How To Merge Two Cells In Excel: Step-By-Step Guide

by Jacky Chou
Updated on

Key Takeaway:

  • Merging cells in Excel provides a way to combine two or more adjacent cells into a single cell, making it easier to format data and improve spreadsheet organization.
  • The “Merge & Center” feature is the quickest and easiest way to merge cells in Excel. Select the cells to be merged, click on the “Merge & Center” button, and choose the desired formatting option.
  • If the “Merge & Center” button is not available or not working, an alternative method is available. Select the cells to be merged, click on the “Home” tab, and choose “Merge Cells” from the “Alignment” group.

You know how difficult juggling multiple projects can be? Keeping track of every task can be a nightmare, and creating spreadsheets in Excel is a great way to stay organized. In this guide, we’ll show you how to easily merge two cells in Excel.

Basics of Excel

Excel Fundamentals: A Professional Overview

Excel is a widely used spreadsheet software that offers a range of functions and features to manage data effectively. With Excel, users can perform calculations, create charts and graphs, analyze data trends, and much more.

To make the most of Excel, it is essential to understand its fundamentals. This involves learning basic terminologies, understanding the software layout, and being familiar with its various areas and functionalities.

If you are new to Excel, the first thing you need to know is its different components. Excel comprises columns, rows, cells, and worksheets, which together create a grid-like structure. A cell is the intersection of a column and a row and is used to enter data, formulas, and formatting.

In addition, Excel has several tabs and ribbons that allow you to access various tools and functions, such as formatting, formulas, charts, and more. Familiarizing yourself with these tabs can help you navigate Excel more easily and create effective spreadsheets.

Did you know that Microsoft Excel was introduced in 1985 and has since become an industry standard for spreadsheets and data analysis?

Overall, mastering the basics of Excel is a crucial step in using this software effectively and maximizing its potential for data management and analysis. Once you get a handle on its core components, you can then delve into more advanced functions and features, such as merging cells, which can save you time and enhance your productivity.

To learn more about merging cells, check out our article on “How to Merge Two Columns in Excel: Step-by-Step Guide.”

How to Merge Two Cells in Excel

Merging cells in Excel is easy! Just three steps:

  1. Select the cells you want to merge.
  2. Click “Merge & Center”.
  3. Select your formatting option.

Merging cells gives your data a uniform look and makes it more organized and presentable.

Step 1: Select the cells to be merged

To start merging two cells in Excel, you need to select the cells first and then perform the merge option. Here’s how you can select the cells to be merged:

  1. Click and hold down your left mouse button over the first cell.
  2. Drag your cursor across all the cells you want to merge.
  3. Once you have highlighted all of them, release the mouse button.
  4. The selected cells should now appear shaded or colored.
  5. Make sure to click on any one of the highlighted cells.
  6. Proceed with merging these selected cells.

It’s important to note that when merging two or more cells, only their contents from the top-leftmost cell will remain visible, and all other content will be deleted. Ensure that this is desired before proceeding with the merge.

Selecting multiple non-adjacent cells can be done by holding down your Control key while clicking on each individual cell.

Did you know Microsoft Excel was first released for Macintosh in 1985?

Merge & Center: the power move that will make your spreadsheet cells feel loved and appreciated.

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

To merge two cells in Excel and centralize the combined content, follow these six steps:

  1. Select the cells you want to merge.
  2. Click on the ‘Home’ tab in the ribbon menu.
  3. Locate the ‘Alignment’ group in the toolbar.
  4. Click on the ‘Merge & Center’ button. This will combine your selected cells into a central position.
  5. If you only want to merge the selected cells without centering them, click on ‘Merge Cells’ instead.
  6. Done! Your merged cell is ready for use.

Remember that when merging cells, all of their original content will be combined into one cell, so ensure that this is what you intend before proceeding.

One thing to keep in mind is that if your selected cells have neighboring data or formatting, merging them may cause undesired changes. Always check ahead of time for any potential conflicts.

Pro Tip: When dealing with large datasets, inserting empty rows and columns between merged cells can improve readability and make navigating your table much easier.

Make your data pop like champagne by choosing the perfect formatting option in Excel’s merging process.

Step 3: Choose the desired formatting option

After merging the two cells, the next step is to choose the desired formatting option for your merged cells. This will help you customize your table and make it more presentable.

Here is a six-step guide on how to choose the desired formatting option for your merged cells:

  1. Select the merged cell or cells by clicking on them
  2. Right-click on the selected cells and choose ‘Format Cells’
  3. Under the ‘Alignment’ tab, select any of the horizontal options such as ‘Center’, ‘Left’, or ‘Right’ to align the text in your merged cell
  4. If you would like to wrap text within your merged cell, check off ‘Wrap text’
  5. You can also merge vertically by selecting ‘Center Across Selection’ from the horizontal dropdown menu under ‘Text Alignment’
  6. Once you have made all necessary adjustments, click ‘OK’ to apply your formatting changes

It’s important to note that choosing a proper format for your table makes it easier to read and better presents data. Customizing merging options provides more control over how data is presented in Excel tables.

When adjusting the formatting options, try experimenting with different fonts and colors to make your table stand out. A well-organized table will enhance understanding of complex data sets.

By following this guide successfully, you can create cleaner look tables that are visually appealing and present data more efficiently. Don’t miss out on impressing your colleagues with an organized and professional-looking table!

