Set width of a column in excel vba

In this VBA Tutorial, you learn how to use Excel VBA to set or autofit the width of columns in a variety of circumstances.

This VBA Tutorial is accompanied by Excel workbooks containing the data and macros I use in the examples below. You can get immediate free access to these example workbooks by subscribing to the Power Spreadsheets Newsletter.

Use the following Table of Contents to navigate to the section you’re interested in.

Related VBA and Macro Tutorials

The following VBA and Macro Tutorials may help you better understand and implement the contents below:

• General VBA constructs and structures:
  • Learn about using variables here.
  • Learn about VBA data types here.
  • Learn about R1C1 and A1 style references here.
• Practical VBA applications and macro examples:
  • Learn how to work with worksheets here.
  • Learn how to delete columns here.
  • Learn how to hide or unhide rows and columns here.

You can find additional VBA and Macro Tutorials in the Archives.

#1: Set Column Width

VBA Code to Set Column Width

To set the width of a column with VBA, use a statement with the following structure:

Worksheet.Range("A1CellReference").ColumnWidth = ColumnWidthUnits

Process Followed by VBA Code

Specify column width in units” width=”316″ height=”102″>

VBA Statement Explanation

1. Item: Worksheet.
   • VBA Construct: Workbook.Worksheets property.
   • Description: Returns a Worksheet object representing the worksheet you work with.
2. Item: Range(“A1CellReference”).
   • VBA Construct: Worksheet.Range property.
   • Description: Returns a Range object representing a cell within the column whose width you set. You specify the cell using an A1-style cell reference (A1CellReference) enclosed within quotations (“”).
3. Item: ColumnWidth.
   • VBA Construct: Range.ColumnWidth property.
   • Description: Sets the width of the column containing the Range object returned by item #2 above.
4. Item: ColumnWidthUnits.
   • VBA Construct: New value of the Range.ColumnWidth property.
   • Description: Specifies the width, in units, of the column containing the Range object returned by item #2 above.
     • Column width isn’t measured in points, centimeters or inches. Excel measures column width units based on the size (width) of the font you use in the Normal style (for example, Calibri 11).
     • Therefore, 1 unit of column width is equal to 1 character of the Normal style font. Consider the following:
       • If your Normal style font is a fixed-width font, such as Courier New or Consolas, all characters have the same width.
       • If your Normal style font is a proportional font, Excel considers the width of the character “0” (the number zero).
     • If you explicitly declare a variable to represent ColumnWidthUnits, use a numeric data type that can handle the value you use to specify the column width in the appropriate units.

Macro Example

The following macro sets the width of column A of the worksheet named “Column width” to 15 units.

Sub columnWidth()

    'Source: https://powerspreadsheets.com/
    'For further information: https://powerspreadsheets.com/excel-vba-column-width/

    Worksheets("Column width").Range("A5").columnWidth = 15

End Sub

Effects of Executing Macro Example

The following GIF illustrates the results of executing this macro example. As expected, VBA sets the width of column A to 15 units.

#2: Set Column Width for Multiple Contiguous Columns

VBA Code to Set Column Width for Multiple Contiguous Columns

To set the width of multiple contiguous columns with VBA, use a statement with the following structure:

Worksheet.Range("FirstColumnLetter:LastColumnLetter").ColumnWidth = ColumnWidthUnits

Process Followed by VBA Code

Specify column width in units” width=”312″ height=”105″>

VBA Statement Explanation

1. Item: Worksheet.
   • VBA Construct: Workbook.Worksheets property.
   • Description: Returns a Worksheet object representing the worksheet you work with.
2. Item: Range(“FirstColumnLetter:LastColumnLetter”).
   • VBA Construct: Worksheet.Range property.
   • Description: Returns a Range object representing the columns whose width you set. Under this syntax:
     • You identify columns by the letters of their headers (FirstColumnLetter and LastColumnLetter).
     • The column letters are:
       • Separated by a colon (:), which allows you to set up an array.
       • Enclosed within quotations (“”).
3. Item: ColumnWidth.
   • VBA Construct: Range.ColumnWidth property.
   • Description: Sets the width of the columns returned by item #2 above.
4. Item: ColumnWidthUnits.
   • VBA Construct: New value of the Range.ColumnWidth property.
   • Description: Specifies the width, in units, of the columns returned by item #2 above.
     • Column width isn’t measured in points, centimeters or inches. Excel measures column width units based on the size (width) of the font you use in the Normal style (for example, Calibri 11).
     • Therefore, 1 unit of column width is equal to 1 character of the Normal style font. Consider the following:
       • If your Normal style font is a fixed-width font, such as Courier New or Consolas, all characters have the same width.
       • If your Normal style font is a proportional font, Excel considers the width of the character “0” (the number zero).
     • If you explicitly declare a variable to represent ColumnWidthUnits, use a numeric data type that can handle the value you use to specify the column width in the appropriate units.

