How to edit A Column In Excel
Excel 2010: Modifying Cells, Rows, and Columns
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When you open a new blank workbook, cells are set to a default size. However, as seen
here, you may want to go beyond the default size depending on the type of spreadsheet
you're working on.
This column has been resized, for example, but not quite enough - a couple addresses
are still getting cut off. I'm just going to increase the column width a little by positioning
my mouse over the line in the column heading, then clicking and dragging it to the right.
You can get even more precise results with the Format command. Choose Column Width to
change the column to a specific measurement. The width is measured in pixels.
Another option is to AutoFit the column, which will automatically adjust the column so it
fits the contents of the cells exactly. Just go to Format, AutoFit Column Width. Now the
column is perfectly sized to the text.
Rows work the same way. You can click and drag the line to adjust the height manually…
or use the Format command to AutoFit, or specify the height.
Now I need to add another name to this contact list. I'd like to put it in between rows 3
and 4. To insert a new row, all you have to do is select the row below where you want
the new one to appear. Now click the Insert command. Your row appears along with the Insert
Options button, which lets you choose the formatting for your new cells. I'm going to
keep the default, which is the same formatting as the row above.
The process is similar for inserting a new column. Just select the column to the right
of where you want the new one to go. Click the Insert command, and the new column will
appear to the left.
Always make sure you select the entire row or column (by clicking the heading) when you're
getting ready to insert a new one. Otherwise, you'll only insert a cell.
This is also a good rule to remember for deleting columns and rows. You'll want to make your
entire selection, then click the Delete command.
Now let's take a look at wrapping text, which is one way of addressing cells that contain
more text than they can actually display. For example, I'd like to resize my column
of addresses to about half its current size, but still be able to see the contents. The
Wrap Text command can help by displaying the text on multiple lines. Just click, and the
text and the rows adjust automatically.
Now for the finishing touch - combining the cells in the top row of my spreadsheet, so
the title can be centered in a single large cell. To do this, select the cells you want
to merge together, then click the Merge & Center command. There - that's perfect.
To access more merge options, open the drop-down menu here. You can merge your cells across,
creating merged rows instead of a single large cell, if you have multiple cells selected.
You can also merge without centering, or split your cells up again.
The best way to learn about merging cells, wrapping text, and inserting and deleting
columns and rows, is to practice. So give it a try with your own Excel spreadsheet,
and have fun!