Why settle for just merging cells when you can fuse them together like a science experiment gone wrong?

Alternative Method for Merging Cells

Merge two cells in Excel without hassle! Select the cells you want merged. Go to the “Home” tab. From the “Alignment” group pick “Merge Cells.” Voila! You just merged the cells. Easy-peasy!

Step 1: Select the cells to be merged

To begin with, choose the cells that you want to merge in Excel.

To select the cells that need merging:

  1. Open Microsoft Excel on your computer.
  2. Locate and open the worksheet that contains the cells you want to merge.
  3. Click on the first cell in the range of cells you’d like to merge.
  4. Drag your cursor across all of the adjacent cells that you’d also like to merge into one cell.
  5. Release your cursor when all of the desired cells are selected.

In addition, it’s worth noting that subsets of a larger merged cell can still be further modified as needed.

According to techadvisor.com, “Excel is used by millions of people worldwide for simplified data processing and analysis.”

Ready for some serious home clicking? Step 2 is where the real Excel magic happens.

Step 2: Click on the “Home” tab

Click on the ‘Home’ tab – the tab is located in the upper left-hand corner of Excel. This tab contains formatting options and other tools needed for any formatting changes to your worksheet.

  1. Open Microsoft Excel.
  2. Load the spreadsheet you want to adjust.
  3. Click on the ‘Home’ tab.
  4. Select the cells you want to merge by clicking on each cell while holding down CTRL (CMD for Mac).
  5. Click on the ‘Merge and Center’ button. The button can be found in the Alignment section in Excel.
  6. The selected cells will merge into a single large cell, which spans horizontally across all columns within your selection.

To ensure proper alignment, you may need to center-align your data within this newly created cell.

In addition to merging cells, users can apply various formatting options to create a clean and professional appearance.

According to Microsoft, Excel is used by over 1.2 billion people worldwide as of 2021.

Merge cells like a pro and impress your boss (or confuse your co-workers) with this simple Excel hack.

Step 3: Choose “Merge Cells” from the “Alignment” group

After selecting the cells that you want to merge, proceed to the “Alignment” group, which can be found in the “Home” tab. Choose a Semantic NLP variant of ‘Step 3: Choose “Merge Cells” from the “Alignment” group’.

  1. Click on the “Merge & Center” option if you want to merge two or more cells and center its content.
  2. If you do not want centered content, click on the dropdown arrow next to “Merge & Center”, then select “Merge Cells”.
  3. The selected cells will be merged into a single cell with all their contents inside it.
  4. To unmerge cells, select them and then click on the dropdown arrow next to “Merge & Center”. Then choose the “Unmerge Cells” option.

Keep in mind that any data outside of the top-leftmost cell will be deleted after merging cells using this method. Use caution when merging as it may affect your data.

A reliable source states that Excel has been around since 1985 and is considered one of Microsoft’s most popular softwares today.

Five Facts About How To Merge Two Cells in Excel: Step-by-Step Guide:

  • ✅ Merging two or more cells in Excel allows you to create a single cell by combining multiple cells. (Source: Microsoft Support)
  • ✅ You can merge cells in Excel by selecting the cells you want to merge, clicking the “Merge and Center” button in the Home tab, and choosing the desired merge option. (Source: How-To Geek)
  • ✅ Merged cells can cause problems when sorting or filtering data in Excel, so it is essential to use them judiciously. (Source: Excel Campus)
  • ✅ You can also merge cells using the “Format Cells” dialog box in Excel. (Source: Lifewire)
  • ✅ Merging cells in Excel is a useful feature for creating reports, labels, and forms. (Source: Excel Easy)

FAQs about How To Merge Two Cells In Excel: Step-By-Step Guide

How do I merge two cells in Excel?

To merge two cells in Excel, follow these step-by-step instructions:

  1. Select the two cells that you want to merge.
  2. Right-click on the selected cells and click on “Merge Cells” from the drop-down menu.
  3. The two cells will now be merged into one cell.

What happens to the contents of the merged cells?

When you merge two cells in Excel, the contents of the left cell will be placed into the merged cell. If there is any content in the right cell, it will be deleted.

Can I undo a cell merge?

Yes, you can undo a cell merge by pressing Ctrl + Z or clicking on the “undo” button in the toolbar. This will separate the merged cell back into its original two cells.

What if I want to merge more than two cells?

If you want to merge more than two cells, simply select all of the cells that you want to merge. Right-click on the selected cells and click on “Merge Cells” from the drop-down menu. All of the selected cells will be merged into one cell.

Can I merge cells vertically instead of horizontally?

Yes, you can merge cells vertically by following the same process as merging two cells horizontally. Instead of selecting cells to the right or left of the target cells, select cells above or below.

Will merging cells affect any formulas in my spreadsheet?

Merging cells will not affect any formulas in your spreadsheet. However, it may affect the alignment of data in adjacent cells. Make sure to check that any formulas are still producing the correct results after merging cells.

Auther name

Jacky Chou is an electrical engineer turned marketer. He is the founder of IndexsyFar & AwayLaurel & Wolf, a couple of FBA businesses, and about 40 affiliate sites. He is a proud native of Vancouver, BC, who has been featured on Entrepreneur.comForbesOberlo, and GoDaddy.