for you to customize your spreadsheets to your specific needs.

Selecting Columns to Adjust Width

Before adjusting column width in Excel, you need to identify which columns you would like to adjust. You can select a single column or multiple columns that you want to adjust. There are three ways that you can select a column in Excel.

Method 1: Click on the Column Header

To select a single column, click on the column’s header. The column header is represented by a letter on the top of the column such as A, B, C, etc.

Method 2: Drag Across Multiple Columns

If you want to adjust the width of multiple columns that are adjacent to each other, use your mouse to drag across the different column headers.

Method 3: Use the Ctrl Key

If you want to select non-adjacent columns, hold down the Ctrl key on your keyboard and click on the column headers. This will allow you to select multiple columns that are not adjacent to each other.

Adjusting the Column Width

Once you have decided on the columns to adjust, here are the steps to change the column width in Excel:

Step 1: Hover Over the Column Boundary

Hover your mouse over the boundary of the column whose width you want to adjust. You should see the cursor change into a double-headed arrow. This indicates that you are now ready to adjust the width.

Step 2: Adjust the Column Width

Click and drag the column boundary to the right or left until you have achieved the desired column width. You can also double click on the column boundary for Excel to automatically resize the width of the column.

Step 3: Release the Mouse Button

Release the mouse button once you have achieved the desired width. Your selected columns will now have the adjusted width that you applied.

Conclusion

Changing the width of a column in Excel is a simple process that can be achieved in just a few steps. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can adjust your columns’ width to your exact preference in no time. Always remember that, by adjusting the column width to fit the content within it, you can present your data more clearly and make it easier to understand.

Customizing Column Width and Autofit

You can customize the column width to any value that you desire. However, sometimes, you can also autofit columns in Excel. Autofit automatically resizes the width of a column to fit the widest item in that column, which can be a helpful shortcut. Here are the steps to autofit a column in Excel:

Step 1: Select the Column

Either click on the column header or drag across the column headers to select the column(s) that you want to autofit.

Step 2: Access the Autofit Option

Right-click on the selected column(s) and then click on “Autofit Column Width” in the dropdown menu.

Step 3: Column Width Adjustment

Excel will then adjust the selected column(s) width to fit the widest item in that column.

Changing Multiple Column Widths

If you want to change the width of several columns at once, follow these steps:

Step 1: Select Columns to Adjust

Select the columns that you want to adjust by clicking and dragging over the column header or by holding down the “Ctrl” key while making each selection.

Step 2: Adjust the Width

Follow the steps above for changing the width of a column, beginning with hovering over a boundary between two columns. After that, drag the boundary to increase or decrease the width of the columns.

Adjusting the Default Column Width in Excel

If you frequently work with spreadsheets that require columns of a specific width, you can adjust the default column width of all future Excel workbooks. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Go to the Home Tab

Select the “Home” tab from the top of the Excel window.

Step 2: Click on the Format Option

Within the Home tab, click on the “Format” option.

Step 3: Select Default Width Option

In the Format dropdown menu, select “Default Width”.

Step 4: Change Default Width of Columns

Input the desired column width into the dialog box and click “OK”. Your future workbooks will now open with the set column width as the default. If you later want to adjust column width for specific bounds for that file, follow the process as described above.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know how to adjust the column width in Excel, you can easily customize your spreadsheet to fit your specific needs. Whether it’s adjusting individual columns or changing the default column width, the ability to adjust these settings is an important tool for organization and readability. Try out these steps during your next project to see how they make your work easier and more productive.

FAQ

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions related to changing the width of a column in Excel:

Can I change the width of multiple columns at once in Excel?

Yes, you can change the width of multiple columns at once in Excel by selecting the columns you want to adjust, and then following the same steps used for changing the width of a single column.

Can I adjust the column width in Excel if my table has filters?

Yes, Excel allows you to adjust the column width for filtered tables. Click on the filter drop-down arrow to the right of the column’s header and then adjust the column width as normal.

What is the maximum column width that I can set in Excel?

The maximum column width that can be set in Microsoft Excel is 255 characters.

Can I set a default column width in Excel?

Yes, You can set a default column width in Excel by following the steps outlined in the “Adjusting the Default Column Width in Excel” section above.

Can I customize the column width for a printout in Excel?

Yes, Excel offers you the option of customizing the column width for printouts. Open the “Page Layout” tab at the top of the Excel window then click the “Print Titles” button. Here, you can adjust column and row headings to repeat across pages, as well as more printing options.