Excel: Printing and Displaying Text Across Rows

ID: Q88576

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 3.0, 4.0, 4.0a, 5.0
Microsoft Excel for OS/2, version 3.0
Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 3.0, 4.0

SUMMARY

If a text string typed in a cell is too long to fit into a cell, Microsoft Excel extends the text across multiple cells. In Microsoft Excel version 3.0, there is no way to rotate the text vertically in a cell. While it is possible to rotate text vertically in Microsoft Excel version 4.0 and later, the text does not display and print across multiple rows. Instead, the row height expands to accommodate the entire text string.

MORE INFORMATION

To be able to display and print text across multiple rows in both Microsoft Excel versions 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0, use a text box. You can do this by following the steps below:

Choose the text box tool and create a text box on your sheet.

Type a line of text into the box.

Select Text from the Format menu. Choose one of the vertical text options and choose the automatic size option.

Select Patterns from the Format menu and change both the border and fill to None.

The text is now oriented vertically and appears to be spanning multiple cells.

REFERENCES

"User's Guide 1," version 4.0, page 282

Additional query words: 3.0


Keywords          : 
Version           : 
Platform          : 
Issue type        :

Last Reviewed: March 26, 1999