How to merge cells in excel

Answer

1. What merging cells means in Excel

Merging cells combines several cells into one larger cell.
Excel keeps only the value from the top-left cell and removes the rest.

Example (US-relevant):

• A1 = Math
  
  

• B1 = Science
  
  

• C1 = English
  
  

If you merge A1:C1, the merged cell will display:

Math

Excel removes Science and English.

2. How to merge cells using the Ribbon

Steps

1. Select the cells you want to merge (for example A1:C1).
   
   

2. Go to Home → Merge & Center.
   
   

3. The range becomes one large cell with the text centered.
   
   

Example:

Create a title for a class gradebook, such as:

Grade 10 Semester Report

Place it in A1, select A1:D1, and click Merge & Center.

3. Excel merge options

3.1 Merge & Center

• Creates one merged cell.
  
  

• Centers the text.
  
  

• Best for titles like “Student Attendance Summary”.
  
  

3.2 Merge Across

• Merges rows separately across columns.
  
  

Example:

Selected range: A1:C3

Excel will create:

• A1:C1
  
  

• A2:C2
  
  

• A3:C3
  
  

Useful for formatting a class schedule table.

3.3 Merge Cells

• Merges into one big cell but does not center text.
  
  

3.4 Unmerge Cells

• Splits the merged cell back into original cells.
  
  

• Only top-left value remains.
  
  

Example:
If History was in A1 before a merge, only that value returns after unmerging.

4. Warning: merging deletes other cell values

Merging A1:C1 keeps only A1’s content.

Example:

A row from a homework tracking sheet:

• A1 = Assignment 1
  
  

• B1 = Due Friday
  
  

• C1 = Completed
  
  

If you merge A1:C1, Excel keeps:

Assignment 1

It deletes:

• Due Friday
  
  

• Completed
  
  

5. Better option: Center Across Selection (no merge)

This creates the visual look of merged cells without actually merging them.

Steps:

1. Type the title in A1 (example: Basketball Team Roster).
   
   

2. Select A1:D1.
   
   

3. Press Ctrl + 1 → Alignment.
   
   

4. Set Horizontal → Center Across Selection.
   
   

Cells stay separate, so sorting and filtering still work.

6. Merging cell content using formulas

If the goal is to combine the text while keeping cells separate, use formulas.

6.1 Using the & operator

Example: join student first and last names

• A2 = Emily
  
  

• B2 = Johnson
  
  

Formula:

$\text{=A2 \& " " \& B2}$

Result:
Emily Johnson

6.2 Using CONCAT

$\text{=CONCAT(A2, " ", B2)}$

Same result: Emily Johnson.

6.3 Using TEXTJOIN

Great for combining multiple items, such as a list of subjects a student is taking.

Example cells:

• A1 = Math
  
  

• A2 = English
  
  

• A3 = Biology
  
  

• A4 = History
  
  

Formula:

$\text{=TEXTJOIN(", ", TRUE, A1:A4)}$

Result:
Math, English, Biology, History

7. Classroom-ready examples

7.1 Creating a report heading

Type this in A1:

Fall Semester Grade Report

Select A1:E1 → Merge & Center.

This makes your spreadsheet look like a real school report header.

7.2 Class schedule layout without merging

Using Center Across Selection, you can display:

Weekly Class Schedule

across A1:D1 without breaking sort and filter features.

8. Problems caused by merged cells

Merging can break:

• Sorting student names
  
  

• Filtering grade columns
  
  

• Creating Excel Tables for attendance
  
  

• Copying/pasting data in class rosters
  
  

• Formatting GPA calculations
  
  

Because of these issues, teachers and students usually avoid merging except for titles.

9. Summary

• Use Merge & Center for headers like class titles.
  
  

• Avoid merging inside data tables (grading spreadsheets, homework logs).
  
  

• Use Center Across Selection for safe alignment.
  
  

Use formulas (&, CONCAT, TEXTJOIN) to merge content, not cells.

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