How to Merge 2 Cells in Excel

Excel can be a daunting program to navigate if you’re not familiar with its features. But one task that every Excel user should know how to do is merging cells. Merging cells allows you to combine two or more cells into one, which can be helpful when you want to make headers or organize data. This blog post will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to merge two cells in Excel.

Step 1: Highlight the cells you want to merge

The first step in merging two cells in Excel is to select the cells you want to merge. You can do this by clicking and dragging over the cells or clicking on each individual cell while holding down the Ctrl key. Once you’ve selected the cells, you’re ready to merge them together.

Step 2: Click on the “Merge and Center” button

Next, you’ll need to click on the “Merge and Center” button, which is located in the “Alignment” group in the “Home” tab. This will merge the cells you selected and center the text in the new, merged cell. You can also choose other options, such as “Merge Across” or “Merge Cells” depending on your needs.

Step 3: Adjust the cell formatting (optional)

After merging the cells, you may want to adjust the formatting of the new, merged cell. For example, you may want to change the font size, add a border, or adjust the text alignment. To do this, select the merged cell and use the formatting tools available in the “Font” and “Alignment” groups on the “Home” tab.

Pro tip:

If you find that the merged cell is too small to fit all the text, you can adjust the row height by hovering your mouse over the border between two rows until the cursor turns into a double arrow, then clicking and dragging the border to make the row taller.

Conclusion:

Merging cells in Excel is a quick and easy way to organize your data and make your worksheets more visually appealing. With the help of this step-by-step guide, you’re now ready to merge cells like a pro. Happy merging!

Merging cells across multiple rows or columns

What if you need to merge cells across multiple rows or columns? The process is similar to merging two cells, but with a few additional steps.

To merge cells across multiple rows, simply select the cells you want to merge and click on the “Merge Across” or “Merge Cells” option instead of “Merge and Center.” “Merge Across” will merge the selected cells, but keep the text aligned to the left, while “Merge Cells” will merge the cells and center the text.

To merge cells across multiple columns, follow the same steps as above, but select the columns you want to merge instead of the cells.

Undoing a cell merge

Accidentally merged the wrong cells? No problem! You can easily undo a cell merge by clicking on the “Undo” button in the top left corner of the window or by pressing Ctrl + Z on your keyboard.

When to avoid merging cells

While merging cells can be helpful for organizing your data, it’s important to know when it’s not the best option. Avoid merging cells that contain data that needs to be sorted or filtered, as this can cause issues with your data. Instead, consider using headers or a table format to organize your data.

Final thoughts

Merging cells in Excel is a simple task that can make a big difference in the appearance and organization of your worksheets. But remember to use this feature wisely and avoid merging cells that may cause problems down the line. With these tips and tricks, you’re ready to take your Excel skills to the next level!

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Can I merge cells in Excel without losing data?

Yes, you can. When you merge cells in Excel, any data contained in the cells will be merged into the new, single cell. However, if you have data in cells that you do not want to merge, you must move that data to a cell that will not be merged before merging the cells you want to merge.

Can I merge cells in Excel that contain formulas?

Yes, you can merge cells that contain formulas. The formulas will be retained in the merged cell, and the cell reference in the formula will automatically adjust to refer to the new, merged cell.

Can I unmerge cells in Excel?

Yes, you can easily unmerge cells in Excel. First, select the merged cell, then click on the “Unmerge Cells” button in the “Alignment” group under the “Home” tab. This will unmerge the cells and return them to their original state.

What happens to the formatting of the merged cell?

When you merge cells in Excel, the formatting of the first cell you select to merge is applied to the new, merged cell. This includes any font size, color, and style, as well as any cell borders or shading. You can adjust the formatting of the merged cell as needed.

Can I sort or filter merged cells?

No, you cannot sort or filter merged cells in Excel. If you attempt to sort or filter a worksheet that contains merged cells, you will receive an error message. To avoid this issue, avoid merging cells that contain data that needs to be sorted or filtered.