diff --git a/common/eda_text.cpp b/common/eda_text.cpp
index acd9f65495..6f5f06b433 100644
--- a/common/eda_text.cpp
+++ b/common/eda_text.cpp
@@ -493,36 +493,6 @@ void EDA_TEXT::AddRenderCacheGlyph( const SHAPE_POLY_SET& aPoly )
 }
 
 
-wxString EDA_TEXT::ShortenedText() const
-{
-    wxString tmp = GetText();
-
-    tmp.Replace( wxT( "\n" ), wxT( " " ) );
-    tmp.Replace( wxT( "\r" ), wxT( " " ) );
-    tmp.Replace( wxT( "\t" ), wxT( " " ) );
-
-    if( tmp.Length() > 54 )
-        tmp = tmp.Left( 52 ) + wxT( "..." );
-
-    return tmp;
-}
-
-
-wxString EDA_TEXT::ShortenedShownText() const
-{
-    wxString tmp = GetShownText();
-
-    tmp.Replace( wxT( "\n" ), wxT( " " ) );
-    tmp.Replace( wxT( "\r" ), wxT( " " ) );
-    tmp.Replace( wxT( "\t" ), wxT( " " ) );
-
-    if( tmp.Length() > 36 )
-        tmp = tmp.Left( 34 ) + wxT( "..." );
-
-    return tmp;
-}
-
-
 int EDA_TEXT::GetInterline() const
 {
     return KiROUND( GetDrawFont()->GetInterline( GetTextHeight() ) );
diff --git a/common/widgets/ui_common.cpp b/common/widgets/ui_common.cpp
index 851206fe10..7743297ac9 100644
--- a/common/widgets/ui_common.cpp
+++ b/common/widgets/ui_common.cpp
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 /*
  * This program source code file is part of KiCad, a free EDA CAD application.
  *
- * Copyright (C) 2018 KiCad Developers, see AUTHORS.txt for contributors.
+ * Copyright (C) 2018-2022 KiCad Developers, see AUTHORS.txt for contributors.
  *
  * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it
  * under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@
 #include <wx/srchctrl.h>
 #include <wx/stc/stc.h>
 #include <wx/scrolbar.h>
-#include <wx/scrolwin.h>
 #include <wx/grid.h>
 #include <widgets/ui_common.h>
 
@@ -37,6 +36,7 @@
 #include <pgm_base.h>
 #include <wx/settings.h>
 #include <bitmaps/bitmap_types.h>
+#include <string_utils.h>
 
 int KIUI::GetStdMargin()
 {
@@ -182,6 +182,34 @@ bool KIUI::EnsureTextCtrlWidth( wxTextCtrl* aCtrl, const wxString* aString )
 }
 
 
+wxString KIUI::EllipsizeStatusText( wxWindow* aWindow, const wxString& aString )
+{
+    wxString msg = UnescapeString( aString );
+
+    msg.Replace( wxT( "\n" ), wxT( " " ) );
+    msg.Replace( wxT( "\r" ), wxT( " " ) );
+    msg.Replace( wxT( "\t" ), wxT( " " ) );
+
+    wxClientDC dc( aWindow );
+    return wxControl::Ellipsize( msg, dc, wxELLIPSIZE_END, aWindow->GetSize().GetWidth() / 3 );
+}
+
+
+wxString KIUI::EllipsizeMenuText( const wxString& aString )
+{
+    wxString msg = UnescapeString( aString );
+
+    msg.Replace( wxT( "\n" ), wxT( " " ) );
+    msg.Replace( wxT( "\r" ), wxT( " " ) );
+    msg.Replace( wxT( "\t" ), wxT( " " ) );
+
+    if( msg.Length() > 36 )
+        msg = msg.Left( 34 ) + wxT( "..." );
+
+    return msg;
+}
+
+
 void KIUI::SelectReferenceNumber( wxTextEntry* aTextEntry )
 {
     wxString ref = aTextEntry->GetValue();
diff --git a/eeschema/lib_field.cpp b/eeschema/lib_field.cpp
index 8baf7df7be..0641882da4 100644
--- a/eeschema/lib_field.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/lib_field.cpp
@@ -455,7 +455,7 @@ void LIB_FIELD::SetName( const wxString& aName )
 
