How to Autofit Text in a Cell Using Word

Question

I have created a table using Microsoft Word for Mac. All of the table cells are formatted to be a non-expandable, fixed size. This is exactly how I wanted the table set up.

I have selected to have Wrap Text within each cell. When text is entered into the cell it will automatically move down to a new line within the cell when the text reaches the end of the current line. (see sample cell photo). This is exactly how I wanted the text to adjust between lines within the cell.

Since the cell is formatted to be a non-expandable, fixed size - if one were to keep inputting text within the cell, the writing moves down into an unseeable abyss. This is definitely not ideal.

If I select to have the cell Fit Text, the letter size reduces to allow all text to fit. However, it will not wrap to the next line to fill the cell. It simply stays on a single line.

How do I combine these features so the text will FIRST automatically move down a line AND THEN shrink the text to fit within the cell once the end of the second line has been reached?

Answer 1

You could do that by inserting a line-break at the appropriate point in the text. The line-break insertion could be semi-automated with a macro. For example:

Sub Demo()

Dim i As Long, sWdth As Single

With Selection

  If .Information(wdWithInTable) = False Then Exit Sub

  With .Cells(1)

    sWdth = .Width - .LeftPadding - .RightPadding

    With .Range

      .Font.Scaling = 100

      If .Characters.First.Information(wdVerticalPositionRelativeToPage) <> _

        .Characters.Last.Previous.Information(wdVerticalPositionRelativeToPage) Then

        .FitTextWidth = sWdth * 2

      End If

      For i = 1 To .Characters.Count

        If .Characters(i).Information(wdHorizontalPositionRelativeToTextBoundary) > sWdth Then

          .Characters(i).InsertBefore Chr(11): Exit For

        End If

      Next

    End With

    .FitText = True

  End With

End With

End Sub

With the above macro, anything more than one line's worth of content will be rescaled to fill two lines.

Answer 2

Hi CLBP03,

Thanks for using Microsoft products and posting in the community, may I know if you have checked the above solution provided by @macropod? When you have time, you are welcome to come back and let us know if you still need help here.

Hope you are all well during this period, stay safe and have a nice day : )

Best Regards,

Arck

Answer 3

I'm afraid macros are well above my pay grade. While what you're saying sounds as though it would absolutely address my issue, I have no idea how to enter a macro-or even knew that was a possibility!

Answer 4

For PC macro installation & usage instructions, see: Installing Macros (gmayor.com)

For Mac macro installation & usage instructions, see: Word:mac - Install a Macro (wordmvp.com)

Answer 5

Paul,

I read the directions you attached (Very helpful!) and inserted the macro you added. Then a Microsoft Visual Basic Compile error: Expected End Sub pop-up appeared. There is only one End Sub at the end of the macro and I couldn't find anything else to indicate where I went wrong. Any other attempts I made to correct this simply brought up more pop-ups.

Do you have any suggestions?

CLBP