Microsoft KB Archive/72065

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Excel: Column Widths Are Wider Than Expected

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 2.x, 3.0, 4.0, 4.0a, 5.0
 * Microsoft Excel for OS/2, versions 2.2, 2.21, 3.0

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SYMPTOMS
In Microsoft Excel, column widths may appear to be wider than you intended.

CAUSE
This behavior will occur if the Formulas check box is selected.

WORKAROUND
To change the column back to the desired width, clear the Formulas check box or press CTRL+` (accent grave--to the left of the 1 key on the alphanumeric keyboard).

MORE INFORMATION
In Microsoft Excel worksheets, you can view the resulting values or the formulas that produce those values. You can toggle between these two views by pressing CTRL+` (accent grave). Or, you can choose Options from the Tools menu, select the General tab, and select or clear the Formulas check box. (In Microsoft Excel version 5.0, choose Display from the Options menu, and select or clear the Formulas check box).

When you display formulas, your column width is exactly twice the width that it is when values are displayed; however, if you choose Column Width from the Format menu, the number for the column width is the same size whether you are viewing formulas or viewing values.