Numbers how to fit column width for content of selected cell?

Numbers defaults to "Wrap" text in cell.

With that feature unchecked in the Text section of the Format inspector, extra text will 'extend' into the next cell.

The Wrap setting can be changed for a single cell, or for a group of cells (by selecting the cells befor unchecking the Wrap checkbox).

With wrap turned off, Text that is too long to fit into its cell will cross a cell boundary and continue into an EMPTY cell. If there is not an empty cell in the direction the text is progressing, the visible text will end at the cell boundary, even though the rest of the text IS still present in the string.

Examples:

Cells in columns B, C and D are set to align text as stated in row 1.

The text string shown was entered in cell B2, then selected and copied from there, and inserted into the the rest of the green-filled cells using Paste and Match Style. The style in these cases was the alignment setting.

Rows 2, 3 and 4 have no content in cells other than the one highlighted in green.

Rows 6, 7 and 8 have text in the first cell into which the overflow text would flow, blocking that flow.

In Row 10, all cells have Wrap turned on, ausing the 'extra text to wrap onto a new line when it reaches the cell boundary.

Regards,

Barry

Generally, if you are working with a lot of formulas in a table, it's not a great idea to merge cells.

Have you tried turning off Wrap Text in Cell under the Text tab and then clicking the Fit buttons under Row & Column Size in the Table tab?

SG

Sometimes merging cells can cause problems. Sometimes it doesn't.. So you are generally better off if you can get the same visual effect without merging, which is usually easily achieved.

As I described above, just uncheck Wrap Text in Cell under the Text tab and fiddle with column widths as needed in the Table tab, maybe even try clicking the 'Fit' button there.

SG