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Formatting Cells to Match Data Types

Adjusting Column and Row Widths Using AutoFit

Changing the Width of a Single Column

Changing the Height of a Row

Using Text Wrapping

Merging Cells

Merge and Center

Changing Text Orientation

Currency and Percent Formatting

Adding Colour to Your Worksheet

Adding Borders to Your Cells

Using AutoFormat

Formatting Text

Justifying Text

Adjusting Column and Row Widths Using AutoFit

After entering a large amount of data you may notice that some of your data may not fit properly in your cells.                                

There is a simple way of fixing everything all at once.

1. Click the Select All button at the top left hand corner of the page.
2. Click Format on the menu bar navigate to Column and then select AutoFit Selection.
3. As you can see the column widths have been changed to fit the longest data entry for each cell.

Changing the Width of a Single Column

In the example above we changed all of the columns and rows at the same time.  You may find that some of the column or rows are now too big.  To change the width of a single column do this:

1. Place your cursor on the border of the column heading you want to change and the column next to it.  The cursor will change shape to let you know it is in the right place.
2. Double click on the column border to automatically make the text fit into the column.

*You may have noticed in the above example that the "Auto Sales From Canon's Car Carnival" title has not been decreased in size.  Because there is nothing in cell B11 the large data entry in A11 can overflow over top of cell B11.

Changing the Height of a Row

1. Place your cursor on the bottom border of the row heading you want to change.
2. Click hold and drag the row heading until the desired height is achieved.

Using Text Wrapping

Sometimes you may want to keep your column widths quite small but still fit a large data entry into a cell.  To do this:

1. Increase the height of the cell.  See Changing the Height of a Row if you do not know how to do this.                                                                            
2. Click on the cell you are working then open the Format menu and click on Cells.
3. Click on the Alignment Tab and tick the Wrap Text box.
4. Text should now wrap around inside the cell.

Merging Cells

If you want to create one cell from several cells then follow these instructions.

1. Select the cells you are working with.
2. Open the Format Menu and select Cells.                                                    
3. Click on the Alignment Tab then tick the Merge Cells box.                
4. All the selected cells will be merged into one large cell.            

Merge and Center

If you want to merge a group of cells together and center the data in it then do this:

1. Select the cells you want to merge.                                                          
2. Click the merge and center button on the formatting toolbar.             

Changing Text Orientation

There are times when you will want to change the direction your text faces.  For example:                                    In order to do this complete these steps:

1. Select the cell with the text you will be working with.
2. Open the Format Menu and select Cells.                                                
3. Use the arrow keys beside the to change the number of degrees of incline or decline at which your text will sit.  The window above the Degrees box will give you an idea of what your text will look like.                                                                                                                      
4. Your text will now be orientated in whatever direction you chose.

Currency and Percent Formatting

If you want to add currency symbols or percent symbols to a column or row then do this:

1. Select the row you are working with.                                                              
2. Click on the Currency or Percent Button on the Formatting Toolbar.
3. The numerical data in your column will now have a currency or percent symbol next to it.

Adding Colour to Your Worksheet

It is often useful to add colour to a worksheet to set different sets of data apart. 

To do this follow these steps:

1. Select the cells you wish to add colour to.                            
2. Click the drop down arrow by the Background Fill Button on the Formatting Toolbar.     
3. Select the colour you wish to use.                                                      
4. Your cells will now have a new background colour.                         

Adding Borders to Your Cells

To add a border around your cells follow these instructions:

1. Highlight the cells you want to add a border to.                                             
2. Right-click on the highlighted cells then select Format Cells.                     
3. Click on the borders tab on the dialogue box which pops up.                  
4. Select the type of border you want from the presets, select a line style from the style section, and select a colour for your border from the colour menu.

Using AutoFormat

Excel can provide you with several formats which will be applied to your worksheets automatically.  If you want to use AutoFormat follow these instructions:

1. Click any cell on your worksheet.
2. Open the Format Menu and click on AutoFormat.
3. Choose the type of AutoFormat you want.                               
4. The AutoFormat will be applied to your Excel worksheet.

Formatting Text

If you want to change the font, font size, or colour of the data in your cells then do this.

1. Click on the cell you wish to format.   Do not highlight the data in the cell.
2. Format the text just as you would in Microsoft Word.

Justifying Text

If you want to justify your text; i.e. align right, align left, or center your text then do this,

1. Click on the cell you wish to justify.
2. Click whichever justify button you want.