Configure Formula Bar

  • Thread starter Thread starter Gary''s Student
  • Start date Start date
G

Gary''s Student

I am entering text in a cell. I insert some ALT-ENTERs to force hard returns
within the cell.

In Excel 2003, the formula bar height would automatically adjust to show the
full text.

In Excel 2007, I have to manually adjust the height of the formula bar.

Is there any way, in Excel 2007, to configure the formula bar to adjust
automatically??
 
We recently discussed this in another forum.

This behavior is a trade-off between versions. In Excel 2003 and earlier the
formula bar automatically expands *but* it also will expand to cover the
grid which is not good. In Excel 2007 they made it so that when the formula
bar is expanded it doesn't cover the grid *but* the formula bar doesn't
automatically expand. The reason for this seems to be that a constantly
expanding/retracting formula bar is not very aesthetically pleasing.

One of the MVPs wrote some code to automatically resize the formula bar but
their conclusion was that it is a horrible computing experience and strongly
recommended not trying to do this.
 
Thanks Biff.
--
Gary''s Student - gsnu200902


T. Valko said:
We recently discussed this in another forum.

This behavior is a trade-off between versions. In Excel 2003 and earlier the
formula bar automatically expands *but* it also will expand to cover the
grid which is not good. In Excel 2007 they made it so that when the formula
bar is expanded it doesn't cover the grid *but* the formula bar doesn't
automatically expand. The reason for this seems to be that a constantly
expanding/retracting formula bar is not very aesthetically pleasing.

One of the MVPs wrote some code to automatically resize the formula bar but
their conclusion was that it is a horrible computing experience and strongly
recommended not trying to do this.
Click to expand...
 
I don't like either behavior!

I hate in earlier versions when the grid gets covered but I also don't like
in Excel 2007 that I can't see the entire contents of the formula bar unless
I manually resize it.

You could set it to a "default" size, say, like 5 rows high, but then
whatever's in the formula bar won't always take up all 5 of those rows so
there's wasted space and those 5 rows push 5 rows out of the grid.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't!
 
I guess I could use an event macro to set the formula bar height to the
number of CHAR(10)'s in the cell, but I shouldn't have to go to this trouble.
 
That's the method the MVP used, the Worksheet_SelectionChange event, but for
the entire sheet. If you restrict the macro to a specific range it might be
acceptable.
I shouldn't have to go to this trouble.
Click to expand...

I hear ya!
 
...I can't see the entire contents of the formula bar
unless I manually resize it.
Click to expand...

Just to mention if you are dragging the formula bar down...

Ctrl + Shift + "U"

to toggle the expansion of the formula bar in Excel 2007.

= = = = =
HTH
Dana DeLouis
 
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