Varying Column Widths in Excel

[roneal]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: Power PC

Hello, I'm trying to create one sheet where the top third or so of the sheet will have one set of column widths, and the bottom of the sheet can have column widths that differ from the top.

The two sections aren't really related, but they need to all appear on one page. The bottom two thirds of the sheet will also need to have one additional column than the top does.

Can anyone steer me in the right direction?

Thanks in advance,
Rob

 

[JE McGimpsey]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: Power PC

Hello, I'm trying to create one sheet where the top third or so of the sheet
will have one set of column widths, and the bottom of the sheet can have
column widths that differ from the top.

The two sections aren't really related, but they need to all appear on one
page. The bottom two thirds of the sheet will also need to have one
additional column than the top does.

Can anyone steer me in the right direction?

Width is the property of columns, not cells, so you can't have widths
that vary from top to bottom.

Do you really need different widths, or can us leave column(s) blank to
give visually different widths (i.e., turning off grid lines).

You *could* merge cells in one or both regions to make the merged cells
appear to be columns with different widths.

However, merged cells are the spawn of the devil and often cause more
problems than they're worth.

 

[roneal]

Thank you for your prompt reply. I know I've done something like this before; I just don't know
how I did it. If you are familiar with the sheets doctors use to fill out insurance and billing codes,
that's what I'm trying to accomplish. The procedures and other service info is at the top of the page,
and the billing codes and check boxes are on the bottom two thirds or so.

Is there no way to do this with "freeze panes", "page break" (and make the two pages print on one
somehow),or the "split" feature?

I don't even remember doing it last time, but the office manager insisted I accomplished this in the
the past, so she's counting on me to do it again...

Oh, and I thought of merging the cells, but the widths above don't line up with what I need below.

Thanks again for your help.

 

[Mike Middleton]

roneal -

Instead of using Excel, maybe you could use a table in Word (where you will
be able to change the width of individual cells).

- Mike Middleton
http://www.DecisionToolworks.com
Decision Analysis Add-ins for Excel

 

[Bob Greenblatt]

You can't do this directly. Widths apply to entire columns. However, you CAN
create a page to print exactly like this. In one section of the worksheet,
format the columns for the width you need for the top of the form. Fill in
any data needed. In another section of the worksheet, say way off to the
right, arrange the columns to the different widths you need and put any
needed data here. Then use the camera tool to "take a picture" of this area,
and place the picture below the stuff for the top of the sheet, format the
picture to have no border. Make sure the print area is set to include the
whole sheet area containing the top of the form and the area containing the
picture.

 

[Todd Aton]

One thing you could try that our Japanese customers do quite frequently is
to use the Graph Paper templates.

1. Select File->Project Gallery...
2. In the Category list select Home Essentials->Graph Paper.
3. Choose one of the workbook templates with a grid size you like
(maybe "Plain Small Grid").
4. Place the text where you want on the sheet.
5. Use borders to put lines on the page where you want them.

I may be oversimplifying but it's one way to put things on top of a sheet at
different widths than below. Use the grid for alignment instead of trying to
make the grid conform.

Todd Aton
Macintosh Business Unit
Microsoft Corporation

Microsoft makes no warranties, express, implied or statutory, as to the
information in this post.