Change line spacing in Excel by adjusting row height or using the Format menu

Excel does not have a built-in line spacing tool the way Word does. Instead, you control spacing between lines of text within a cell by increasing the row height, or you can add space between rows by making them taller. If your text wraps across multiple lines inside a single cell, raising the row height spreads those lines apart. If you want space between separate rows of data, you increase the height of the rows themselves.

The fastest method is to select the rows you want to adjust, then drag the row border upward or downward to make them taller. For more precise control, you can use the Format menu to set an exact height in points or centimetres.

Key Takeaways

  • Row height in Excel controls spacing between wrapped lines within a cell and also the distance between rows of data.
  • You can drag the border between row numbers to resize rows by eye, or use Format > Row > Height for exact measurements.
  • Double-clicking the row border auto-fits the height to the tallest content in that row.
  • Merged cells and wrapped text interact with row height, so test your layout before finalizing it.

Drag the row border to adjust height by eye

The simplest way to add space is to position your cursor on the border between two row numbers on the left side of the sheet. The cursor will change to a resize arrow (a line with arrows pointing up and down). Click and drag downward to make the row taller, or upward to make it shorter.

This method works when ready and requires no menu navigation. You can see the change as you drag. If you want to adjust multiple rows at once, select all the rows you want to change first (click the first row number, hold Shift, and click the last row number), then drag any border between the selected rows.

Use the Format menu for exact row height

If you need a precise measurement, select the rows you want to adjust. Then go to the Home tab, click Format (in the Cells group), and select Row Height. A dialog box will open where you can type a number. Excel measures row height in points by default (72 points equals one inch), though some versions let you choose centimetres or inches from a dropdown.

This method is useful when you are building a template and need consistent spacing across multiple sheets, or when you are matching a specific layout requirement. After you enter the height and click OK, all selected rows will be set to that exact size.

Auto-fit row height to content

If you have text that wraps across multiple lines within cells and you want Excel to automatically space the rows to fit all the text, double-click the border between row numbers. Excel will measure the tallest content in that row and expand the row height to show it all without cutting anything off.

To auto-fit multiple rows at once, select them all, then go to Home > Format > Row Height > AutoFit Row Height. This is faster than manually dragging and ensures no text gets hidden.

Adjust spacing between specific rows

If you want to add blank space between two rows of data (not just make the rows taller), insert a new blank row between them. Right-click the row number where you want the blank row to appear, select Insert, and a new row will be added. You can then adjust the height of that blank row to create the spacing you want.

This approach keeps your data organized and makes it straightforward to add or remove spacing later without affecting the content rows themselves. You can also hide rows if you want to remove them temporarily without deleting them.

Work with wrapped text and merged cells

When text wraps inside a cell, increasing row height spreads the wrapped lines apart. If you have merged cells (cells combined across multiple columns), the row height applies to the entire merged area. Test your layout by typing sample text, wrapping it, and adjusting the row height to see how it looks.

If you merge cells and then adjust row height, the height applies to all rows that the merged cell spans. Unmerging cells will not automatically restore their original heights, so keep track of your original settings if you plan to unmerge later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set different line spacing for different cells in the same row?

No. Row height applies to the entire row at once. If you need different spacing for different cells, you must put them in separate rows and adjust each row's height individually.

Does Excel have a line spacing option like Word's 1.5 or double spacing?

Excel does not have preset line spacing percentages. You control spacing by adjusting row height in points or centimetres. A standard row is about 15 points; you can increase it to 20, 25, or higher depending on how much space you want.

What happens to row height when I copy and paste cells?

Row height does not copy by default. When you paste cells into a new location, the destination rows keep their original height. If you want to copy the height too, use Paste Special and check the option for formatting.

How do I reset row height to the default?

Select the rows, go to Home > Format > Row Height, and type 15 (the default height in points). Or right-click the row numbers and select Row Height, then enter 15.

Can I set a minimum row height so text does not get cut off?

Excel does not have a minimum height setting. Use AutoFit Row Height instead, which measures your content and sets the height automatically to fit everything.