Macro Example

The following macro sets the width of columns C through E (C, D and E) of the worksheet named “Column width” to 10 units.

Sub columnWidthMultipleColumns()

    'Source: https://powerspreadsheets.com/
    'For further information: https://powerspreadsheets.com/excel-vba-column-width/

    Worksheets("Column width").Range("C:E").columnWidth = 10

End Sub

Effects of Executing Macro Example

The following GIF illustrates the results of executing this macro example. As expected, VBA sets the width of columns C through E to 10 units.

#3: Set Column Width for Multiple Non-Contiguous Columns

VBA Code to Set Column Width for Multiple Non-Contiguous Columns

To set the width of multiple non-contiguous columns with VBA, use a statement with the following structure:

Worksheet.Range("Column1Area1Letter:ColumnLastArea1Letter,Column1Area2Letter:ColumnLastArea2Letter, ... , Column1AreaLastLetter:ColumnLastAreaLastLetter").ColumnWidth = ColumnWidthUnits

Process Followed by VBA Code

Specify column width in units” width=”312″ height=”105″>

VBA Statement Explanation

1. Item: Worksheet.
   • VBA Construct: Workbook.Worksheets property.
   • Description: Returns a Worksheet object representing the worksheet you work with.
2. Item: Range(“Column1Area1Letter:ColumnLastArea1Letter,Column1Area2Letter:ColumnLastArea2Letter, … , Column1AreaLastLetter:ColumnLastAreaLastLetter”).
   • VBA Construct: Worksheet.Range property.
   • Description: Returns a Range object representing the columns whose width you set. Under this syntax:
     • You identify columns by the letters of their headers (Column1Area1Letter, ColumnLastArea1Letter, Column1Area2Letter, ColumnLastArea2Letter, … , Column1AreaLastLetter and ColumnLastAreaLastLetter”).
     • The column letters identifying contiguous columns (within the same data area) are separated by a colon (:), which allows you to set up an array. If you’re only referring to a single column (for example, column B), include the letter reference twice and separate them with a colon (:) (for example “B:B”).
     • The column letters identifying non-contiguous columns (in separate data areas) are separated by the union operator, a comma (,).
     • The complete column reference is enclosed within quotations (“”).
3. Item: ColumnWidth.
   • VBA Construct: Range.ColumnWidth property.
   • Description: Sets the width of the columns returned by item #2 above.
4. Item: ColumnWidthUnits.
   • VBA Construct: New value of the Range.ColumnWidth property.
   • Description: Specifies the width, in units, of the columns returned by item #2 above.
     • Column width isn’t measured in points, centimeters or inches. Excel measures column width units based on the size (width) of the font you use in the Normal style (for example, Calibri 11).
     • Therefore, 1 unit of column width is equal to 1 character of the Normal style font. Consider the following:
       • If your Normal style font is a fixed-width font, such as Courier New or Consolas, all characters have the same width.
       • If your Normal style font is a proportional font, Excel considers the width of the character “0” (the number zero).
     • If you explicitly declare a variable to represent ColumnWidthUnits, use a numeric data type that can handle the value you use to specify the column width in the appropriate units.

Macro Example

The following macro sets the width of columns B, F and H of the worksheet named “Column width” to 20 units.

Sub columnWidthMultipleNonAdjacentColumns()

    'Source: https://powerspreadsheets.com/
    'For further information: https://powerspreadsheets.com/excel-vba-column-width/

    Worksheets("Column width").Range("B:B,F:F,H:H").columnWidth = 20

End Sub

Effects of Executing Macro Example

The following GIF illustrates the results of executing this macro example. As expected, VBA sets the width of columns B, F and H to 20 units.

