Typing 2 lines of text in one cell/row (Excel 2000/SR1)

Topic

New Reply

Can someone please tell me how to create 2 or more lines of text within one cell (or within 1 row). I am listing some items which demand longer descriptions than other items, and I want to go to a new line within the same row/cell, rather than having the line of text stretch way across the page. I am sure there must be some simple way to wrap the text, choosing to indent to a new line at an appropriate point, but the wrap function won’t allow me to indent at the place I choose. Excuse me for my terminological ignorance – hope you can understand what I’m asking!

Reply | Quote

Replies

I dont know if this is what you are after but try this:

* Enter your text string into the desired cell
* In the formula bar, position the insertion point where you want the line to break
* Delete the space between the words
* Press and hold the Alt key, then press the Enter key

Brent

Reply | Quote

You have to do two things:

1- Select the cell and then select Cell from the Format menu, click on the Alignment tab and put a check next to “Wrap text” in the “Text control” section.

2- When you are entering the text into the cell, use Alt+Enter to control where you want the lines to break.

Reply | Quote

Thanks a lot for your replies, folks, but after following your directions, I’ve still got a problem. Although I am able to break the text and go to a second line within the formula bar, only the first word appears in the actual cell (A117). Please see attached snapshot. Any further suggestions, please?

Reply | Quote

Now that you’ve got text on two rows in the same cell, you need to change the cell’s height (eg by Format/Rows/Autofit. Be aware though, that with so much text in the once cell, it will end up having to be very tall unless you widen it a fair bit.

Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]

Reply | Quote

Thanks, macropod, but I don’t want a tall cell. Maybe I am talking merging cells? Please see snapshot#2, which shows how I want text to appear, except that I want lines 17 and 18 to be 2 lines within one cell, and likewise lines 19 and 20. There must be some simple way to do this that is eluding me?

Reply | Quote

If you make column A much wider (about as wide as columns A to I combined in your snapshot), the text should fit in 2 lines. You can then remove columns B-I, or move the contents of column J etc. to the left.

Reply | Quote

I concur with HansV – it looks like you’re not using columns B:H (and maybe I too), so why not delete them and widen column A. Then you can wrap the text in that column if needed, bearing in mind that if you do, the wrapped rows will still need to be at least two lines tall. If you do need those other columns, then you’ll need to use ‘merge cells’ for the rows you want to wrap text on, again with an increase in the row height.

Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]

Reply | Quote

Hi macropod and HansV. Guess what – I concur with you both! I knew there was a simple solution and you have opened my eyes to it. Thank you both so much for taking the time and effort to help me out (in fact, thanks to all who assisted). Cheers!

Reply | Quote