Merging in Excel is frequently needed when you are working with larger data counts. However, in the Excel worksheet, you may find it daunting to merge the cells. Although it is not a user-friendly, thing but you can still do it to make the sheet as per your needs. Most people tend to search for how they can merge the data quickly, that’s why we have found a shortcut key for merging in Excel.
Well, to be honest, there are no default shortcut keys available to perform this function in Excel. But you don’t need to worry as we have managed to sort out different methods to merge & center cells in Excel. Without further ado, let’s have a look at how to merge in Excel to make the data neat and aligned.
Merging Cells Removes Data
Do you know you can lose some of the important data when you merge it in Excel?
When merging text with cells, only the text in the upper leftmost cell is used. On the other hand, your data on the right below side will be deleted instantly. You will see a dialog box notifying you that Excel will not keep your data in the right or bottom cells.
How to Merge Cells in Excel Shortcut
If you want to combine multiple cells, executing the right “Merge” function repeatedly can be a drag. In case, you need fast merging, begin highlighting the cells that need to be merged. Now, start typing the key combinations given below:
Shortcut Key for Merge in Excel Windows
Merge Cells: ALT + H + M + M
Merge & Center: ALT + H + M + C
Merge Across: ALT + H + M + A
Unmerge Cells: ALT + H + M + U
Shortcut Key for Merge in Exel for OS
Remember that Apple operating system does not contain an ALT key, that’s why you need to arrange for your own shortcut keys for merging cells.
- Go to Excel and click “Tools” given under the navigation bar.
- Choose “Customize Keyboard.”
- You will see a pop-up and under the header “Specify a Command” there will be two columns: Categories and Commands. Choose “Home Tab” for categories and “Merge Cells” for Commands.
- Under the “Press new keyboard shortcut” option, choose the text box and type the key combination for the shortcut. For instance: CONTROL + M
- For setting the shortcut press OK.
- Now you can use CONTROL + M to merge cells in Excel.
- For multiple options, you can set additional shortcuts. These options include Merge Across, Merge & Center, or Unmerge.
Merging Cells using the Ribbon Option
Using the Ribbon option, you can merge cells by following the steps given below:
- Drag over the cells to choose that you want to merge or else you may click in the first cell and Shift-click in the last cell. Also, your cells must be adjacent to each other.
- From the Ribbon, choose the Home Tab.
- Click the arrow given at the side of Merge & Center from the Alignment group. You will see a drop-down menu.
- Now, choose the merge option that you need. Take care while merging as the data placed in the upper leftmost cell or uppermost cell will merge transversely to the selected cells and other data will be removed.
In the Ribbon, you will see options to merge and unmerge cells while clicking on the arrow given to the side of Merge & Center:
How to Merge Two Cells in Excel
Merging is all about turning two cells into one new but bigger cell. Merging is handy when it comes to organizing data and making headers. Also, you will not have to resize each cell for this. Below are some easy to follow steps:
- Start by highlighting the two adjoining cells that needed to be merged.
- Click on the “Merge” icon given under the Home tab and choose “Merge Cells”.
- That’s how you can merge the cells.
Remember that you can lose data while merging that’s why you always have to be careful before merging. Save your data before it disappears from the cells. However, it will not happen all of a sudden, because you will be warned with pop up before merging.
If that data is not important to you, click OK to delete it. Or if you don’t want to delete the data, simply choose “Cancel” and copy the data from those cells to another place.
Multiple Alignment Options
You will find multiple alignment options under Alignment, such as Wrap Text, Left Alignment, and Right Alignment.
Four different functions are available under the Merge Option.
- Merge & Center: With this option, you can merge the cells besides making the alignment center.
- Merge & Across: With this option, besides merging you can make left alignment of the data.
- Merge Cells: Also with this option, besides merging you can make left alignment of the data.
- Unmerge Cells: With this option, you can remove all the merged cells to turn the value into one cell.
Understanding Excel Merge Options
As already mentioned above, the Merge option has four other merge options. Let’s have a look at each option in detail.
Merge & Center
This option is helpful when you need to merge the selected cells into one cell together with centering the data from the top leftmost cell across the highlighted cells. Also, remember that the data will be removed from the cells to the right or below the upper leftmost cell.
Merge Across
You can merge the selected cells into one cell from the leftmost cell transversely to the selected cells. Also, remember that your data will be removed from the cells to the right of the leftmost cell. However, it will not center the data by default and merging appears for only selected columns and not rows.
Merge Cells
From the upper leftmost cell, this option let you merge the highlighted cells into one cell transversely to the selected cells. Also, your data will be removed from the cells to the right or below the top leftmost cell in the selected cells. Bear in mind that it also does not center the data by default.
Unmerge Cells
A merged cell will be unmerged with this option.
Center Across Selection
In the Format Cells dialog box, this option can center the data of all the selected cells. However, it will not merge the cells into one cell.
Things to Consider When Choosing Shortcut Key for Merge in Excel
ALT + H + M + M is a shortcut key used to merge cells in Excel.
ALT + H + M + U is a perfect combination to unmerge cells in Excel.
When it comes to merging two cells into one, the data on the right side of the sheet will be removed, and the left side data will be saved.
When you apply to merge options onto the raw data, you will face multiple issues that’s why try not to merge the raw data.