 wxString LIB_FIELD::GetSelectMenuText( EDA_UNITS aUnits ) const
 {
-    return wxString::Format( "%s '%s'", GetName(), ShortenedShownText() );
+    return wxString::Format( "%s '%s'", GetName(), KIUI::EllipsizeMenuText( GetShownText() ) );
 }
 
 
diff --git a/eeschema/lib_text.cpp b/eeschema/lib_text.cpp
index 02bdc1272d..51f729ce40 100644
--- a/eeschema/lib_text.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/lib_text.cpp
@@ -422,7 +422,7 @@ const EDA_RECT LIB_TEXT::GetBoundingBox() const
 
 wxString LIB_TEXT::GetSelectMenuText( EDA_UNITS aUnits ) const
 {
-    return wxString::Format( _( "Graphic Text '%s'" ), ShortenedShownText() );
+    return wxString::Format( _( "Graphic Text '%s'" ), KIUI::EllipsizeMenuText( GetShownText() ) );
 }
 
 
diff --git a/eeschema/lib_textbox.cpp b/eeschema/lib_textbox.cpp
index 895393ab4a..3095accd0f 100644
--- a/eeschema/lib_textbox.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/lib_textbox.cpp
@@ -392,7 +392,7 @@ void LIB_TEXTBOX::GetMsgPanelInfo( EDA_DRAW_FRAME* aFrame, std::vector<MSG_PANEL
     EDA_UNITS units = aFrame->GetUserUnits();
 
     // Don't use GetShownText() here; we want to show the user the variable references
-    aList.emplace_back( _( "Text Box" ), UnescapeString( ShortenedText() ) );
+    aList.emplace_back( _( "Text Box" ), KIUI::EllipsizeStatusText( aFrame, GetText() ) );
 
     aList.emplace_back( _( "Font" ), GetDrawFont()->GetName() );
 
diff --git a/eeschema/sch_field.cpp b/eeschema/sch_field.cpp
index 35c343214e..6ebff7f45f 100644
--- a/eeschema/sch_field.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/sch_field.cpp
@@ -671,7 +671,7 @@ void SCH_FIELD::Rotate( const VECTOR2I& aCenter )
 
 wxString SCH_FIELD::GetSelectMenuText( EDA_UNITS aUnits ) const
 {
-    return wxString::Format( "%s '%s'", GetName(), ShortenedShownText() );
+    return wxString::Format( "%s '%s'", GetName(), KIUI::EllipsizeMenuText( GetShownText() ) );
 }
 
 
diff --git a/eeschema/sch_label.cpp b/eeschema/sch_label.cpp
index 17cd1b7a10..441cf895de 100644
--- a/eeschema/sch_label.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/sch_label.cpp
@@ -957,7 +957,7 @@ const EDA_RECT SCH_LABEL::GetBodyBoundingBox() const
 
 wxString SCH_LABEL::GetSelectMenuText( EDA_UNITS aUnits ) const
 {
-    return wxString::Format( _( "Label '%s'" ), ShortenedShownText() );
+    return wxString::Format( _( "Label '%s'" ), KIUI::EllipsizeMenuText( GetShownText() ) );
 }
 
 
@@ -1411,7 +1411,7 @@ void SCH_GLOBALLABEL::CreateGraphicShape( const RENDER_SETTINGS* aRenderSettings
 
 wxString SCH_GLOBALLABEL::GetSelectMenuText( EDA_UNITS aUnits ) const
 {
-    return wxString::Format( _( "Global Label '%s'" ), ShortenedShownText() );
+    return wxString::Format( _( "Global Label '%s'" ), KIUI::EllipsizeMenuText( GetShownText() ) );
 }
 
