There could be a few reasons why you're unable to change the column width in Microsoft Excel. Here are some possible solutions:

1. Locked cells: If the cells in the column you're trying to adjust are locked, you won't be able to change the column width. To unlock the cells, select the cells, right-click, and choose "Format Cells." In the Format Cells dialog box, go to the Protection tab and uncheck the "Locked" checkbox. Click OK, and you should be able to adjust the column width.
   
2. Hidden columns: If the column you're trying to adjust is hidden, you won't be able to change its width. To unhide the column, select the columns on either side of the hidden column, right-click, and choose "Unhide." The hidden column should now be visible, and you can adjust its width.
   
3. Autofit: If the column width is set to "Autofit," Excel will automatically adjust the column width based on the content in the cells. To turn off Autofit, select the column, right-click, and choose "Column Width." In the Column Width dialog box, enter a specific width for the column and click OK.
   
4. Protected sheet: If the worksheet you're working on is protected, you won't be able to change the column width. To unprotect the sheet, go to the Review tab and click "Unprotect Sheet." You may need to enter a password if the sheet is password-protected.

I hope one of these solutions helps you resolve the issue. Let me know if you have any other questions!

How do you notice you can't?

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Kind regards,

Niek Otten
Microsoft MVP - Excel

"Carole S" <Carole wrote in message ...
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I cannot change the column widtyh by dragging with the mouse. When I go to
Format Column all the menu options show in gray and are not accessible.

"Niek Otten" wrote:

How do you notice you can't?

--
Kind regards,

Niek Otten
Microsoft MVP - Excel

"Carole S" <Carole wrote in message ...
|

Probably the sheet or even the workbook is protected. If you're lucky there is no password.
ToolsProtection

--
Kind regards,

Niek Otten
Microsoft MVP - Excel

"Carole S" wrote in message ...
|I cannot change the column widtyh by dragging with the mouse. When I go to
| Format Column all the menu options show in gray and are not accessible.
|
| "Niek Otten" wrote:
|
| How do you notice you can't?
|
| --
| Kind regards,
|
| Niek Otten
| Microsoft MVP - Excel
|
| "Carole S" <Carole wrote in message ...
| |
|
|
|