You cannot format an empty cell. Enter the data first and then format it.

"leo" wrote:

In excel i want to merge cells a1 thru a5 and wrap the text in the newly
created cell. I highlight the cells go to format /cells/alignment and check
wrap text and merge cells. The cells are merged but when I type a long string
it does not wrap auotmatically increase the hieght of the row so i can see
everything i typed in.