Mounted Flexible: changing from Loose to Skirmish and the reverse

[Wizard of Oz]

 I am somewhat unsure about Flexible Mounted and their transformation between Loose and Skirmish and Skirmish and Loose.
If I decide to change my mounted Flexibles from Skirmish to Loose and I use an M1 to do so, if I have them 2 Files wide and 3 Ranks deep (to be able to fire at full effect), do they reform as Loose troops 3 Files wide and 2 Ranks deep, or would I need to use an additional M7 to expand while stationary, or an MF2 to move unengaged Bases to a single different file? And, similarly, if from Loose (3 Files wide and 2 Ranks deep) to Skirmish (2 Files wide and 3 Ranks deep)?
Either way, if you use an M1 in one Movement Phase and then in another Movement Phase use an M7 or an MF2 to get into the optimum formation, that is two Movement Phases of standing around if you wish to put them into what would seem to be their natural formation.
I'd be grateful to the brain's trust for any assistance here.

[lionheartrjc]

Switch flexible doesn't change frontage/depth.  You would need to use an additional M7 (or if in skirmish an M2) to expand.

You can switch from skirmish to loose (or if drilled loose to skirmish) as part of a double move.

Richard

[nikgaukroger]

A bit of planning ahead is useful with Flexibles