Row AutoFit in Excel doesn't work right

[ginnyp]

This problem specifically relates to the Excel portion of Office for
MAC 2004. I have a spreadsheet (pricelist) which contains 4 columns and
2,289 rows. One column is set up for the description. It is 5.49" wide.
All of the cells in this column are formatted to wrap text. They are
also formatted to left align and to center vertically. The font is
Helvetica Condensed 9 pt. There are no merged cells.

In some cells, the copy doesn't even fill up the width allowed. In
other cells, the copy wraps to the second line. A few wrap to a third
line. For space and appearance, the row heights need to grow to accept
the amount of text in these cells, so I have the entire worksheet set
on <Format> <Row> <AutoFit>, but it's only working on some of the
larger cells - not all of them. I don't want to have to do this
manually. I cannot figure out why some of the cells are not working,
instead, are staying at the single-line height.

Another little "bug" I've noticed concerns where the text wraps on some
of the longer descriptions. The line wraps sometimes occur at different
places on the Excel worksheet and the Preview screen (and printouts,
either to a printer or PDF).

I've run the most recent Service Pack, so the Excel is at Version 11.2.

Please help. 1. Why does the <Format> <Row> <AutoFit> seem to work on
some rows but not all? 2. Why do the lines flow differently in the
worksheet and preview/print versions?

Thank you.

 

[CyberTaz]

Hi ginny-

Some thoughts re your inquiry;

In some cells, the copy doesn't even fill up the width allowed. In
other cells, the copy wraps to the second line. A few wrap to a third
line. For space and appearance, the row heights need to grow to accept
the amount of text in these cells, so I have the entire worksheet set
on <Format> <Row> <AutoFit>, but it's only working on some of the
larger cells - not all of them. I don't want to have to do this
manually. I cannot figure out why some of the cells are not working,
instead, are staying at the single-line height.

I believe this is where the problem arises. The default for the row height
is to automatically adjust based on character formatting & text wrap.
However, if you modify the height manually, the automatic adjustment is
effectively 'cancelled' at that point and further changes to the cell
content will _not_ cause any further automatic adjustment to take place.

Also, AutoFit is an after-the-fact adjustment feature, not a 'setting', so
using it may actually be a contributing factor in the rows refusing to
'automatically' change height based on content.

Another little "bug" I've noticed concerns where the text wraps on some
of the longer descriptions. The line wraps sometimes occur at different
places on the Excel worksheet and the Preview screen (and printouts,
either to a printer or PDF).

That isn't unusual and really isn't a bug. That's why you have Print Preview
which will give you the most accurate interpretation of what the printed
material will look like. This is especially true if the default is set to
not print gridlines, which do display in Normal view. Also, printers are far
more precise at putting the content where it is supposed to be than are
displays.

HTH |:>)

 

[JE McGimpsey]

2. Why do the lines flow differently in the
worksheet and preview/print versions?

one thing to check is the Print setting in File/Page Setup/Page. With
some printers/printer drivers, changing the setting to High corrects
some print/display anomalies.

 

[Roger Roger]

Another observation:

If you have merged any cells on a line, row AutoFit will not work for that
line. *sigh*

 

[JE McGimpsey]

Another observation:

If you have merged any cells on a line, row AutoFit will not work for that
line. *sigh*

Hmm... works for me with XL04. Can you describe what "will not work"
means to you? E.g., what cells are merged, what row is selected when you
choose Row/Autofit, etc?

That said, there are innumerable reasons why merged cells are the spawn
of the devil and should never be used...

 

[CyberTaz]

Not that JE needs any confirmation, but I'm having no trouble here either.
Have tried with cells merged by row as well as merged by column & AutoFit
works either way. No doubt a more exact description of your situation is
necessary.

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac