Merge Cells in Google Sheets Method
How to Merge Cells in Google Sheets? Merging cells in Google Sheets is a useful method to help keep information organized and make it easy to read. It’s especially helpful when creating titles that span multiple columns in a spreadsheet.[1]
The practice is also useful when importing real-time data into Google Sheets. However, there are some challenges that may occur with these methods.
Different Types of Merge Options in Google Sheets
If you’re using Google Sheets, there are multiple ways to merge cells. You can use the Format menu, the toolbar command or keyboard shortcuts. You can also install a free add-on that will make it easier to merge values between cells without losing data.
The first way to merge cells is through the Format menu.[2] This option allows you to choose from three options: Merge all, Merge horizontally and Merge vertically.
When you select one of these options, you’ll see all of the cells in your spreadsheet appear in a single row with the content from each cell combining into a new cell. Then, you can either click on the corresponding button to apply formatting to those merged cells or unmerge them to convert them back into individual cells.
You can also combine data from two or more cells with a formula. This is a common method for merging values between cells, and it works well in most cases. However, there are a few drawbacks to using this method.[3]
If you merge cells, the value in the top-left cell takes precedence over any other data in your spreadsheet. This can cause issues when you’re trying to merge data in formulas or pivot tables. It can also lead to problems when you copy and paste data or move it around.
Another way to merge values between cells is by using the CONCAT function. This function is easy to use and doesn’t have many drawbacks, but it does require that you don’t have any errors.
A more convenient way to combine data between cells is by using the Ampersand (&) character. This character has the same functionality as the CONCAT function but takes more arguments.[4] This makes it a great option for combining data between cells with large amounts of text.
You can also combine values between cells by using a combination of formulas, including ARRAYFORMULA and UNIQUE. Depending on the amount of data you’re working with, these formulas can be very helpful when you want to create a new column that contains two different data values.
Issues When Learning How to Merge in Google Sheets
Some people may not be familiar with the many features and functions of Google Sheets, and that can lead to confusion. For example, if you’re unfamiliar with the differences between Merge and Copy, it can be difficult to determine which option will work best in your specific situation. This can be a frustrating experience, especially since you may end up with duplicate cells or a row full of empty cell boxes. So, make sure to do your homework before jumping in! [5]
You can merge cells in Google Sheets to create a unified row or column. This process works on desktop and mobile versions of Google Sheets.
You can select the cells you want to merge by clicking and dragging across them.[6] The selected cells will be highlighted and bordered in blue.
What Is Merging Cells In Google Sheets
Merging cells in Google Sheets is a handy feature that helps you present and analyze your data faster. It can be used to streamline KPI reporting, create data visualizations, and more. It also comes in handy when you’re pulling real-time data from your company systems and want to quickly import it into a spreadsheet to make better decisions based on live data.[7]
There are several ways to merge cells in Google Sheets, including using the Merge icon, writing custom formulas, and installing a free Google Sheets add-on. Regardless of your preferred method, there are a few things to keep in mind when working with merged cells.
First, you’ll need to know what kind of cells can be merged. Cells that have text in them will be merged, as well as any numbers or values contained within them. However, if you have a table of data in a column or row, merging those cells will cause analysis issues and might disrupt calculations.
Next, you’ll need to know what the merged cell will look like. For example, you can choose whether it’s displayed horizontally or vertically, and how the merged cell should separate the data[8].
You can also choose how the merged cell should appear in different rows or columns. In addition, you can choose how to display the merged cell in different ways (semi-colon, comma, space, and line break).
Finally, you’ll need to know how to unmerge merged cells. To do this, select the merged cells and then go to Format -> Merged cells.
One of the most important things to know about merging cells is that you can’t sort the data if there are merged cells in a column. Trying to sort a column with merged cells will give you errors, so it’s best to avoid using them in spreadsheets with large datasets or formulas that might be affected by them.[9]
Another important thing to know about merged cells is that they only retain the top-left value of each cell when they’re merged. If there’s anything in the merged cells other than that, they’ll be deleted. If you’re worried about losing your data when you’re merging cells, use a keyboard shortcut or the Merge and Center function instead.
How to Merge Cells In Google Sheets
Merging cells is a great way to make spreadsheets more visually appealing. However, it can also result in data loss if you aren’t careful.
The first thing you need to do is open the sheet where you want to merge cells. This can be done by clicking on the Google Sheets icon in your browser’s address bar or by opening it from an existing file.[10]
Once you’ve opened the sheet, select the cells you want to merge by clicking and dragging them across each other. These selected cells will be highlighted and bordered in blue.
You can then merge these cells by choosing one of the three options available. You can choose to merge all the cells in a range (the “Merge All” option), or you can choose to merge all of the cells in a row (the “Merge Horizontally” option).[11]
Another option is to use the dedicated Merge button in the docked toolbar. This button can be found in between the cell borders and text alignment tools.
This is a convenient option that can save you time, especially when you are working on a large spreadsheet. You can then use the Merge button to apply a particular formatting method to all of the selected cells.
A word of caution though: be sure to sort your columns before you merge them. This will prevent the merged cells from causing problems in your formulas.[12]
You can also combine the contents of two or more cells into a single cell with the help of a free Google Sheets add-on called Merge Values. This is a good option to use if you are looking for a quick way to merge cells without losing data.
Using the Merge Values add-on is simple and will not delete your data. The process is very similar to how you would merge text in a spreadsheet, but it will work with a wider range of data.[13]
You can also merge cells in your Android or iOS devices by tapping them and dragging them across each other. This can be a useful option for mobile users who are constantly on the go and need to create tables quickly.
How to Merge Cells In Google Sheets for iOS
If you need to combine data across columns, rows, or cell ranges, you can do so quickly and easily in Google Sheets. Whether you’re using a desktop or mobile device, you can use a few simple steps to merge cells in your spreadsheet.[14]
The first step is to select the cells that you want to merge. This can be done by tapping on a cell and then dragging the blue border around it. You can also select multiple cells by highlighting them and clicking on the Merge Cells button in the toolbar.
You can also use a formula to join different sets of data together. You can use a basic formula, such as CONCATENATE, or you can use an array formula to combine columns horizontally and create new data values that include both the values in your original cells.
There are a few things to keep in mind when merging cells in Google Sheets. For one, if you have existing data in the cell that you’re trying to merge, it won’t be preserved.[15]
Another thing to remember is that when you’re combining data, you need to decide how you want it to appear. You can choose to display your merged cells in rows, columns, or in a single cell. You can also choose how your merged data is separated, such as semi-colon, comma, space, and line breaks.
If you’re on a smartphone, such as an iPhone or an iPad, the easiest way to merge cells is through the Google Sheets app. Once you open a Google Sheets document on your phone, you can tap on the “merge” button that looks like a square with two arrows pointing inward. This will instantly merge all the selected cells in your spreadsheet. You can then unmerge them later as needed.[16]
The Merge Cells Keyboard Shortcut In Google Sheets
Merging cells in a spreadsheet is a useful tool when you have a section of data where you need to display information across multiple cells. However, when you have a large number of merged cells, it can be difficult to find them when you need to unmerge them.[17]
Fortunately, you can easily find and remove all merged cells in your Google Sheets using the ‘Find All’ function. The ‘Find All’ function works with both sheets and tabs and will find all of the merged cells in your worksheet.
You can also select all merged cells and use the ‘Unmerge Cells’ command to unmerge them all at once. This is a faster way of unmerging all of the cells in your sheet than manually selecting them one by one.[18]
Another handy thing to know about unmerging merged cells in Google Sheets is that you can do it on both desktop and mobile devices. This is because Google Sheets is a cloud-based application that can be used on any device, including mobile.
In Google Sheets on a desktop, you can perform the Merge Cells function by clicking the Format tab at the top of the sheet and choosing ‘Merge cells’ from the drop-down menu. This will open a new window where you can select the type of merge you want.[19]
The ‘Merge all’ option will merge all the cells in your selection, and it is available when you have chosen at least two contiguous rows of cells. When you have chosen non-contiguous ranges, the ‘Merge all’ option is grayed out and will not appear.
If you need to merge all of your cells, it’s a good idea to consider using the ‘Auto Fill’ feature which will automatically apply the same formula to all of your selected cells. This will prevent you from having to copy-and-paste the merged values every time you want to change them.
Alternatively, you can use the ‘&’ operator and a basic formula to combine the contents of multiple cells into one string. This will save you a lot of time in the long run and will make it easier to work with your data. [20]