 
@@ -1544,7 +1544,8 @@ VECTOR2I SCH_HIERLABEL::GetSchematicTextOffset( const RENDER_SETTINGS* aSettings
 
 wxString SCH_HIERLABEL::GetSelectMenuText( EDA_UNITS aUnits ) const
 {
-    return wxString::Format( _( "Hierarchical Label '%s'" ), ShortenedShownText() );
+    return wxString::Format( _( "Hierarchical Label '%s'" ),
+                             KIUI::EllipsizeMenuText( GetShownText() ) );
 }
 
 
diff --git a/eeschema/sch_sheet_pin.cpp b/eeschema/sch_sheet_pin.cpp
index e2a02ca88a..af11f3b032 100644
--- a/eeschema/sch_sheet_pin.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/sch_sheet_pin.cpp
@@ -327,7 +327,8 @@ void SCH_SHEET_PIN::GetEndPoints( std::vector<DANGLING_END_ITEM>& aItemList )
 
 wxString SCH_SHEET_PIN::GetSelectMenuText( EDA_UNITS aUnits ) const
 {
-    return wxString::Format( _( "Hierarchical Sheet Pin %s" ), ShortenedShownText() );
+    return wxString::Format( _( "Hierarchical Sheet Pin %s" ),
+                             KIUI::EllipsizeMenuText( GetShownText() ) );
 }
 
 
diff --git a/eeschema/sch_text.cpp b/eeschema/sch_text.cpp
index da928ce47d..9f544dee9a 100644
--- a/eeschema/sch_text.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/sch_text.cpp
@@ -383,7 +383,7 @@ wxString SCH_TEXT::GetShownText( int aDepth ) const
 
 wxString SCH_TEXT::GetSelectMenuText( EDA_UNITS aUnits ) const
 {
-    return wxString::Format( _( "Graphic Text '%s'" ), ShortenedShownText() );
+    return wxString::Format( _( "Graphic Text '%s'" ), KIUI::EllipsizeMenuText( GetShownText() ) );
 }
 
 
@@ -475,7 +475,7 @@ void SCH_TEXT::GetMsgPanelInfo( EDA_DRAW_FRAME* aFrame, std::vector<MSG_PANEL_IT
     wxString msg;
 
     // Don't use GetShownText() here; we want to show the user the variable references
-    aList.emplace_back( _( "Graphic Text" ), UnescapeString( ShortenedText() ) );
+    aList.emplace_back( _( "Graphic Text" ), KIUI::EllipsizeStatusText( aFrame, GetText() ) );
 
     aList.emplace_back( _( "Font" ), GetDrawFont()->GetName() );
 
diff --git a/eeschema/sch_textbox.cpp b/eeschema/sch_textbox.cpp
index 26b688311b..1a7537153a 100644
--- a/eeschema/sch_textbox.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/sch_textbox.cpp
@@ -390,7 +390,7 @@ void SCH_TEXTBOX::GetMsgPanelInfo( EDA_DRAW_FRAME* aFrame, std::vector<MSG_PANEL
     EDA_UNITS units = aFrame->GetUserUnits();
 
     // Don't use GetShownText() here; we want to show the user the variable references
-    aList.emplace_back( _( "Text Box" ), UnescapeString( ShortenedText() ) );
+    aList.emplace_back( _( "Text Box" ), KIUI::EllipsizeStatusText( aFrame, GetText() ) );
 
     aList.emplace_back( _( "Font" ), GetDrawFont()->GetName() );
 
diff --git a/include/eda_text.h b/include/eda_text.h
index 3cdf7011d8..4e91685092 100644
--- a/include/eda_text.h
+++ b/include/eda_text.h
@@ -87,11 +87,6 @@ public:
      */
     virtual const wxString& GetText() const { return m_text; }
 
-    /**
-     * Returns a shortened version (max 54 characters) of the shown text
-     */
-    wxString ShortenedText() const;
-
     /**
      * Return the string actually shown after processing of the base text.
      *
@@ -100,11 +95,6 @@ public:
      */
     virtual wxString GetShownText( int aDepth = 0 ) const { return m_shown_text; }
 
