How To Merge Cells In Excel: A Step-by-Step Guide

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Published on October 22, 2025

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Merging cells in Microsoft Excel is a useful technique for creating visually appealing and organized spreadsheets. Whether you need to create a title that spans multiple columns, combine data, or simply improve the layout of your worksheet, understanding how to merge cells is an essential skill for any Excel user. This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step walkthrough of the merging process, ensuring you can confidently enhance your spreadsheets.

This process is quite simple, but it’s important to understand the implications of merging cells, such as data loss and potential sorting issues. By following the instructions outlined below, you’ll be able to merge cells efficiently and effectively, transforming your data into a more presentable and understandable format.

What’s the Best Way to Merge Cells in Excel?

Using the Merge & Center Button

This is the most common and straightforward method for merging cells in Excel.

Select the cells: Click and drag your mouse to select the contiguous cells you want to merge.
Locate the Merge & Center button: In the “Home” tab, find the “Alignment” group.
Click the Merge & Center button: This will merge the selected cells into one larger cell and center the content within it.
Verify the result: The selected cells should now be a single cell with the content centered.

Using the Merge Across Option

This option is useful when you want to merge cells in multiple rows without merging the rows together.

Select the cells: Select the range of cells you want to merge across multiple rows.
Click the Merge dropdown arrow: In the “Home” tab, within the “Alignment” group, click the dropdown arrow next to the “Merge & Center” button.
Choose “Merge Across”: Select “Merge Across” from the dropdown menu.
Inspect the outcome: Each row of selected cells should now be merged independently.

Using the Merge Cells Option

This merges cells without centering the content.

Select the cells: Select the cells that you want to merge.
Click the Merge dropdown arrow: In the “Home” tab, within the “Alignment” group, click the dropdown arrow next to the “Merge & Center” button.
Choose “Merge Cells”: Select “Merge Cells” from the dropdown menu.
Confirm the merge: The selected cells will be merged into one, with the content aligned to the left (or the default alignment).

Unmerging Cells

If you need to undo a merge, follow these steps:

Select the merged cell: Click on the cell that you want to unmerge.
Click the Merge dropdown arrow: In the “Home” tab, within the “Alignment” group, click the dropdown arrow next to the “Merge & Center” button.
Choose “Unmerge Cells”: Select “Unmerge Cells” from the dropdown menu.
Check the result: The merged cell will be split back into its original individual cells.

Using Format Cells Dialog Box

This method provides more control over the merging process.

Select the cells: Select the cells you wish to merge.
Open the Format Cells dialog box: Right-click on the selected cells and choose “Format Cells…” from the context menu.
Go to the Alignment tab: In the “Format Cells” dialog box, click on the “Alignment” tab.
Check the “Merge cells” box: Under the “Text control” section, check the box next to “Merge cells.”
Click “OK”: Click “OK” to apply the changes.

Tips for Merging Cells Effectively

Be mindful of data loss: When merging cells, only the content from the upper-leftmost cell is retained. All other data in the merged cells will be deleted.
Avoid merging cells in data tables: Merging cells can make sorting and filtering data difficult. It’s generally best to avoid merging cells in tables that require data manipulation.
Use merging sparingly: Overuse of merged cells can make your spreadsheet look unprofessional and can hinder data analysis.
Consider alternative formatting: Instead of merging cells, explore other formatting options like adjusting column widths, using borders, or applying different font styles to achieve the desired visual effect.

Choosing the Right Method

Here’s a quick comparison table to help you decide which method is best for your needs:

Method	Description	Best Use Case	Content Alignment
Merge & Center	Merges cells and centers the content.	Creating titles or headings that span multiple columns.	Centered
Merge Across	Merges cells in each row of the selected range.	Merging headings across multiple rows without merging the rows together.	Left (default)
Merge Cells	Merges cells without centering the content.	Combining cells where you want to control the alignment manually.	Left (default)
Format Cells Dialog Box	Provides more control over the merging process through the Format Cells menu.	When you need to access all alignment options in one place.	Depends on settings

Excel Cell Merging Made Easy

Merging cells in Excel is a straightforward process that can significantly enhance the visual appeal and organization of your spreadsheets. By understanding the different merging options and their implications, you can effectively use this feature to create professional-looking and easy-to-understand documents.

FAQ

What happens to the data in the cells when I merge them?

Only the data in the upper-leftmost cell is retained. All other data in the merged cells is deleted.

Can I merge cells in a table?

While you can, it’s generally not recommended as it can interfere with sorting and filtering.

How do I unmerge cells?

Select the merged cell, click the dropdown arrow next to the “Merge & Center” button, and choose “Unmerge Cells”.

Is there a way to merge cells without losing data?

No, Excel’s built-in merge function always discards data except for the top-left cell. You might need to copy and paste data manually before merging.

Can I merge cells using a formula or function?

No, merging cells is a formatting operation, not a function. You can’t merge cells directly using a formula.