The quickest way to change row height

To change a single row's height, click the row number on the left side to select the entire row, then right-click and choose Row Height. Type the number you want (measured in points, where 72 points equals one inch) and click OK. Excel will resize that row when ready.

If you want to see the exact height before you commit, you can also position your cursor on the border between two row numbers at the left edge of the screen until it turns into a resize cursor (a line with arrows pointing up and down), then drag up or down to the height you want. This method lets you adjust by eye without typing a number.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click a row number and select Row Height to type in an exact measurement in points.
  • Drag the border between row numbers at the left edge to resize by eye without entering a number.
  • Double-click that same border to auto-fit the row to whatever content is inside it.
  • Select multiple rows at once by clicking the first row number, holding Shift, and clicking the last row number, then resize them all together.
  • Row height is measured in points (72 points = 1 inch), and the default is usually 15 points.

Resizing multiple rows at the same time

If you need to change the height of several rows that are next to each other, select them first. Click the row number of the first row you want to change, then hold Shift and click the row number of the last row. All the rows in between will highlight in blue.

Once they are selected, right-click any of the highlighted row numbers and choose Row Height. Enter your measurement and click OK. Every selected row will change to that height at once. This saves time when you are formatting a section of your spreadsheet that needs to be taller or shorter than the rest.

Auto-fitting row height to your content

Excel can measure your content and adjust the row height automatically so nothing gets cut off. Position your cursor on the border between two row numbers at the left edge until you see the resize cursor, then double-click. The row above that border will when ready resize to fit whatever text or numbers are in it.

If you want to auto-fit multiple rows, select them first (using the method described above), then right-click and choose Row Height. Instead of typing a number, look for the option that says Optimal Height or AutoFit depending on your version of Excel. Click that button and the rows will adjust themselves.

Understanding row height measurements

Row height in Excel is measured in points, not inches or centimeters. One point equals 1/72 of an inch, so 72 points equals one full inch. The default row height in most Excel spreadsheets is 15 points, which is roughly 0.2 inches or about 5 millimeters.

When you type a number into the Row Height box, you are entering points. If you want a row to be half an inch tall, you would enter 36 points (since 72 ÷ 2 = 36). If you want it to be one inch, enter 72. This system stays the same whether you are using Excel on Windows or Mac.

What to do if a row seems stuck at one height

Sometimes a row will not resize the way you expect. The most common reason is that Excel has hidden rows between the ones you can see. If you select a row and try to make it taller but it does not change, right-click the row number and look for an option that says Unhide. If that option appears, click it to reveal any rows that were hidden.

Another reason a row might not resize is if the entire sheet is locked or protected. If you see a padlock icon next to the sheet name at the bottom of the screen, the sheet is protected and you cannot change row height until you unlock it. Right-click the sheet name and choose Unprotect Sheet (you may need to enter a password if one was set).

Resizing rows in a table or filtered data

If your data is inside an Excel table (created with the Format as Table option), you can still change row height the same way — right-click the row number and choose Row Height. Tables do not prevent you from resizing rows.

When you have filtered data and only certain rows are showing, changing row height will affect all rows in that column, including the hidden ones. If you want to resize only the visible rows, you will need to select them individually or remove the filter first, make your changes, then reapply the filter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set a minimum or maximum row height?

Excel does not have a built-in minimum or maximum row height setting. You can set any height you want by typing a number into the Row Height box, but there is no way to lock rows so they cannot go below or above a certain size. If you want to prevent accidental resizing, you can protect the sheet.

What is the largest row height I can set?

Excel allows row heights up to 409 points (about 5.7 inches). If you try to enter a larger number, Excel will reject it and ask you to enter a smaller value. For most spreadsheets, the default or slightly larger heights work fine.

Does changing row height affect the print size of my spreadsheet?

Yes. When you print your spreadsheet, the rows will print at the same height you set on screen. If you make rows very tall, your printed pages will have fewer rows per page. Adjust row height before printing if you want to control how much data fits on each printed page.

How do I make all rows in my spreadsheet the same height?

Click the box in the top-left corner (where the row numbers and column letters meet) to select every cell in the sheet. Then right-click any row number and choose Row Height. Enter the height you want and click OK. Every row in the spreadsheet will change to that height.

Can I undo a row height change?

Yes. Press Ctrl+Z (or Cmd+Z on Mac) when ready after you change the row height, and Excel will undo the change. If you made other changes after resizing the row, undoing will reverse all of those changes too, so undo right away if you made a mistake.