#4: AutoFit Column Width Based on Entire Column

VBA Code to AutoFit Column Width Based on Entire Column

To autofit the width of a column with VBA, considering the contents of the entire column, use a statement with the following structure:

Worksheet.Range("A1CellReference").EntireColumn.AutoFit

Process Followed by VBA Code

return entire column > autofit entire column width” width=”497″ height=”107″>

VBA Statement Explanation

1. Item: Worksheet.
   • VBA Construct: Workbook.Worksheets property.
   • Description: Returns a Worksheet object representing the worksheet you work with.
2. Item: Range(“A1CellReference”).
   • VBA Construct: Worksheet.Range property.
   • Description: Returns a Range object representing a cell within the column you autofit. You specify the cell using an A1-style cell reference (A1CellReference) enclosed within quotations (“”).
3. Item: EntireColumn.
   • VBA Construct: Range.EntireColumn property.
   • Description: Returns a Range object representing the entire column containing the Range object returned by item #2 above.
4. Item: AutoFit.
   • VBA Construct: Range.AutoFit method.
   • Description: Modifies the width of the column represented by the Range object returned by item #3 above to achieve the best fit (autofits).

Macro Example

The following macro autofits the width of column G of the worksheet named “Column width” based on the contents of all the cells in the entire column.

Sub columnWidthAutoFitEntireColumn()

    'Source: https://powerspreadsheets.com/
    'For further information: https://powerspreadsheets.com/excel-vba-column-width/

    Worksheets("Column width").Range("G5").EntireColumn.AutoFit

End Sub

Effects of Executing Macro Example

The following GIF illustrates the results of executing this macro example. As expected, VBA autofits the width of column G based on the contents of all the cells in the entire column. Notice the contents in cell G10 (Autofit based on entire column), which are used as the basis for the autofitting operation.

#5: AutoFit Column Width Based on Specific Cell

VBA Code to AutoFit Column Width Based on Specific Cell

To autofit the width of a column with VBA, considering the contents of a specific cell or row, use a statement with the following structure:

Worksheet.Range("A1CellReference").Columns.AutoFit

Process Followed by VBA Code

return column > autofit entire column width to contents of cell” width=”493″ height=”105″>

VBA Statement Explanation

1. Item: Worksheet.
   • VBA Construct: Workbook.Worksheets property.
   • Description: Returns a Worksheet object representing the worksheet you work with.
2. Item: Range(“A1CellReference”).
   • VBA Construct: Worksheet.Range property.
   • Description: Returns a Range object representing a cell.
     • This cell:
       • Is within the column you autofit.
       • Is the cell whose contents Excel considers for purposes of achieving the best fit (autofitting).
     • You specify the cell using an A1-style cell reference (A1CellReference) enclosed within quotations (“”).
3. Item: Columns.
   • VBA Construct: Range.Columns property.
   • Description: Returns a Range object representing the column containing the Range object returned by item #2 above.
4. Item: AutoFit.
   • VBA Construct: Range.AutoFit method.
   • Description: Modifies the width of the column represented by the Range object returned by item #3 above to achieve the best fit (autofits) based on the contents within the cell represented by the Range object returned by item #2 above.

Macro Example

The following macro autofits the width of column I of the worksheet named “Column width” based on the contents of cell I5.

Sub columnWidthAutoFitRow()

    'Source: https://powerspreadsheets.com/
    'For further information: https://powerspreadsheets.com/excel-vba-column-width/

    Worksheets("Column width").Range("I5").Columns.AutoFit

End Sub

Effects of Executing Macro Example

The following GIF illustrates the results of executing this macro example. As expected, VBA sets autofits the width of column I based on the contents of cell I5. Notice the contents in cell I10 (Autofit based on specific cell), which aren’t used as the basis for the autofitting operation.

#6: Set Column Width in Points

VBA Code to Set Column Width in Points

To set the width of a column in points with VBA, use a macro with the following statement structure:

With Worksheet.Range("A1CellReference")
    For Counter = 1 To 3
        .ColumnWidth = ColumnWidthPoints * (.ColumnWidth / .Width)
    Next Counter
End With

Process Followed by VBA Code

specify column width in points 3 times” width=”689″ height=”192″>

VBA Statement Explanation

Lines #1 and #5: With Worksheet.Range(“A1CellReference”) | End With

1. Item: With… End With.
   • VBA Construct: With… End With statement.
   • Description: Statements within the With… End With statement (lines # through #4 below) are executed on the Range object returned by item #3 below.
2. Item: Worksheet.
   • VBA Construct: Workbook.Worksheets property.
   • Description: Returns a Worksheet object representing the worksheet you work with.
3. Item: Range(“A1CellReference”).
   • VBA Construct: Worksheet.Range property.
   • Description: Returns a Range object representing a cell within the column whose width you set. You specify the cell using an A1-style cell reference (A1CellReference) enclosed within quotations (“”).

