The fastest way to change row height

To change the height of a row in Excel, position your cursor on the border between two row numbers on the left side of the sheet. The cursor will turn into a resize arrow — a double-headed line pointing up and down. Click and drag upward to make the row shorter or downward to make it taller. Release the mouse when the row reaches the height you want.

This method works in Excel on Windows, Mac, and in the web version. You can adjust one row at a time, or select multiple rows first and drag to resize them all together.

Key Takeaways

  • Double-click the border between row numbers to auto-fit the row height to whatever content is inside it.
  • Right-click a row number and select Row Height to type in an exact measurement in inches or centimeters.
  • Select multiple rows by clicking the first row number, holding Shift, and clicking the last row number you want to resize.
  • The Format menu in Excel also contains row height options if you prefer not to use the right-click menu.

Auto-fitting row height to your content

If you want Excel to automatically adjust row height based on what you have typed into the cells, double-click the border between the two row numbers instead of dragging. Excel will measure the tallest content in that row and expand the row just enough to fit it.

This is useful when you have wrapped text or multiple lines in a cell and you do not want to guess at the right height. The row will shrink back down if you later delete or shorten the content.

Setting an exact row height with numbers

For precise control, right-click on the row number you want to change. A menu will appear with several options. Click on Row Height and a small dialog box will open where you can type in a specific measurement.

Excel measures row height in points by default (there are 72 points in one inch). If you type 30, the row will be about 0.4 inches tall. You can also change the measurement unit in Excel settings if you prefer inches or centimeters, though most users leave it in points.

Resizing multiple rows at once

To change the height of several rows to the same size, click on the first row number, then hold Shift and click on the last row number in the range you want to resize. All rows between them will be highlighted in blue.

Now drag the border between any two of the selected row numbers, or right-click and choose Row Height to set them all to the same measurement. This saves time when you need to make several rows taller or shorter together.

Using the Format menu instead of right-click

If the right-click menu does not appear or you prefer menu navigation, click on the Format menu at the top of Excel. Look for an option labeled Row or Row Height depending on your version. Click it and the same dialog box will open where you can type in your desired height.

This route works the same way whether you have selected one row or multiple rows. The Format menu also contains an option called AutoFit Row Height, which does the same thing as double-clicking the border.

Resetting rows back to default height

Excel's default row height is usually 15 points. If you have changed a row and want to return it to the standard size, right-click the row number and select Row Height. Type 15 and click OK.

Alternatively, you can select the row and go to Format > Row > Standard Height, which will reset it without opening a dialog. This works in most versions of Excel, though the exact menu path may vary slightly.

Why your row height might not change

If you try to drag the row border and nothing happens, the row may be locked as part of a protected sheet. Check the Format menu — if Row Height is grayed out, the sheet protection is preventing changes. You or the sheet owner will need to unprotect the sheet first.

Another reason dragging might not work is if you are not positioned exactly on the border between row numbers. Move your cursor slowly along the line between two rows until you see the resize arrow appear. If you see a regular arrow instead, you are not quite on the border yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set different heights for different rows at the same time?

No — when you select multiple rows and resize them, they all become the same height. To set different heights, change one row or group of rows at a time. Select the first set of rows, resize them, then select the next set and resize those separately.

What is the difference between row height and auto-fit?

Row height is the measurement you set manually. Auto-fit reads the content in the cells and sets the height automatically so nothing gets cut off. Auto-fit is faster if you have wrapped text or tall content, but manual height gives you exact control.

Does changing row height affect the data in the cells?

No. Changing row height only changes how much space the row takes up on the screen and in print. The actual data stays the same. If a cell contains more text than fits in the row height, the text will be hidden unless you have turned on text wrapping.

How do I make all rows the same height at once?

Click the select-all button (the small square in the top-left corner where the row numbers and column letters meet) to highlight the entire sheet. Then drag any row border, right-click and choose Row Height, or use Format > Row Height. All rows will change to the same size.

Can I undo a row height change?

Yes. Press Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Command+Z (Mac) when ready after you change the height. This will undo the last action. If you have made other changes since then, undo will reverse those too, so use it right away if you made a mistake.