Excel's default row and column dimensions might not suffice when working with extensive data entries, such as addresses or lengthy descriptions, leading to spillover into neighboring cells.

To ensure all your data is clearly visible without manually adjusting each cell, Excel offers the AutoFit feature, which automatically resizes columns and rows to fit the content. This guide explains how to use AutoFit to adjust columns and rows in Excel.

Autofitting Rows and Columns Using the Excel Ribbon

Step 1: Begin by selecting the columns you wish to adjust. Click on the column headers to highlight them. For example, if columns B and C contain data that overflows, select both columns by clicking and dragging over their headers.

Step 2: Navigate to the Home tab on the Excel ribbon. In the Cells group, click on the Format button. From the dropdown menu, select Autofit Column Width.

Step 3: The selected columns will now automatically adjust their widths to fit the content within, ensuring all data is visible.

You can also use a keyboard shortcut to access the Autofit Column Width option. With the columns selected, press Alt + H, then O, followed by I.

To adjust row heights using the Ribbon, select the rows that need adjustment. Then, go to the Home tab, click on the Format button in the Cells group, and choose Autofit Row Height from the dropdown.

You can also use a keyboard shortcut for this action. With the desired rows selected, press Alt + H, then O, and finally A to autofit the row heights.

Autofitting Rows and Columns Using Mouse Double-Click

Consider a dataset where the content in a column extends beyond the cell boundary, spilling over into adjacent cells.

Step 1: To autofit a single column, such as column B, move your cursor to the right edge of the column header until it changes to a double-sided arrow.

Step 2: Double-click the column border. Excel will automatically adjust the column width to fit the longest cell content in that column.

Step 3: To autofit a single row, place your cursor on the bottom edge of the row header until it turns into a double-sided arrow. Then double-click the border.

Autofitting Multiple Rows and Columns

To autofit several columns at once, select all the columns you want to adjust by clicking and dragging across their headers. For non-adjacent columns, hold the CTRL key while clicking on each column header. For example, to autofit columns B and C, select them both.

Step 1: After selecting the desired columns, move your cursor to the right edge of any selected column header until it becomes a double-sided arrow.

Step 2: Double-click the column border. Excel will adjust all selected columns to fit their contents.

Similarly, to autofit multiple rows, select all the rows you wish to adjust. Then, place the cursor on the bottom edge of any selected row header until it changes to a double-sided arrow, and double-click. All selected rows will adjust their heights to fit the content.

With the AutoFit feature, adjusting the size of your cells to fit their content becomes a quick and effortless task, enhancing the readability of your Excel worksheets.