Google Slides table row height

How do you adjust row height in Google Slides?

To make a table row taller or shorter, drag its boundary line. Google’s help page explains how to do this in both the Android app and on a computer; the touch and mouse steps differ. So, follow the method for the device you’re using. Add and edit a table

Before you start: find the right table and row

Open your presentation and locate the table on the slide you want to edit. Row height changes the space between the row’s top and bottom boundaries; it does not edit the text itself. Identifying what is wrong with a particular row can help you avoid making it taller or shorter than necessary.

• If the text looks cramped or is not sufficiently visible in the row, try making the row taller.
• If there is too much empty space compared with the content, try making the row shorter.
• If the long text is in just one cell, consider whether shortening the text or reviewing the column layout would be more appropriate before changing the height.

These are editing suggestions; the appropriate height depends on the table’s content and its placement on the slide.

Change row height in the Android app

1. Open the presentation in the Google Slides app on your Android phone or tablet.
2. Tap the existing table.
3. Tap near the top of the row you want to change.
4. Tap and drag the line at the edge of the row to adjust its height.
5. Check the result; drag the line again if needed.

Google’s Android instructions say to tap near the top of a row or column after selecting the table, then drag the boundary line. To change row height, target the row’s horizontal boundary. If a different boundary moves instead of the one you want, stop and check your selection and the line you are targeting.

Change row height on a computer

1. Open the presentation in Google Slides on your computer.
2. Find the table and move the pointer over the guide line for the row you want to change.
3. When the pointer changes to a double-headed arrow, click and drag the line.
4. Release it when the row reaches the height you want, then review the result.

These computer steps are included in Google’s instructions for resizing table rows and columns. Don’t try to use the Android touch steps in the computer interface; follow the method for the platform you’re using.

Example: a long note in a weekly planner table

Hypothetical example: Imagine a weekly planner table on a slide with “Day,” “Task,” and “Note” columns. The note cell in the “Tuesday” row contains a longer explanation than the others, and the row looks cramped.

First, consider whether you can shorten the note without changing its meaning. If the full explanation is needed, use the steps above for your device to drag the boundary of the Tuesday row down slightly. Check the cell again after each change. If the text is easier to see and there is no unnecessary empty space in the row, you may not need to make it any taller. Finally, compare its appearance with other rows that serve the same purpose. This example does not recommend a specific measurement or fixed height; the appropriate setting varies according to the text and slide layout.

Troubleshooting and reviewing the layout

If a column changes instead of a row: Check which line you are targeting. Start the resizing action on the boundary line of the row you want to change.

If you can’t select the line: Refocus on the table and target row, then try again on the line. If the controls look different on your device, check the selection and boundary lines in the interface you’re using; don’t assume there is a menu option you can’t see.

If the text is still difficult to read: Changing the height alone may not be enough. Consider whether shortening the text or reviewing the column layout would help. Google’s accessibility recommendations note that large, left-aligned text may support readability in presentations. These recommendations do not define one correct row height for every table.

After editing, view the slide in presentation mode to check that the text is readable, the row looks appropriate for its content, and the table is positioned well on the slide. This final review helps you see whether the adjustment meets your expectations in the presentation view, too.

Final checklist

• I selected the right presentation, slide, and table.
• I followed the steps for the device I’m using.
• I dragged the boundary line of the target row.
• I checked the text visibility and the empty space in the row.
• I reviewed the result again in presentation view.

If you’re continuing to edit the presentation’s content, see the guide to creating a table of contents slide in Google Slides. For working with linked content from a spreadsheet, see adding and updating a linked table in Google Slides.

Frequently asked questions

Can I drag the row line on a computer, too?

Yes. According to Google’s computer instructions, move the pointer over the row’s guide line; when the double-headed arrow appears, click and drag the line. On Android, tap the table and row, then drag the boundary line.

Does changing row height fix the text?

No. This changes the space the row occupies; it does not rewrite the text in the cell. If the text still looks cramped, consider whether shortening it or reviewing the column layout would be appropriate.