Teacher Tech blog with Alice Keeler

Paperless Is Not a Pedagogy

Alice Keeler

The Importance of Word Wrap in Google Sheets

A key skill to know when using Google Sheets is how to wrap the text within a cell. You want to be able to view all of the text that is in your spreadsheet and not have any of cut off. Setting word wrap can be a bit tricky until you know where to look.

The Importance of Word Wrap in Google Sheets

A key skill to know when using Google Sheets is how to wrap the text within a cell. You want to be able to view all of the text that is in your spreadsheet and not have any of cut off. Setting word wrap can be a bit tricky until you know where to look.

YouTube video

Setting Word Wrap

By default the text in a cell will spill into the next cell. This is particularly problematic because if you put content into the next cell your text will be cut off. It usually does not make sense for your text to be cut off. Note that “cut off” is not literal, the text is still there. Double click on the cell to view the full text. The extra characters are simply cut off from viewing.

Find the Icon

Setting word wrap starts by selecting the cell or range of cells that you wish to have wrapped text in. In the toolbar, look for the centering icon. You may not see the icon if your screen width is too small. In that case, you will see 3 dots in the toolbar. Click on the 3 dots to see more icons, including the centering and wrap icon. The centering icon is generally well known to people and is easy to spot in the toolbar. The icon to the right of the centering icon is an arrow pointing down to a horizontal line. That allows you to center your text vertically, another favorite of mine. The icon that is to the right of that is the text wrapping icon.

Click on the small triangle next to the text wrap icon.

Screenshot of google sheets toolbar where the Wrap option is shown.

3 Options

The default option is to overflow the text from the one cell to the next cell, if the next cell is available. This is only visually and does not actually put the text into the next cell. The value of the cell to the right remains blank.

The middle option is the one you want, it wraps the text in the cell.

The 3rd option is to cut off your text. I will use this for cells where I am pasting long URL’s and it doesn’t matter for the person to see the full URL.

Adjusting Column Width in Google Sheets

It is also helpful to be able to adjust the width of the column. If you have a lot of text in your cell than a width of 120 pixels will be very difficult to read, even when the text is wrapped.

Hold your mouse between the column indicators. Click and hold the mouse down to drag the width of the column wider.

YouTube video
  • Help Your Students Prepare to Present

    Help Your Students Prepare to Present

    Maximize student success in presentations with ‘Speaker Notes by AliceKeeler,’ the ideal Google Slides add-on. Enhance how students prepare to present with easy transfer of speaker notes to Google Docs, promoting effective communication skills. Dive into the world of engaging, technology-aided presentations and empower students to shine in their academic endeavors. Discover the key to…

  • How Teachers Can 🛳️ Cruise to Less Stress with Tech

    How Teachers Can 🛳️ Cruise to Less Stress with Tech

    As we set sail into the ocean of teaching, we need to cruise to less stress with tech. There is no magic bullet, but tech can provide opportunities for supporting.

  • Infographic 7 Basic Steps for a Google Form

    Infographic 7 Basic Steps for a Google Form

    New to using Google Forms? This tool is essential for teachers to not only save time but to be adaptive to student needs. Use Forms to survey students, play games, personalize instruction, and assessment. This infographic on the 7 basic steps for a Google Form will help you get started.

  • How to Add a Background on Google Docs

    How to Add a Background on Google Docs

    The age old question, how to add a background in google docs. For a long time this was not possible without hacks. Now you can easily add a background image to Google Docs and print it!

  • Create Badges in Google Sheets

    Create Badges in Google Sheets

    Wanting to gamify your class with badges? One option is to create badges in Google Sheets. Create a list of achievements and add a badge for each one.

  • Classroom Jeopardy Template in FigJam

    Classroom Jeopardy Template in FigJam

    Check out this flexible use Classroom Jeopardy Template in FigJam. Make a copy and customize for your classroom content. Add tutorials and support resources for students to get extra help.

Students Prepare to Present

Help Your Students Prepare to Present

Maximize student success in presentations with ‘Speaker Notes by AliceKeeler,’ the ideal Google Slides add-on. Enhance how students prepare to present with easy transfer of speaker notes to Google Docs, promoting effective communication skills. Dive into the world of engaging, technology-aided presentations and empower students to shine in their academic endeavors. Discover the key to transforming student presentations into interactive, skill-building experiences.

Read More »

Infographic 7 Basic Steps for a Google Form

New to using Google Forms? This tool is essential for teachers to not only save time but to be adaptive to student needs. Use Forms to survey students, play games, personalize instruction, and assessment. This infographic on the 7 basic steps for a Google Form will help you get started.

Read More »

Online Workshop: Get Your Add-on Published

How can you make Google Workspace (Docs/Sheets/Slides) even better? You can create custom Add-ons with Google Apps Script. Wondering How to Get Your Google Workspace Add-on Published? Join Alice Keeler, Google Developer Expert, to learn the steps to get your Add-on officially published.

Read More »

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

%d