Lines #2 and #4: For Counter = 1 To 3 | Next Counter

1. Item: For… Next Counter.
   • VBA Construct: For… Next statement.
   • Description: Repeats the statement within the loop (line #3 below) 3 times, as required by item #3 below.
2. Item: Counter.
   • VBA Construct: Counter of For… Next statement.
   • Description: Loop counter. If you explicitly declare a variable to represent the loop counter, use the Long data type.
3. Item: 1 To 3.
   • VBA Construct: Counter Start (1) and Counter End (3) of For… Next statement.
   • Description: The statement within the loop (line #3 below) is executed 3 times (1 To 3).
     • Theoretically, line #3 below should be enough to set the column width in points without requiring the loop specified by these lines #2 and #4. In practice, this may not be the case. Some tests suggest that repeating line #3 below (or similar) 3 times generally gets you the closest to the specified column width.

Line #3: .ColumnWidth = ColumnWidthPoints * (.ColumnWidth / .Width)

1. Item: .ColumnWidth.
   • VBA Construct: Range.ColumnWidth property.
   • Description:
     • Sets the width of the column containing the Range object within the opening statement of the With… End With block (line #1, item #3 above).
     • .ColumnWidth is included twice in the statement. In this first mention, (.ColumnWidth = …), ColumnWidth is the property to which a value is assigned. The value assigned to the ColumnWidth property is the value returned by the other items within this statement.
2. Item: ColumnWidthPoints.
   • VBA Construct: Numeric (for example, Double) variable.
   • Description: Specifies the width (in points) of the columns containing the Range object within the opening statement of the With… End With block (line #1, item #3 above).
     • If you explicitly declare a variable to represent ColumnWidthPoints, use a numeric data type that can handle the value you use to specify the column width in points.
3. Item: .ColumnWidth.
   • VBA Construct: Range.ColumnWidth property.
   • Description:
     • Returns the width of the column containing the Range object within the opening statement of the With… End With block (line #1, item #3 above).
     • .ColumnWidth is included twice in the statement. In this second mention, (.ColumnWidth), ColumnWidth returns the current value of the property.
     • The ColumnWidth property returns the column width in units based on the size (width) of the font you use in the Normal style (for example, Calibri 11). Therefore, 1 unit of column width is equal to 1 character of the Normal style font. If your Normal style font is a proportional (not fixed-width) font, Excel considers the width of the character “0” (the number zero).
4. Item: .Width.
   • VBA Construct: Range.Width property.
   • Description:
     • Returns the width of the column containing the Range object within the opening statement of the With… End With block (line #1, item #3 above).
     • The Width property returns the column width in points.
5. Item: (.ColumnWidth / .Width).
   • VBA Construct: Numeric expression.
   • Description:
     • Both ColumnWidth (item #3 above) and Width (item #4 above) return the width of the column containing the Range object within the opening statement of the With… End With block (line #1, item #3 above).
     • The units in which ColumnWidth and Width return the column width differ.
       • ColumnWidth expresses the column width in units based on the size (width) of the font you use in the Normal style.
       • Width expresses the column width in points.
     • ColumnWidth divided by Width (.ColumnWidth / .Width) returns the factor by which you must multiply the desired column width expressed in points (item #2 above) to obtain the appropriate column width in units based on the size (width) of the font you use in the Normal style. In other words, this expression converts ColumnWidthPoints from points to the units required by the ColumnWidth property.

Macro Example

The following macro sets the width of column J of the worksheet named “Column width” to 80 points.

Sub columnWidthPoints()

    'Source: https://powerspreadsheets.com/
    'For further information: https://powerspreadsheets.com/excel-vba-column-width/

    Dim iCounter As Long

    With Worksheets("Column width").Range("J5")
        For iCounter = 1 To 3
            .columnWidth = 80 * (.columnWidth / .Width)
        Next iCounter
    End With

End Sub

Effects of Executing Macro Example

The following GIF illustrates the results of executing this macro example. As expected, VBA sets the width of column J to 80 points.

