How to Remove Extra Spacing in Excel

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve encountered an issue in Excel where there is extra spacing between rows or columns that you just can’t seem to get rid of. This can be frustrating, especially when you’re working with a large data set, and it can make your spreadsheet look messy and disorganized.

Luckily, removing extra spacing in Excel is a straightforward process that can be accomplished in just a few simple steps. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to identify where the extra spacing is located, and then walk you through the process of getting rid of it, so you can have a clean and easy-to-read spreadsheet in no time.

Step 1: Identify Where Extra Spacing is Located

The first step in removing extra spacing in Excel is to locate where the extra spacing is occurring. Typically, extra spacing occurs when rows or columns are inadvertently divided or enlarged, causing blank cells to appear.

To quickly identify where the extra spacing is occurring, you can use Excel’s “Go To Special” feature. Here’s how:

1. Select the cells you want to search for extra spacing.
2. Press the “F5” key to bring up the “Go To” dialog box.
3. Click on the “Special” button located in the bottom left-hand corner of the dialog box.
4. Select “Blanks” from the list of options and then click “OK.”
5. Once you’ve located the blank cells, you can move on to the next step.

Step 2: Delete Blank Cells

Now that you’ve found where the extra spacing is located, you can start to remove it. The first method we’ll cover is how to delete blank cells:

1. Select the blank cells you want to delete.
2. Right-click on one of the selected cells and choose “Delete” from the dropdown menu.
3. In the Delete dialog box, choose “Entire row” or “Entire column” depending on where the blank cells are located.
4. Click “OK” to delete the selected rows or columns.

Step 3: Adjust Row Height or Column Width

If the extra spacing is being caused by row height or column width that has been expanded, you can adjust these values to eliminate the extra spacing:

1. Select the rows or columns that have extra spacing.
2. Hover your mouse over the edge of the selected rows or columns until you see the double-headed arrow appear.
3. Click and drag the edge of the row or column to reduce the height or width, respectively.
4. A tooltip will appear, letting you know the exact height or width value you are setting.
5. Release the mouse button to adjust the row height or column width.

Now that you’ve gone through these steps, you should be able to easily remove extra spacing in your Excel spreadsheet. Remember to take care when deleting rows or columns and to only delete those that are completely empty. With a little practice, you’ll be able to create clean and professional-looking spreadsheets in no time.

Using Excel’s Formatting Tools

Another option for getting rid of extra spacing in Excel is to use its formatting tools. Here’s how:

1. Select the rows or columns that have extra spacing.
2. Right-click on one of the selected rows or columns and choose “Format Cells” from the dropdown menu.
3. In the Format Cells dialog box, select the “Alignment” tab.
4. Under the “Text control” section, make sure that the “Wrap text” option is unchecked.
5. Click “OK” to close the dialog box.

This method will adjust the formatting of the cells to eliminate extra spacing caused by wrapped text. If you want to keep the text wrapped, simply adjust the column width to fit the text properly.

Checking for Hidden Rows and Columns

Another common cause of extra spacing in Excel is hidden rows or columns. Here’s how to check for and unhide any hidden rows or columns:

1. Select the entire worksheet by clicking the triangle at the top left corner of the sheet.
2. Press the “Ctrl” + “Shift” + “9” keys to unhide any hidden rows or “Ctrl” + “Shift” + “0” to unhide any hidden columns.

Using Excel’s AutoFit Feature

If you’re working with a large data set and aren’t sure which column widths need to be adjusted, Excel’s AutoFit feature can quickly adjust the column widths to fit the data. Here’s how:

1. Select the entire worksheet by clicking the triangle at the top left corner of the sheet.
2. Double-click on any column boundary to AutoFit that column, or press “Ctrl” + “F1” to open the Format Cells dialog box, and then select “AutoFit Column Width” under the “Alignment” tab.

Final Thoughts

Removing extra spacing in Excel is a simple process that can greatly improve the look and readability of your spreadsheets. By following these steps, you can quickly identify and eliminate any extra spacing in your worksheets. Remember to keep an eye out for hidden rows or columns and to use Excel’s formatting tools to adjust wrapped text as necessary. With a little practice, you’ll be able to create professional-looking spreadsheets in no time.

FAQs

Below are some frequently asked questions related to removing extra spacing in Excel:

Why is there extra spacing in my Excel worksheet?

Extra spacing in Excel can occur for a variety of reasons, including wrapped text, hidden rows or columns, or expanded row heights or column widths. The key is to identify where the extra spacing is located, so you can take the appropriate steps to remove it.

How do I adjust the height of a row in Excel?

You can adjust the height of a row in Excel by placing your cursor on the line separating the two rows. Then, click and drag the line up or down to adjust the height of the row. Alternatively, you can right-click on the row, select “Row Height” from the dropdown menu, and manually enter the desired height.

How do I adjust the width of a column in Excel?

You can adjust the width of a column in Excel by placing your cursor on the line separating the two columns. Then, click and drag the line left or right to adjust the width of the column. Alternatively, you can right-click on the column, select “Column Width” from the dropdown menu, and manually enter the desired width.

How do I unhide hidden rows or columns?

To unhide hidden rows or columns in Excel, select the entire worksheet, and press “Ctrl” + “Shift” + “9” to unhide any hidden rows, or “Ctrl” + “Shift” + “0” to unhide any hidden columns.

How do I adjust the width of multiple columns at the same time in Excel?

To adjust the width of multiple columns at the same time in Excel, select the columns you want to adjust by clicking and dragging over the column headings. Then, place your cursor on the boundary between any of the selected columns until it turns into a double-headed arrow. Finally, click and drag to adjust the width of all of the selected columns at the same time.