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How to merge cells in Google Sheets

Learn how to merge cells in Google Sheets horizontally, vertically, or all at once, plus how to unmerge and avoid data loss.

Quick answer

Select the cells you want to combine, then click the Merge cells icon in the toolbar or open Format > Merge cells. Choose merge all, merge horizontally, or merge vertically depending on your layout. Google Sheets keeps only the top-left cell's data, so copy other values first if needed before merging.

Steps at a glance

  1. Select the range of cells you want to merge
  2. Click the Merge cells icon in the toolbar
  3. Choose Merge all, horizontally, or vertically
  4. Confirm the warning if other cells contain data
  5. Adjust text alignment inside the merged cell
  6. Use Format > Merge cells > Unmerge to reverse it

Summary

Merging cells in Google Sheets combines multiple selected cells into a single larger cell, which is useful for creating shared headers, titles, or grouped labels. It's a formatting tool built into the toolbar and Format menu, and it works on rows, columns, or blocks of cells at once.

Step-by-step guide

  1. Step 1

    Select the cells to merge

    Click and drag across the cells you want to combine, or click one cell and shift-click the last one in the range. You can select a single row, a single column, or a rectangular block of cells.

  2. Step 2

    Open the Merge cells option

    Click the Merge cells icon in the toolbar, which looks like arrows pointing inward toward a single cell. Alternatively, go to Format in the menu bar and choose Merge cells to see the same options.

  3. Step 3

    Choose how to merge

    Pick Merge all to combine the entire selection into one cell, Merge horizontally to merge each row separately into its own cell, or Merge vertically to merge each column separately. Merge horizontally is the most common choice for spanning a header across multiple columns.

  4. Step 4

    Confirm the data warning if it appears

    If more than one selected cell contains data, Google Sheets shows a warning that merging will keep only the value in the upper-left cell and discard the rest. Click OK to proceed, or cancel and copy the other values elsewhere first if you need to keep them.

  5. Step 5

    Adjust alignment and formatting

    Once merged, use the horizontal and vertical alignment buttons in the toolbar to center or position the text within the new merged cell. This step matters most for headers and titles where centered text looks cleaner.

  6. Step 6

    Unmerge cells if you need to undo it

    Select the merged cell, click the small arrow next to the Merge cells icon, and choose Unmerge. The cell splits back into its original individual cells, though only the top-left cell retains its original data.

  7. Step 7

    Keep your data structure in mind

    Merged cells can interfere with sorting, filtering, and formulas that reference ranges, so avoid merging cells inside data tables you plan to sort or filter. Reserve merging for titles, headers, or standalone labels instead.

Why this matters

You're building a report with a title that should span several columns, or a header row that groups related data under one label. Merging cells lets you create that visual structure instantly, making spreadsheets easier to read and share without restructuring your underlying data.

Frequently asked questions

  • Does merging cells delete my data?

    Merging keeps the data in the top-left cell of the selected range and discards the rest, so it's a good idea to copy any values you need before merging cells that already contain data.

  • Is there a keyboard shortcut to merge cells in Google Sheets?

    There's no default keyboard shortcut for merging cells, but you can create one using Google Sheets' custom macro or shortcut settings if you merge cells frequently and want a faster workflow.

  • Can I merge cells that are part of a filtered or sorted table?

    It's best to avoid this. Merged cells can cause unexpected results when you sort a table or apply a filter, so merge only static labels or headers outside your active data range.

  • What's the difference between merging cells and combining text with a formula?

    Merging cells is a visual formatting change that combines the cell shapes but keeps only one value. Combining text with a formula, like using an ampersand or a text-joining function, keeps all original data and creates a new value in a separate cell.

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