Configure Formula Bar

[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??

 

[T. Valko]

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.

 

[Gary''s Student]

Thanks Biff.
--
Gary''s Student - gsnu200902

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.

 

[T. Valko]

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!

 

[Gary''s Student]

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.

 

[T. Valko]

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.

I hear ya!

 

[Dana DeLouis]

...I can't see the entire contents of the formula bar

unless I manually resize it.

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