Adjust the Spacing and Alignment of Data

To help distinguish different types of information in cells, adjust the alignment of cell contents using the alignment buttons. You can insert rows and columns to set data or labels apart by using the Rows and Columns commands (Insert menu). Adjust the width and height of rows and columns by dragging or double-clicking the line to the right of the column letter or below the row number in the header.

Look at your work from a different angle   You can rotate cell contents as much as 90 degrees up or down. Select the cell, and then click Cells (Format menu). On the Alignment tab, select the orientation you want. Shrink cells to fit   The Shrink to fit option adjusts the font size in selected cells so that all cell contents are displayed without changing the column width. Click Cells. On the Alignment tab, select the Shrink to fit check box. Decrease Indent button Increase Indent button Indent within cells   by clicking the indent buttons.

Merge Cells Across Columns

You can easily merge headings across the top of a range of cells. Type the title in the leftmost cell in the range, select the range, and then click the Merge and Center button. This simultaneously merges the cells and centers the heading in the new, wider cell. You can merge any range of cells by clicking Cells (Format menu), and then selecting the Merge cells check box on the Alignment tab.

Merged cells are useful when creating forms or solving special formatting problems. When you merge cells, selected cells are combined into one cell. The resulting cell takes the cell reference of the cell in the upper-left corner of the merged range.

To “un-merge” selected cells, clear the Merge cells check box.

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