The simplest way to change row height

To make a row taller or shorter in Excel, position your cursor on the line between two row numbers on the left side of the spreadsheet until it turns into a double-headed arrow, then drag up or down. This is the fastest method and works the same way in Excel on Windows, Mac, or the web version.

The row number area is the gray column on the far left that shows 1, 2, 3, and so on. When you move your cursor to the border between any two row numbers, Excel recognizes you want to resize and changes the cursor shape. Drag to the height you want, then release. The change applies when ready to that single row.

If you need to adjust multiple rows at once, select them first by clicking the first row number, holding Shift, and clicking the last row number you want to change. Then drag the border between any of the selected row numbers, and all of them will resize together to the same height.

Key Takeaways

  • Drag the border between row numbers on the left side of the spreadsheet to resize a single row without opening any menus.
  • Select multiple rows by clicking the first row number, holding Shift, and clicking the last row number, then drag to resize them all at once.
  • Double-click the border between row numbers to auto-fit the height to whatever content is in that row.
  • Use the Format menu if you want to set an exact height in inches or centimeters instead of dragging by eye.
  • Row height changes affect only the rows you select and do not change the content of the cells themselves.

Auto-fitting row height to your content

If you have text that wraps to multiple lines within a cell, you can make Excel automatically set the row height to fit all the text. Double-click the border between the row numbers for the row that contains the wrapped text. Excel measures the tallest cell in that row and adjusts the height so nothing gets cut off.

This is especially useful when you have turned on text wrapping and want the row to expand without having to guess the right height. The auto-fit feature looks at the actual content, the font size, and the column width, then calculates the minimum height needed.

If you select multiple rows and double-click the border, Excel auto-fits each selected row individually based on what is in that row. This means rows may end up different heights from each other, which is usually what you want when content varies.

Setting an exact row height using the Format menu

When you need a specific height rather than dragging by eye, use the Format menu. Right-click on the row number you want to change, and a menu appears. Click Row Height, and a small box opens where you can type a number.

Excel measures row height in points by default (there are 72 points in one inch). If you want to set a row to half an inch tall, type 36. The box accepts decimals, so you can be precise: 18.5 points is about a quarter inch.

To change the unit of measurement, look in the Excel settings under Display Options. You can switch to inches or centimeters if that is easier for you to work with. Once you change the unit, all row height numbers you type will use that measurement instead.

Why row height matters for readability

Taller rows make spreadsheets easier to read, especially when you are looking at data on a screen for a long time. More space between rows reduces eye strain and makes it simpler to follow a line of data across the page without losing your place.

Headers often benefit from extra height because they stand out more and are easier to scan. If your spreadsheet has a title row or column headers, making that row taller can improve the whole document's usability without changing any of the actual data.

Shorter rows save space on the page and let you see more data at once, which is useful when you are printing or comparing many rows side by side. The right height depends on your content and how you plan to use the spreadsheet.

Resetting rows to the default height

If you have adjusted row heights and want to start over, select the rows you changed, right-click, and choose Row Height. Excel's default height is 15 points. Type 15 and click OK, and those rows return to standard size.

Alternatively, select all rows by clicking the box in the top-left corner where the row numbers and column letters meet, then right-click and set the height to 15. This resets every row in the spreadsheet at once.

If you only want to reset some rows, select just those rows before right-clicking. Rows you do not select keep whatever height you gave them previously.

Hiding and unhiding rows without deleting them

Sometimes you want to remove a row from view temporarily without deleting it. Right-click the row number and select Hide. The row disappears from the spreadsheet, but the data stays in the file and the row number skips (you might see rows 5, 6, 8, 9 if row 7 is hidden).

To unhide a row, select the rows on either side of the hidden one, right-click, and choose Unhide. The hidden row reappears between them. This is different from adjusting height because the row is not visible at all, not just made very short.

Hiding is useful when you have reference data or calculations you need in the file but do not want to see while you work. It keeps the spreadsheet cleaner without losing information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make one row much taller than the others?

Yes. Select that row, drag its border, or use the Format menu to set a specific height. Other rows keep their original height. This is common for title rows or sections that need visual separation.

What happens to my data if I make a row shorter?

The data stays in the cell. If the text is too long to fit in the shorter row, it gets hidden from view, but it is still there. If you make the row taller again, the text reappears. Changing row height never deletes or changes the actual content.

Does row height affect printing?

Yes. The row heights you set in Excel carry over to the printed page. If you make rows very tall, your spreadsheet will take up more pages when printed. Adjust heights before printing if you want to control how many pages the document uses.

Can I set different heights for different sections of the spreadsheet?

Yes. Select each section separately and adjust its height independently. You might make a header row tall, keep data rows at standard height, and make a summary row at the bottom taller for emphasis. Each row can have its own height.

What if I accidentally made a row too short and cannot see the border to drag it back?

Select that row by clicking its row number, right-click, and choose Row Height. Type a larger number like 30 or 40 and click OK. The row expands and you can see the content again. Then you can adjust it to the height you actually want.