-    /**
-     * Returns a shortened version (max 36 characters) of the shown text
-     */
-    wxString ShortenedShownText() const;
-
     /**
      * Indicates the ShownText has text var references which need to be processed.
      */
diff --git a/include/widgets/ui_common.h b/include/widgets/ui_common.h
index 4b4a811182..cab2e134fd 100644
--- a/include/widgets/ui_common.h
+++ b/include/widgets/ui_common.h
@@ -77,6 +77,20 @@ bool EnsureTextCtrlWidth( wxTextCtrl* aCtrl, const wxString* aString = nullptr )
  */
 void SelectReferenceNumber( wxTextEntry* aTextEntry );
 
+/**
+ * Ellipsize text (at the end) to be no more than 1/3 of the window width.
+ *
+ * @return shortened text ending with an ellipsis.
+ */
+wxString EllipsizeStatusText( wxWindow* aWindow, const wxString& aString );
+
+/**
+ * Ellipsize text (at the end) to be no more than 36 characters.
+ *
+ * @return shortened text ending with an ellipsis.
+ */
+wxString EllipsizeMenuText( const wxString& aString );
+
 /**
  * Check if a input control has focus.
  *
diff --git a/pcbnew/fp_text.cpp b/pcbnew/fp_text.cpp
index d99005b2e9..40e858e47b 100644
--- a/pcbnew/fp_text.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/fp_text.cpp
@@ -316,7 +316,7 @@ wxString FP_TEXT::GetSelectMenuText( EDA_UNITS aUnits ) const
 
     default:
         return wxString::Format( _( "Footprint Text '%s' of %s" ),
-                                 ShortenedShownText(),
+                                 KIUI::EllipsizeMenuText( GetShownText() ),
                                  static_cast<FOOTPRINT*>( GetParent() )->GetReference() );
     }
 }
diff --git a/pcbnew/pcb_text.cpp b/pcbnew/pcb_text.cpp
index 724b48ff54..f9582dc1ca 100644
--- a/pcbnew/pcb_text.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/pcb_text.cpp
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ void PCB_TEXT::GetMsgPanelInfo( EDA_DRAW_FRAME* aFrame, std::vector<MSG_PANEL_IT
     EDA_UNITS units = aFrame->GetUserUnits();
 
     // Don't use GetShownText() here; we want to show the user the variable references
-    aList.emplace_back( _( "PCB Text" ), UnescapeString( GetText() ) );
+    aList.emplace_back( _( "PCB Text" ), KIUI::EllipsizeStatusText( aFrame, GetText() ) );
 
     if( aFrame->GetName() == PCB_EDIT_FRAME_NAME && IsLocked() )
         aList.emplace_back( _( "Status" ), _( "Locked" ) );
@@ -233,7 +233,9 @@ void PCB_TEXT::Flip( const VECTOR2I& aCentre, bool aFlipLeftRight )
 
 wxString PCB_TEXT::GetSelectMenuText( EDA_UNITS aUnits ) const
 {
-    return wxString::Format( _( "PCB Text '%s' on %s"), ShortenedShownText(), GetLayerName() );
+    return wxString::Format( _( "PCB Text '%s' on %s"),
+                             KIUI::EllipsizeMenuText( GetShownText() ),
+                             GetLayerName() );
 }
 
 
diff --git a/pcbnew/pcb_textbox.cpp b/pcbnew/pcb_textbox.cpp
index 368fdc6d1a..ff83aa20e2 100644
--- a/pcbnew/pcb_textbox.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/pcb_textbox.cpp
@@ -298,7 +298,7 @@ void PCB_TEXTBOX::GetMsgPanelInfo( EDA_DRAW_FRAME* aFrame, std::vector<MSG_PANEL
     EDA_UNITS units = aFrame->GetUserUnits();
 
     // Don't use GetShownText() here; we want to show the user the variable references
-    aList.emplace_back( _( "Text Box" ), UnescapeString( GetText() ) );
+    aList.emplace_back( _( "Text Box" ), KIUI::EllipsizeStatusText( aFrame, GetText() ) );
 
     if( aFrame->GetName() == PCB_EDIT_FRAME_NAME && IsLocked() )
         aList.emplace_back( _( "Status" ), _( "Locked" ) );