Varying column widths depending on Excel Version

Question

I have a spreadsheet that is shared with multiple users using different platforms and different versions of Excel. It opens differently in each version.

The column widths change, even though the same font is being used in each instance. Locking the column widths is not an option for the intention of this spreadsheet. Is there a way to ensure that the column widths I set remain consistent across versions and platforms without locking or protecting any part of the file? 

Basically I need the document to open with the same column parameters whether it is used in Office 2007, 2010, 2011, 2013, 365 or the new 2016. Upon opening the document, some users are finding the columns are enlarging and are not fitting on one page, others are finding that the columns are shrinking too small in width and creating an enormous right hand margin. Although I want the spreadsheet adjustable, the basic setup that I send them, needs to be consistent.

Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

I would say that the variations are not version dependent but are resolution and printer driver dependent.

Very difficult to control widths and heights under those circumstances.

Newer versions of Excel allows you to change from pixels and points to measurements like mm which are not affected by resolution and drivers.

In older versions you can use VBA to set column widths and row heights in mm which are not affected by those factors.

See this site for code. . .

http://www.erlandsendata.no/english/index.php?d=envbawssetrowcol

Gord