# Excel question: Cell text format issues **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 26, 2010, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-question-cell-text-format-issues/533881 "2010-03-26T14:44:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2010, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-question-cell-text-format-issues/533881/1 "2010-03-26T14:44:13Z")
No matter what I do, I can’t seem to fix this issue I’m having. In the spreadsheet I’m working on, one of the cells contains two large paragraphs. For some reason, even though the cell is formatted to wrap text, the second paragraph does not wrap. I’ve deleted the row and inserted a new row - doesn’t fix it. I’ve highlighted only the second paragraph and it indicates that it is wrap text. I’ve removed it from the cell, removed all formatting in Word, reinserted it, and it’s still not wrapping. Any suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2010, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-question-cell-text-format-issues/533881/2 "2010-03-26T15:56:21Z")
I would try separating the second paragraph from the first and put it in its own cell and try making it wrap there. If you can get it to wrap on its own, paste it back into the first cell and hope. ---
**Author:** ![nivlac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3bc359/32.png) [@nivlac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nivlac)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2010, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-question-cell-text-format-issues/533881/3 "2010-03-26T16:46:07Z")
> [@EmAnJ](#): > > … In the spreadsheet I’m working on, one of the cells contains two large paragraphs. For some reason, even though the cell is formatted to wrap text, the second paragraph does not wrap. First of all, what version of Excel are you using? Are you saying you have a cell where one paragraph is wrapped, but another paragraph is not wrapped (runs into the adjacent cell)? I don’t think that’s possible. A cell has wrapped text or it doesn’t. Are you sure all the text is in one cell? Maybe it’s two cells with the a border missing. ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2010, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-question-cell-text-format-issues/533881/4 "2010-03-26T19:16:37Z")
> [@nivlac](#): > > First of all, what version of Excel are you using? Are you saying you have a cell where one paragraph is wrapped, but another paragraph is not wrapped (runs into the adjacent cell)? I don’t think that’s possible. A cell has wrapped text or it doesn’t. Are you sure all the text is in one cell? Maybe it’s two cells with the a border missing. The version I am using is 2003. Yes I am sure it’s all in one cell. I’ve cut and pasted it into a new cell and it looks fine, then back into a new cell I’ve created and the second paragraph still won’t wrap. ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2010, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-question-cell-text-format-issues/533881/5 "2010-03-26T19:19:38Z")
> [@EmAnJ](#): > > The version I am using is 2003. Yes I am sure it’s all in one cell. I’ve cut and pasted it into a new cell and the second paragraph still won’t wrap. I need to clarify. I cut the text and paste it into a new cell in another area. It’ll wrap properly. Then I delete the offending row and insert a new row. I paste it back in and the same problem happens again. ---
**Author:** ![ice1000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a3d4f5/32.png) [@ice1000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ice1000)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2010, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-question-cell-text-format-issues/533881/6 "2010-04-25T19:42:00Z")
> [@EmAnJ](#): > > I need to clarify. > > I cut the text and paste it into a new cell in another area. It’ll wrap properly. Then I delete the offending row and insert a new row. I paste it back in and the same problem happens again. When you insert a row, the new row inherits all the format settings from the row above it. Find an existing row with normal formatting, insert your text to make sure it appears correctly. Cut and paste (choose paste special, insert cells) into the area you want.