Multiple text lines in MS Excel rows by default

Question

I have an excel sheet which I use to write notes. I want either of the two things.

1. All rows to be multi-line (ideally 2 lines high) so if the content doesn't fit it one row, it automatically wraps to the next line

2. All rows to be single line except if the content doesn't fit in one row, it automatically wraps to the next line. The only difference is that this will only affect the row which has longer content, instead of all the rows.

Note: I don't want to press Alt+Enter or do anything manually each time. It should happen automatically.

Answer 1

Select the area you want to be multi-lined.

Then click wrap text.

Answer 2

I had to dig this out of the Wayback Machine, as the original tech site (http://www.tech-archive.net/Archive/Excel/microsoft.public.excel.setup/2004-06/0118.html) was down. Thought it worth reposting. Credit Gord Dibben.

From: Gord Dibben (gorddibbATshawDOTca)
Date: 06/17/04 
In reply to: L Schmandt: "how to default all cells to wrap text?" 
Date: Thu, 17 Jun 2004 08:15:03 -0700

Hit CRTL + A to select all cells. Format>Alignment>Wrap Text. To make this the default for all new workbooks and sheets.... Open a new workbook. Customize as you wish. File>Save As Type: scroll down to Excel Template(*.XLT) and select. Name your workbook "BOOK"(no quotes). Excel will add the .XLT to save as BOOK.XLT. Store this workbook in the XLSTART folder usually located at........ C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Microsoft\Excel\XLSTART This will be the default workbook for File>New>Workbook. You can also open a new workbook and delete all but one sheet. Customize as you wish then save this as SHEET.XLT in XLSTART folder also. It now becomes the default Insert>Sheet. More can be found on this in Help under "templates"(no quotes). Gord Dibben Excel MVP