When working with long sentences or character strings in a Google Sheets cell, you may notice that they overflow into adjacent cells on the right (as shown below). That’s why it’s essential to learn how to wrap text in Google Sheets, especially when you don’t need to see the entire text.
Keep reading as I guide you through the various methods of wrapping text in Google Sheets.
Quick Guide: How to Wrap Text in Google Sheets
The process of wrapping text in Google Sheets is simple. Follow the steps below to learn the quick version:
- Select the range of cells you want to wrap.
- Click on “Format” in the top toolbar.
- Hover over the text wrapping icon.
- Select “Wrap” from the dropdown menu to wrap the selected cells.
Of course, there are several alternative methods to wrap text in Google Sheets. Keep reading as I guide you through them.
How to Wrap Text in Google Sheets using the Format Menu
I might sound repetitive by saying that wrapping text in Google Sheets is easy, but it really is! You’ll agree with me after reading the step-by-step instructions below to wrap text using the formatting icon.
- Select the cells you want to wrap.
- Click on the “Format” option in the menu.
- Hover your mouse over the “Wrap” option.
- Select “Wrap”.
And that’s it! It will instantly wrap the text in your selected cells.
How to Wrap Cells in Google Sheets using the Toolbar
Another method is to use the Google Sheets toolbar, located right below the “Menu” options.
Follow these steps to access the text wrapping icon via the toolbar:
- Click on the “Wrap Text” icon in the toolbar.
Note: The wrap text button works like a switch. You can turn it on and off using the same steps mentioned above.
How Does Google Sheets Wrap Text?
When the content of a cell is wrapped, Google Sheets tries to fit the cell’s content within the boundaries of the same cell or the column width. The cell width in the columns determines this. So, if your column width is long enough to fit the text on a single line, Google Sheets will do so.
However, if your column width is too short, it will wrap the cell’s content within the same cell (by splitting it into multiple lines within the same cell) to prevent text overflow.
When text is wrapped, Google Sheets automatically adjusts the cell’s height to accommodate the content, allowing you to organize your data.
Alternatively, if you don’t want your text to overflow or wrap, choose the “Clip” option, accessible under the text wrapping button.
This will clip the text so that it doesn’t overflow into adjacent cells. It’s a handy feature when you want to see part of the text but don’t want it to spill over. Common examples include long URLs, email addresses, or phone numbers.
The convenient thing is that by using the “Clip” option, no text is deleted. It simply hides the overflowing text.
How to Create a Keyboard Shortcut for Text Wrapping using Macros in Google Sheets
Another way to use the “Wrap Text” option is by using macros when working on a spreadsheet.
A macro records mouse clicks and keyboard strokes that you can customize. It can also be described as a small program that automates tasks in a spreadsheet, meaning you can create your own keyboard shortcut to wrap text in Google Sheets.
Follow the steps below to learn how to create a keyboard shortcut for text wrapping using macros in Google Sheets.
Step 1: Select the cells you want to wrap.
Step 2: After selecting your cells, go to the Google Sheets toolbar and select “Extension”.
Step 3: A context menu will appear. Select “Macro” from the context menu, then click on “Record Macro”.
Step 4: Another context menu will appear at the bottom middle of the screen. Select “Use relative references” from the options.
Step 5: The next step is to name and assign a keyboard shortcut number, then click on “Save”.
For Mac users, the keyboard shortcut is Command + Option + Shift + your preferred number.
Alignment settings are what enable the text wrapping option. Apart from wrapping text, alignment settings in Google Sheets also include horizontal alignment, vertical alignment, indentation, and merging cells.
How to Wrap Text in the Google Sheets Mobile App
You can also wrap text on your mobile device. Although the process is slightly different, it is just as easy. Here’s how to wrap text in Google Sheets via a mobile device:
- Tap on the cell you want to format or columns/rows by selecting their letter or number.
- Tap on the “A” formatting button.
- Tap on the “Cell” tab and scroll down to “Wrap” text.
- Tap on the switch to enable text wrapping in Google Sheets.
Why is Text Wrapping Not Working in Google Sheets?
Google no longer automatically enables cell wrapping. Therefore, you have to manually enable the text wrapping function.
If you followed my instructions above, the function should work. If not, try refreshing your page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I wrap text in Google Sheets?
The easiest way is to:
- Select the relevant cells.
- Click on the text wrapping shortcut in the toolbar.
What is the shortcut to wrap text in Google Sheets?
You need to select the relevant cells and press ALT + Enter.
Why is text wrapping not working in Google Sheets?
Text wrapping is not automatically enabled in Google Sheets. It’s more likely that the “Clip” or “Overflow” function is enabled as the default setting.
You can change the setting through the “Format” menu using the keyboard shortcut ALT + Enter if you want to modify the setting.
Learn More About Google Sheets
Now that you know how to wrap text in Google Sheets, you may want to check out our guide on adding a new line within the same cell in Google Sheets.
Find all our articles on Crawlan.com to explore more about Google Sheets and improve your spreadsheet management skills.