#7: Set Column Width in Inches

VBA Code to Set Column Width in Inches

To set the width of a column in inches with VBA, use a macro with the following statement structure:

With Worksheet.Range("A1CellReference")
    For Counter = 1 To 3
        .ColumnWidth = Application.InchesToPoints(ColumnWidthInches) * (.ColumnWidth / .Width)
    Next Counter
End With

Process Followed by VBA Code

specify column width in inches 3 times” width=”686″ height=”191″>

VBA Statement Explanation

Lines #1 and #5: With Worksheet.Range(“A1CellReference”) | End With

1. Item: With… End With.
   • VBA Construct: With… End With statement.
   • Description: Statements within the With… End With statement (lines # through #4 below) are executed on the Range object returned by item #3 below.
2. Item: Worksheet.
   • VBA Construct: Workbook.Worksheets property.
   • Description: Returns a Worksheet object representing the worksheet you work with.
3. Item: Range(“A1CellReference”).
   • VBA Construct: Worksheet.Range property.
   • Description: Returns a Range object representing a cell within the column whose width you set. You specify the cell using an A1-style cell reference (A1CellReference) enclosed within quotations (“”).

Lines #2 and #4: For Counter = 1 To 3 | Next Counter

1. Item: For… Next Counter.
   • VBA Construct: For… Next statement.
   • Description: Repeats the statement within the loop (line #3 below) 3 times, as required by item #3 below.
2. Item: Counter.
   • VBA Construct: Counter of For… Next statement.
   • Description: Loop counter. If you explicitly declare a variable to represent the loop counter, use the Long data type.
3. Item: 1 To 3.
   • VBA Construct: Counter Start (1) and Counter End (3) of For… Next statement.
   • Description: The statement within the loop (line #3 below) is executed 3 times (1 To 3).
     • Theoretically, line #3 below should be enough to set the column width in inches without requiring the loop specified by these lines #2 and #4. In practice, this may not be the case. Some tests suggest that repeating line #3 below (or similar) 3 times generally gets you the closest to the specified column width.

Line #3: .ColumnWidth = Application.InchesToPoints(ColumnWidthInches) * (.ColumnWidth / .Width)

1. Item: .ColumnWidth.
   • VBA Construct: Range.ColumnWidth property.
   • Description:
     • Sets the width of the column containing the Range object within the opening statement of the With… End With block (line #1, item #3 above).
     • .ColumnWidth is included twice in the statement. In this first mention, (.ColumnWidth = …), ColumnWidth is the property to which a value is assigned. The value assigned to the ColumnWidth property is the value returned by the other items within this statement.
2. Item: Application.InchesToPoints.
   • VBA Construct: Application.InchesToPoints method.
   • Description: Converts the measurement specified by item #3 below from inches to points.
3. Item: ColumnWidthInches.
   • VBA Construct: Inches parameter of Application.InchesToPoints method.
   • Description: Specifies the width (in inches) of the columns containing the Range object within the opening statement of the With… End With block (line #1, item #3 above).
     • If you explicitly declare a variable to represent ColumnWidthInches, use a numeric data type that can handle the value you use to specify the column width in inches.
4. Item: .ColumnWidth.
   • VBA Construct: Range.ColumnWidth property.
   • Description:
     • Returns the width of the column containing the Range object within the opening statement of the With… End With block (line #1, item #3 above).
     • .ColumnWidth is included twice in the statement. In this second mention, (.ColumnWidth), ColumnWidth returns the current value of the property.
     • The ColumnWidth property returns the column width in units based on the size (width) of the font you use in the Normal style (for example, Calibri 11). Therefore, 1 unit of column width is equal to 1 character of the Normal style font. If your Normal style font is a proportional (not fixed-width) font, Excel considers the width of the character “0” (the number zero).
5. Item: .Width.
   • VBA Construct: Range.Width property.
   • Description:
     • Returns the width of the column containing the Range object within the opening statement of the With… End With block (line #1, item #3 above).
     • The Width property returns the column width in points.
6. Item: (.ColumnWidth / .Width).
   • VBA Construct: Numeric expression.
   • Description:
     • Both ColumnWidth (item #4 above) and Width (item #5 above) return the width of the column containing the Range object within the opening statement of the With… End With block (line #1, item #3 above).
     • The units in which ColumnWidth and Width return the column width differ.
       • ColumnWidth expresses the column width in units based on the size (width) of the font you use in the Normal style.
       • Width expresses the column width in points.
     • ColumnWidth divided by Width (.ColumnWidth / .Width) returns the factor by which you must multiply the desired column width expressed in inches/points (items #2 and #3 above) to obtain the appropriate column width in units based on the size (width) of the font you use in the Normal style. In other words, this expression converts Application.InchesToPoints(ColumnWidthInches) from points to the units required by the ColumnWidth property.

