Merging cells in Google Sheets is a handy trick to make your data look cleaner and more organized. It’s a simple process that involves selecting the cells you want to combine and then using the “merge” feature. After you merge the cells, the content from the upper-left cell will be the only content visible in the merged cell, while the other content will be cleared out. So, let’s get started on how to merge cells in Google Sheets!
Step by Step Tutorial: How to Merge Cells in Google Sheets
Before we dive into the steps, let’s briefly discuss what merging cells does. It allows you to combine two or more cells into one larger cell. This is helpful when you have headings or labels that span across multiple columns or rows. By merging cells, you can center your headings and make your spreadsheet look more professional.
Step 1: Select the Cells You Want to Merge
Click and drag your mouse to highlight the cells you want to combine.
Selecting the cells is the first step in merging them. Make sure you select the cells that you want to combine; otherwise, you might merge the wrong cells and mess up your data.
Step 2: Click on the “Merge Cells” Button
After you have selected the cells, click on the “Merge cells” button in the toolbar.
The “Merge cells” button looks like two arrows pointing towards each other. When you click on it, a dropdown menu will appear with different options for merging cells. You can choose to merge the cells horizontally, vertically, or all together into one cell.
Step 3: Choose the Merge Option You Want
Select the merge option that fits your needs from the dropdown menu.
There are three merge options available in Google Sheets: Merge all, Merge horizontally, and Merge vertically. “Merge all” combines all the selected cells into one big cell. “Merge horizontally” combines the selected cells in each row into one cell. “Merge vertically” combines the selected cells in each column into one cell.
After you complete these steps, the selected cells will be merged into one. The content from the upper-left cell will remain, and the content from the other cells will be cleared out. Now, the merged cell can be formatted just like any other cell in your spreadsheet.
Tips: How to Merge Cells in Google Sheets
- Before merging cells, make sure you don’t need the data that will be cleared out from the other cells.
- You can use the “Merge all” option to create a title for your spreadsheet that spans across multiple columns.
- If you make a mistake and want to unmerge the cells, simply click on the merged cell and then click on the “Merge cells” button again to select the “Unmerge” option.
- Remember that you cannot sort a range that contains merged cells, so only merge cells when necessary.
- You can use keyboard shortcuts to merge cells quickly. Select the cells and then press “Alt” + “O” + “M” and then the corresponding number for the merge option you want (1 for Merge all, 2 for Merge horizontally, and 3 for Merge vertically).
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to the data in the other cells when I merge them?
The content from the other cells will be cleared out, and only the content from the upper-left cell will remain in the merged cell.
Can I merge cells that are not next to each other?
No, you can only merge adjacent cells.
How do I unmerge cells?
Click on the merged cell and then click on the “Merge cells” button again to select the “Unmerge” option.
Can I still edit the content in a merged cell?
Yes, you can edit the content in a merged cell just like any other cell.
Can I merge cells across multiple sheets?
No, you can only merge cells within the same sheet.
Summary
- Select the cells you want to merge.
- Click on the “Merge cells” button.
- Choose the merge option you want.
Conclusion
Merging cells in Google Sheets is a simple and effective way to organize your data and make your spreadsheet look more polished. Whether you’re creating a title for your spreadsheet, centering headings, or just combining data, merging cells can be incredibly useful. Just remember to think carefully before you merge, as it will clear out the data in all but the upper-left cell. With these steps and tips in mind, you’re now ready to merge cells like a pro. So go ahead and give it a try – you’ll be amazed at how much cleaner and more organized your spreadsheets will look!
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.