How to Merge Cells on an Excel Spreadsheet

Microsoft Excel can merge cells to create one larger cell.

Microsoft Excel 2010 can merge two or more cells to create one larger cell on a worksheet. For example, one wide cell in a row can contain a long title that aligns above two or more columns. The "Home" tab on the command ribbon contains the "Merge & Center" button that unites the adjacent cells. Only the data contained in the upper-left cell remains intact. A selected range of adjacent cells can also merge anywhere on the worksheet.

Instructions

1. Click the "Home" tab on the command ribbon.

2. Click and drag to select two or more adjacent cells. A black border surrounds the range of cells. The highlighted cells display one white cell in the upper-left corner and one or more blue cells. Only this white cell retains its data.

3. Click the down-arrow in the "Merge & Center" command in the "Alignment" group. The three merge options include "Merge & Center," "Merge Across" and "Merge Cells."

4. Click the preferred merge option. The cells become one larger cell.

Tips & Warnings

• Create the merged cell before entering data.

• Edit the merged cell by clicking the window launcher arrow located in the bottom corner of the "Alignment" group. Format the merged cell with the alignment, font, border or fill options to create a specific look on the worksheet.

• To remove the merge format and retain the data, select the merged cell. Click the "Merge & Center" button on the command ribbon. Click the "Unmerge Cells" option. You can also click the "Clear" button in the "Editing" group. Click the "Clear Formats" option.

References

• Microsoft Office: Support, Excel 2010, Merge and Unmerge Cells

Resources

• Microsoft Office: Support, Excel 2010, Video: Merge Cells or Split Merged Data