How to Limit Text within Column (no overflow to next column)

[abrandt]

Hello Members:

Quick question, please.

How to LIMIT TEXT to within a column to AVOID overflow to next column... (without having to insert text in the next column to truncate the previous column)?

I hope this question is clear enough to be decipherable!

Thanks much in advance for a prompt and clear response,

Alan

[thomasjk]

Format--->Cells--->Alignment Check "Wrap Text"

[abrandt]

Hello thomasjk:

If I'm not mistaken, WRAPPING will increase the HEIGHT of a row... don't want that.

My goal is: TEXT visible only within column width only... then red ARROW displays - indicating more text to view in the cell.

POSSIBLE???

Thanks much in advance for a prompt clarification and response,

Alan

[Villeroy]

Put some invisible content into the neigbour column (space or ="").
Hide that column.
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[thomasjk]

Then check "Shrink to fit cell size" or make the columns wider.

[abrandt]

Hello thomasjk:

Appreciate your follow-up.

Upon Googling what "Shrink to fit cell size" means... it appears that this function will REDUCE FONT SIZE to fit within a set column length... however I could not find SHRINK anywhere under the FORMAT TAB within OO 3.1.1 build OOO310m (build:9429).

Still that's not what I'm hoping to achieve. I would like retain CALIBRI - 8 font... and only show that portion of the TEXT that fits within column width, with the remainder hidden (column arrow on right).

Is this doable?

Thanks much again.

Alan

[thomasjk]

Best to try Villeroy's suggestion.

[abrandt]

[thomasjk]

Use Excel.

[pkon]

Please have a look at Format cells - Alignment - Shrink to fit cell size.

Also try to find it in the manual.

Works on 3.2 and 3.3 developer version.

[abrandt]

Hello pkon:

Appreciate your follow-up post.

In OO 3.1.1 build OOO310m (build:9429), "Shrink to fit cell size" is located at:

- FORMAT tab >
- drop down menu (CELLS or CTRL + 1)
- SHRINK TO FIT CELL SIZE (bottom left - radial box)

Yes, it will successfully SHRINK text to fit within any column width, but renders all the text UNREADABLE (too small).

In contrast, I want to retain READABLE text at CALIBRI - 8 font - within the COLUMN WIDTH... and then have text at right border of column become TRUNCATED (not visible) until one clicks on that CELL where the text becomes visible in the TOP TEXT area (cell formula / text bar).


From responses so far, it would appear this capability is not yet a current OO FEATURE.

A truncated cell text SOLUTION would be very much appreciated, if anyone has figured this out.

Thanks much again!

Alan

[Villeroy]

Please, stop nagging. This is a spreadsheet calculation program in the first place. It is not a "table editor", layout program or anything like that.
We are users like you, making suggestions how to handle some problem or shortcoming of this software.
I still don't get how you want to display a long text in a short cell without wrapping nor shrinking
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[thomasjk]

[Phosphaenus]

I think you can achieve what you're asking for as follows:

1) Tools - Options - Text overflow [tick]

2) [Select all spreadsheet]

3) Format - Cells - Alignment - Wrap text automatically [tick]

4) Format - Row - Height [find a height which shows only one line]

[The row height that works for me, with Calibri 12 font, is 0.65 cm; note also that text alignment in all my cells is Left Top.]

This gives you the red arrow indicating truncation. You can view the cell's full content by double-clicking it.

Works for me, anyway.

[stevesaunders]

=LEFT(A1;20)
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