How to Use Google Sheets

How to Wrap Text in Google Sheets

Text wrapping is a fast way to organize data, align cells and adjust formatting in Google Sheets. Here's how to do it.
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Wrap text in Google sheets to maintain data uniformity, reduce clutter and easily customize information depending on different audiences.

What is text wrapping?

"Text wrapping" is the way that text or data is displayed in a spreadsheet. For example, if you have text that extends past the line of a column or row, text wraps let you break down how that information appears in the cell. In Google Sheets, there are three types of wrapped text.

  1. Overflow
  2. Wrap
  3. Clip

Here is a breakdown of each text wrapping option.

1. Overflow text wrapping

Overflow text wrapping will let the data go beyond the boundaries of the cell
Overflow text wrapping

"Overflow" text wrapping is the baseline text wrapping function in Google Sheets. This is when your data extends beyond the width of your cell across the row it's in.

2. Standard text wrapping

standard text wrapping will

"Wrap" or standard text wrapping describes when you set the cell to expand its height to adjust to the data so that it fits within the cell.

3. Clip text wrapping

clip text wrapping cuts off the data when it reaches the edge of the cell
Clip text wrapping

Clip text wrapping is great for expansive sheets with a significant amount of data. This text-wrapping format cuts off the data when it reaches the edge of the cell.

How to wrap text in Google Sheets

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to wrap text in a cell, row or column.

1. Select the cell you want to wrap

Click on the cell you want to format.

Click on the cell you want to format.
💡 Tip: To apply text wrapping to multiple cells or columns, simply highlight those cells before you update the setting. To highlight an entire row or column, click on the header to the right or above the column.

2. Click the text display icon

This icon is at the top menu on your spreadsheet.

3. Click "Wrap"

Standard text wrapping is the middle icon, but you can also choose to "overflow" or "clip" your text in the cell, column or row.

Click on the wrap icon.

Like this step-by-step guide? Check out these related resources

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