ShortcutdrillExcel shortcuts / formatting / Autofit the column width
Autofit the column width in Excel: Alt, H, O, I (Windows only)
| Windows | Alt, H, O, I |
|---|---|
| Mac | No key sequence. Excel for Mac has no ribbon key tips; use the menu or the nearest shortcut noted below. |
| Group | formatting |
Drill: Autofit the column. Free, no sign-up.
What it does and when to use it
Alt opens the ribbon key tips, H is Home, O is Format, I is AutoFit Column Width. Pressed in sequence it fits the selected columns to their contents. Alt, H, O, A does the same for row height.
The common mistake
Autofitting a column that contains one very long note, which makes it enormous. Wrap the note instead (Alt, H, W).
On a Mac
Excel for Mac does not show key tips when you press Option, so this ribbon sequence has no direct equivalent. The same command is in the menu bar, and many of the menus accept the keyboard once open. If you work on a Mac but your team is on Windows, learn the sequence anyway: it is what you will need on a Windows machine, and the Shortcutdrill sheet accepts Option in place of Alt so you can practice it.
Related shortcuts
- Bold the selection Ctrl+B
- Italic Ctrl+I
- Underline Ctrl+U
- Format as currency Ctrl+Shift+4
- Thousands separators and two decimals Ctrl+Shift+1
- The printable cheat sheet
Questions
How do I autofit on a Mac?
Excel for Mac has no key tips. Double-click the column border, or use Format, Column, AutoFit Selection from the menu.
Can I autofit the whole sheet?
Ctrl+A twice to select the sheet, then Alt, H, O, I.
Learn it by pressing it
Shortcutdrill gives you a task on a live sheet and a limit on key presses, so the shortcut has to become a reflex. Twenty-five drills are free; Pro unlocks all 80 for $9 a month, $29 a year, or $49 once.
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