Macro Example

The following macro sets the width of column K of the worksheet named “Column width” to 1 inch.

Sub columnWidthInches()

    'Source: https://powerspreadsheets.com/
    'For further information: https://powerspreadsheets.com/excel-vba-column-width/

    Dim iCounter As Long

    With Worksheets("Column width").Range("K5")
        For iCounter = 1 To 3
            .columnWidth = Application.InchesToPoints(1) * (.columnWidth / .Width)
        Next iCounter
    End With

End Sub

Effects of Executing Macro Example

The following GIF illustrates the results of executing this macro example. As expected, VBA sets the width of column K to 1 inch.

#8: Set Column Width in Centimeters

VBA Code to Set Column Width in Centimeters

To set the width of a column in centimeters with VBA, use a macro with the following statement structure:

With Worksheet.Range("A1CellReference")
    For Counter = 1 To 3
        .ColumnWidth = Application.CentimetersToPoints(ColumnWidthCentimeters) * (.ColumnWidth / .Width)
    Next Counter
End With

Process Followed by VBA Code

specify column width in centimeters 3 times” width=”683″ height=”192″>

VBA Statement Explanation

Lines #1 and #5: With Worksheet.Range(“A1CellReference”) | End With

1. Item: With… End With.
   • VBA Construct: With… End With statement.
   • Description: Statements within the With… End With statement (lines # through #4 below) are executed on the Range object returned by item #3 below.
2. Item: Worksheet.
   • VBA Construct: Workbook.Worksheets property.
   • Description: Returns a Worksheet object representing the worksheet you work with.
3. Item: Range(“A1CellReference”).
   • VBA Construct: Worksheet.Range property.
   • Description: Returns a Range object representing a cell within the column whose width you set. You specify the cell using an A1-style cell reference (A1CellReference) enclosed within quotations (“”).

Lines #2 and #4: For Counter = 1 To 3 | Next Counter

1. Item: For… Next Counter.
   • VBA Construct: For… Next statement.
   • Description: Repeats the statement within the loop (line #3 below) 3 times, as required by item #3 below.
2. Item: Counter.
   • VBA Construct: Counter of For… Next statement.
   • Description: Loop counter. If you explicitly declare a variable to represent the loop counter, use the Long data type.
3. Item: 1 To 3.
   • VBA Construct: Counter Start (1) and Counter End (3) of For… Next statement.
   • Description: The statement within the loop (line #3 below) is executed 3 times (1 To 3).
     • Theoretically, line #3 below should be enough to set the column width in centimeters without requiring the loop specified by these lines #2 and #4. In practice, this may not be the case. Some tests suggest that repeating line #3 below (or similar) 3 times generally gets you the closest to the specified column width.

Line #3: .ColumnWidth = Application.CentimetersToPoints(ColumnWidthCentimeters) * (.ColumnWidth / .Width)

