When Excel AutoFit row height is not working, long text stays hidden even after you run the command. The fix is one of a few clear actions: wrap the text, leave Edit mode, remove merged cells, unhide rows, allow row formatting, or set the height yourself. Start with the fastest row-height controls, then remove the blockers that stop Excel from expanding the row.
Run AutoFit Row Height the right way first
Select the row or rows that contain the cut-off text.
Go to Home > Cells > Format > AutoFit Row Height.
For the Windows desktop double-click method, select the row or rows.
Double-click the boundary below one selected row heading.
To AutoFit every row in the sheet, choose Select All.
Double-click the boundary below any row heading.
If the text still does not fit, move next to wrapping, merged cells, hidden rows, sheet protection, formatting, and the row-height limit.
Turn on Wrap Text before you AutoFit
This fixes long text that stays on one line or runs past the visible cell area.
Select the cell or range with the long text.
Go to Home > Alignment > Wrap Text.
Go to Home > Cells > Format > AutoFit Row Height.
When a break belongs in a specific place, double-click the cell.
Place the cursor where the line should break.
Press Alt + Enter.
Run Home > Cells > Format > AutoFit Row Height again.
Leave Edit mode before resizing rows
Use this method when you are typing inside a cell and row-height commands do not respond. Excel handles in-cell editing differently from a selected cell or selected row.
Press Enter or Tab to exit Edit mode.
Select the cell, row, or rows again after editing ends.
Run Home > Cells > Format > AutoFit Row Height.
Unmerge cells that stop the row from expanding
Merged cells keep wrapped text from showing fully after AutoFit. Fix the layout by unmerging the cells or replacing the merge with a non-merged heading.
To find merged cells, go to Home > Find & Select > Find > Format > Alignment, choose Merge cells, select OK or Close, and choose Find All.
Select the merged cell, then use Home > Merge & Center > Unmerge Cells.
Run Home > Cells > Format > AutoFit Row Height.
If unmerging breaks a centered heading in Microsoft 365, use Center Across Selection by selecting the cells, pressing Ctrl + 1, and choosing Alignment > Horizontal > Center Across Selection; if the row still does not fit, set the row height manually.
Use a fixed row height when AutoFit is not enough
AutoFit is not the only row-height control in Excel. Select the row or rows, then go to Home > Cells > Format > Row Height. Type the height you want in Row height, then choose OK.
The drag method gives you the same manual control. Select the row or rows, then drag the boundary below the row heading until the row is tall enough. To change every row, choose Select All, then drag the boundary below any row heading.
Excel row height maxes out at 409 points. When one cell contains more content than that height shows, reduce the content, split it into multiple rows, widen the column, or reduce the font size.
Unhide rows and check worksheet protection
This fixes rows that cannot resize because they are hidden or the protected sheet blocks row formatting.
Select the rows around the hidden row.
Right-click the selected rows.
Choose Unhide.
Or double-click the double line between the two row headings where hidden rows exist.
After the row is visible, run Home > Cells > Format > AutoFit Row Height.
Or drag the row boundary to resize the row manually.
If the sheet is protected, go to Review > Changes > Unprotect Sheet.
You can also use File > Info > Protect > Unprotect Sheet.
When you protect the sheet again, go to Review > Protect Sheet.
In Allow all users of this worksheet to, select Format rows.
Fix AutoFit on Mac, web, iPhone, or iPad
The controls change outside Excel for Windows desktop, but the goal is the same.
- 1.On Excel for Mac, select the rows, point to the separator under a selected row heading, then double-click the separator.
- 2.For cut-off wrapped text on Mac, select the cells, choose Home > Wrap Text, then use Format > Row > AutoFit.
- 3.To set an exact height on Mac, open Format > Row > Height and enter the height you want.
- 4.In Excel for the web, double-click the boundary between row headers to fit the row height to the text.
- 5.On iPhone or iPad, tap the row heading, then double-tap the row heading to AutoFit row height to the contents.
Clear formatting and update Excel when the command feels broken
Problematic formatting leaves a row looking wrong after you apply wrapping and AutoFit. Select the cells, rows, or columns, open Home, choose the arrow next to Clear in the Editing group, and select Clear Formats.
Reapply Home > Alignment > Wrap Text, then run Home > Cells > Format > AutoFit Row Height.
Update Excel next if the command still behaves incorrectly. On Windows, open Excel, create a new document, and go to File > Account > Update Options > Update Now. If Update Now does not appear, select Enable Updates first. If Update Options is missing and only About is shown, you have a volume license install or your organization manages updates through Group Policy, so use Microsoft Update or contact your company help desk. On Mac, open Excel and use Help > Check for Updates, then select Update or Update All.
If clearing formats and updating do not help, test Excel in Safe Mode on Windows, disable COM add-ins, and repair Office.
Test Safe Mode and repair Office
This fixes AutoFit problems caused by add-ins, startup customizations, or a damaged Office installation.
On Windows, press and hold Ctrl.
Double-click the Excel shortcut.
Choose Yes when Excel asks whether to start in Safe Mode.
For the Run command route, press Windows + R.
Type excel /safe.
Select OK.
If AutoFit works in Safe Mode, open Excel normally.
Go to File > Options > Add-ins.
Select COM Add-ins.
Choose Go.
Clear all check boxes.
Choose OK.
Close Excel.
Restart Excel in normal mode.
Re-enable add-ins one at a time to identify the one interfering with Excel.
When the Excel commands still malfunction, right-click Start.
On Windows 11, open Installed apps, select your Microsoft 365 or Office product, choose the ellipses, then select Modify.
On Windows 10, select Apps and Features, select your Microsoft 365 or Office product, then select Modify.
Choose the repair option shown for your Office installation.
Follow the repair prompts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is AutoFit Row Height not changing my row?
AutoFit fails when text is not wrapped, the cell is still in Edit mode, cells are merged, rows are hidden, the sheet is protected, formatting is interfering, or the content exceeds Excel's 409-point row-height limit.
Does Wrap Text have to be on for AutoFit row height?
For long text that belongs on multiple lines, yes. Select the cell, turn on Wrap Text, then run AutoFit Row Height.
Can I AutoFit Row Height in Excel for the web?
Yes. In Excel for the web, double-click the boundary between row headers to fit the row height to the text.
Why does AutoFit fail with merged cells?
Merged ranges can keep wrapped text from being fully visible and can stop the row from expanding. Unmerge the cells, then run AutoFit. For centered headings in Microsoft 365, use Center Across Selection instead of Merge & Center.
What should I do when one cell has too much text for AutoFit?
Excel row height is limited to 409 points. Split the content into multiple rows, widen the column, reduce the font size, or shorten the text.
