How to Make All the Rows the Same Height in Excel

To make all the rows the same height in Excel, select the rows (or the whole sheet), right-click a row number, choose Row Height, enter a value and click OK. Rows grow when you wrap text, change fonts or paste from another source, and uneven heights make a spreadsheet look messy and harder to print. You can also fit each row to its contents instead.

This guide shows you how to set a uniform row height, use the drag method, AutoFit rows, work in inches or centimeters, and fix rows that won’t resize.

How to Make All Rows the Same Height in Excel

Step 1: Select the rows

To change every row on the sheet, click the Select All button (the triangle where the row numbers and column letters meet), or press Ctrl + A twice. To change only some rows, click the first row number and drag down, or Shift-click the last row number.

Step 2: Open the Row Height box

Right-click any selected row number and choose Row Height. You can also go to Home > Format > Row Height.

Step 3: Enter a height

Type a value in points, such as 20. Row height can be anything from 0 to 409 points. For reference, 72 points equal one inch.

Step 4: Click OK

Every selected row changes to exactly that height. All the sizing options are listed in Microsoft’s guide to changing column width and row height.

Resize Rows by Dragging

If you’d rather eyeball it, select the rows, then drag the bottom border of any selected row number up or down. Excel shows the height in points and pixels as you drag, and every selected row ends up the same size when you let go.

AutoFit Rows to Their Contents

Sometimes you want each row just tall enough for its text instead of one fixed height. Select the rows and choose Home > Format > AutoFit Row Height, or double-click the bottom border of any selected row number. Rows with wrapped text grow to show every line, and empty rows shrink back to the standard height.

For columns, the matching tool is AutoFit Column Width. Both are covered in making Excel cells expand to fit text automatically.

Set Row Height in Inches or Centimeters

In the normal view, Excel only accepts points. To work in inches or centimeters, switch to View > Page Layout. Now the Row Height box uses the ruler units, which you can change under File > Options > Advanced > Display > Ruler units. This is handy when you’re designing a printed form or labels with exact dimensions. Switch back to View > Normal when you’re done.

Make Columns the Same Width Too

Select the columns, right-click a column letter and choose Column Width, then enter a value. Column width is measured in characters of the default font rather than points. To set the width for every column you haven’t changed yet, use Home > Format > Default Width.

Change the Default Row Height

Excel doesn’t have a direct setting for default row height. It’s based on the default font. To change it for new rows in a workbook, go to Home > Cell Styles, right-click Normal, choose Modify > Format > Font and pick a different size. Larger fonts give taller default rows.

Troubleshooting

• The row height won’t change. The sheet may be protected with row formatting locked. Unprotect it on the Review tab.
• AutoFit doesn’t work on some rows. AutoFit ignores merged cells. Unmerge them, or set those rows manually. It also skips rows you’ve already resized by hand until you AutoFit them again.
• Text is cut off after setting a height. The height you chose is too small for wrapped text. Increase it or use AutoFit.
• Some rows seem to disappear. A height of 0 hides the row. Select the rows around it, right-click and choose Unhide. To bring back everything at once, unhide all rows and columns in Excel.
• Rows look different when printed. Printer scaling can change apparent heights. Check File > Print and set scaling to 100% if exact sizes matter.

Tips

• Use a height of about 20 to 25 points for easy-to-read tables with some breathing room.
• Apply the same row height before adding borders so printed tables look even.
• Copy row heights between sheets with Format Painter: select whole rows as the source, click Format Painter, then click the destination row numbers.
• Keep header rows taller than data rows to make them stand out.

Frequently Asked Questions

What unit does Excel use for row height?

Points. One point is 1/72 of an inch. Excel also shows the equivalent in pixels when you drag a border.

What is the default row height?

It depends on the default font and size. With Excel’s standard font at size 11, rows are around 15 points tall.

Can I make rows the same height automatically?

Yes. Select the rows and use AutoFit to fit their content, or set one exact height for all of them with Row Height.

How do I select rows that aren’t next to each other?

Hold Ctrl while clicking each row number, then set the height once for all of them.

Does this work on a Mac?

Yes. Select the rows, then go to Format > Row > Height in the menu bar, or right-click a row number and choose Row Height.

Wrapping Up

Select the rows (or the whole sheet), right-click a row number, choose Row Height and enter a value. Use AutoFit when you want rows sized to their content, and switch to Page Layout view if you need inches or centimeters.

Related: how to insert a blank row in Excel.