1. Item: .ColumnWidth.
   • VBA Construct: Range.ColumnWidth property.
   • Description:
     • Sets the width of the column containing the Range object within the opening statement of the With… End With block (line #1, item #3 above).
     • .ColumnWidth is included twice in the statement. In this first mention, (.ColumnWidth = …), ColumnWidth is the property to which a value is assigned. The value assigned to the ColumnWidth property is the value returned by the other items within this statement.
2. Item: Application.CentimetersToPoints.
   • VBA Construct: Application.CentimetersToPoints method.
   • Description: Converts the measurement specified by item #3 below from centimeters to points.
3. Item: ColumnWidthCentimeters.
   • VBA Construct: Centimeters parameter of Application.CentimetersToPoints method.
   • Description: Specifies the width (in centimeters) of the columns containing the Range object within the opening statement of the With… End With block (line #1, item #3 above).
     • If you explicitly declare a variable to represent ColumnWidthCentimeters, use a numeric data type that can handle the value you use to specify the column width in centimeters.
4. Item: .ColumnWidth.
   • VBA Construct: Range.ColumnWidth property.
   • Description:
     • Returns the width of the column containing the Range object within the opening statement of the With… End With block (line #1, item #3 above).
     • .ColumnWidth is included twice in the statement. In this second mention, (.ColumnWidth), ColumnWidth returns the current value of the property.
     • The ColumnWidth property returns the column width in units based on the size (width) of the font you use in the Normal style (for example, Calibri 11). Therefore, 1 unit of column width is equal to 1 character of the Normal style font. If your Normal style font is a proportional (not fixed-width) font, Excel considers the width of the character “0” (the number zero).
5. Item: .Width.
   • VBA Construct: Range.Width property.
   • Description:
     • Returns the width of the column containing the Range object within the opening statement of the With… End With block (line #1, item #3 above).
     • The Width property returns the column width in points.
6. Item: (.ColumnWidth / .Width).
   • VBA Construct: Numeric expression.
   • Description:
     • Both ColumnWidth (item #4 above) and Width (item #5 above) return the width of the column containing the Range object within the opening statement of the With… End With block (line #1, item #3 above).
     • The units in which ColumnWidth and Width return the column width differ.
       • ColumnWidth expresses the column width in units based on the size (width) of the font you use in the Normal style.
       • Width expresses the column width in points.
     • ColumnWidth divided by Width (.ColumnWidth / .Width) returns the factor by which you must multiply the desired column width expressed in centimeters/points (items #2 and #3 above) to obtain the appropriate column width in units based on the size (width) of the font you use in the Normal style. In other words, this expression converts Application.CentimetersToPoints(ColumnWidthCentimeters) from points to the units required by the ColumnWidth property.

Macro Example

The following macro sets the width of column L of the worksheet named “Column width” to 1 centimeter.

Sub columnWidthCentimeters()

    'Source: https://powerspreadsheets.com/
    'For further information: https://powerspreadsheets.com/excel-vba-column-width/

    Dim iCounter As Long

    With Worksheets("Column width").Range("L5")
        For iCounter = 1 To 3
            .columnWidth = Application.CentimetersToPoints(1) * (.columnWidth / .Width)
        Next iCounter
    End With

End Sub

Effects of Executing Macro Example

The following GIF illustrates the results of executing this macro example. As expected, VBA sets the width of column L to 1 centimeter.

Updated: August 2021; Works on Excel 365, 2019, 2016.

In today’s Excel automation tutorial we will learn how to quickly change the width of a worksheet column as needed – but programmatically using VBA (Visual Basic for Applications).

Prerequisites

In order to write VBA code, you’ll need to first and foremost, ensure that your developer tab is enabled. If you are unsure about the procedure, make sure to look into our detailed procedure.

• In your Windows computer, open Microsoft Excel.
• On the main Ribbon hit Developer.
• Hit the Visual Basic Command. This will open the VBA Editor.
• In the left hand side project explorer, highlight a specific sheet into which you’ll insert your code. Alternatively, you can insert a new module or add our code to an existing VBA module.

Setting one column width

In this example, we’ll select one column in the active Worksheet and modify it accordingly.

• Using the VBA Editor, Copy the following code to your worksheet or module.

Sub Set_Column_Width()

Dim MySheet As Worksheet
Set MySheet = ActiveSheet

' Select one or multiple columns, set your column width as needed

With MySheet.Columns("B")

    .ColumnWidth = 50
End With

End Sub

• Run your code by hitting on F5 or pick Run >> Run Sub or Form.
• Save your work by hitting File >> Save or the Disk icon.

Change width of a multiple column range

In this example we pick a range of columns , then change the width.

You can apply the code in the same fashion as described in the previous section.

Sub Set_Column_Range_Width()

Dim MySheet As Worksheet

Set MySheet = ActiveSheet

' Set your column width as needed
With MySheet.Range("A:F")

    .ColumnWidth = .ColumnWidth * 1.5
End With

End Sub

Next Steps

Starting out with VBA? Make sure to look into VBA basics for Excel guide.