--- title: "Merge cells in Excel: Merge & Center, unmerge and combine text | PracticeExcel" description: "Merge & Center and its three siblings, why merged cells break sorting and filtering, Center Across Selection, unmerging without gaps and combining text with a formula." canonical_url: "https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/merge-cells-excel" locale: en meta: "og:description": "Merge & Center and its three siblings, why merged cells break sorting and filtering, Center Across Selection, unmerging without gaps and combining text with a formula." 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By Nicolaj Gajhede, founder of PracticeExcel · Updated November 1, 2026 · 11 min read Merging cells turns two or more cells into one big cell. It's the quickest way to center a title over a table or make a heading span several columns, and it's one of the first buttons people find on the Home tab. It's also the feature experienced Excel users warn about most, because merged cells quietly break sorting, filtering, copying and formulas. This guide shows how to merge and unmerge, what each of the four merge options does, and why merged cells cause trouble. Then it covers the two things people usually mean when they search for merging: a title that looks centered across columns, which Center Across Selection does without merging, and text from two cells combined into one, which takes a formula. ## The four merge options Select the cells and go to **Home > Merge & Center**. The button merges straight away. The arrow next to it has three more options: - **Merge & Center** merges the selected cells into one and centers the content horizontally. It's the one used for titles. - **Merge Across** merges each selected row separately. Select A1:D3, and you get three merged cells, one per row, rather than one big block. Handy for a column of long labels. - **Merge Cells** merges into one cell without changing the alignment. - **Unmerge Cells** splits a merged cell back into its original cells. On Windows, the key tips reach it from the keyboard: in English Excel, Alt, H, M, C merges and centers. Press Alt and read the letters on the ribbon as you go. ## Merging keeps only one value Before you merge cells that already have content, Excel warns you: merging keeps only the upper-left value and discards the others. If A1 says "Sales" and B1 says "2026", the merged cell says "Sales". "2026" is gone, and Undo is the only way back. So merging is for cells where only one has content, such as a title in A1 with B1:F1 empty. To put the contents of several cells together, use a formula instead, as shown further down. ## Why merged cells cause trouble A merged cell looks like one cell, but Excel still treats it as the upper-left cell with a block of empty cells hidden behind it. Most of the problems come from that gap between what you see and what Excel sees: - **Sorting fails.** Sort a range with merged cells and Excel refuses with a message that all merged cells need to be the same size. Even when the sizes match, rows that belonged together can end up apart. - **Filtering hides rows.** A region merged over five rows only has a value in the first row. Filter on that region, and you get one row, not five. - **Selecting a column selects more.** Click the header of column B when B1:D1 is merged, and Excel selects B, C and D. Copying and pasting a column gets awkward for the same reason. - **Ctrl+Arrow stops in odd places.** Jumping to the edge of the data and selecting with Ctrl+Shift+Arrow treat the merged block in ways that are hard to predict. - **Pasting fails.** Paste into a range that is partly merged, and Excel refuses because the shapes don't match. - **Formulas see blanks.** A formula that points at B1 in a merged A1:C1 gets an empty cell. Only A1 holds the value. Lookups, SUMIF and pivot tables see the same blanks. - **Some features won't merge at all.** Excel tables don't allow merged cells, and neither does a protected sheet. None of that matters for a title above a table. It matters a lot inside the data. The rule most Excel people follow: merge in the heading area if you must, never inside a list that will be sorted, filtered, looked up or summarized. ## Center Across Selection: the look without the merge Most merging is done to center a title over several columns. **Center Across Selection** gives exactly the same look and keeps every cell separate: 1. Type the title in the leftmost cell, for example A1. 2. Select the cells it should span, for example A1:F1. 3. Press [**Ctrl+1**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/shortcuts/format-cells) to open Format Cells and go to the **Alignment** tab. 4. Set **Horizontal** to **Center Across Selection** and click OK. The title now sits in the middle of A1:F1, but A1 still holds it and B1:F1 are still ordinary, empty cells. You can select a column, sort, filter and paste without any warnings. If you type something in C1 later, the title simply stops at C1, which is easy to spot and fix. Center Across Selection only works horizontally. There is no vertical version, so for a label that should span several rows, put it in the first row and leave the others empty, or repeat the label in every row and use formatting to make the repeats less visible. ## Long labels: wrap the text instead The other reason people merge is a label that is too long for its cell, such as a column heading like "Sales excluding sales tax" over a narrow column of numbers. Merging it across the next few columns makes it fit, but the same problems follow. Three settings solve it without merging: - **Wrap Text** on the Home tab breaks the label into several lines inside its own cell, and the row grows taller to show them. Press [**Alt+Enter**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/shortcuts/new-line-in-cell) while typing to choose where the line breaks. - **A wider column.** Double-click the line between two column letters, and the column fits its longest entry. - **Shrink to fit** under Ctrl+1 > Alignment makes the text smaller until it fits. It's best for short overflows, since long labels become hard to read. Wrapped headings with a fixed column width are what most well-built reports use. Every cell keeps its own value, and the table still sorts, filters and copies without warnings. ## Find every merged cell on a sheet In a workbook someone else built, merged cells can hide anywhere. To find them all: 1. Press **Ctrl+F** to open Find and Replace and click **Options**. 2. Click **Format**, go to the **Alignment** tab, tick **Merge cells** and click OK. 3. Click **Find All**. The list at the bottom shows every merged cell. Press Ctrl+A in the list to select them all on the sheet, then click **Merge & Center** to unmerge them in one go. ## Unmerge cells and fill the gaps To unmerge, select the merged cell and click **Merge & Center** again, or choose **Unmerge Cells** from its arrow. The value goes back to the upper-left cell, and the other cells are empty. That often leaves a list with gaps. A region that was merged over five rows now says North in the first row and nothing in the next four. To sort or filter the list, every row needs its value. You don't have to type them: 1. Select the column with the gaps, for example A2:A50. 2. Press [**F5**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/shortcuts/go-to), click **Special**, choose **Blanks** and click OK. Excel selects only the empty cells. 3. Type an equals sign and press the up arrow, which gives a formula pointing at the cell above. 4. Press [**Ctrl+Enter**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/shortcuts/fill-selection) to write the formula into every selected blank at once. A3=A2 | | A | B | | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | Region | Rep | | 2 | North | Ann | | 3 | **North** | Bo | After unmerging, only A2 holds North. In the empty cell below, =A2 repeats the value above, and Ctrl+Enter writes it into every blank at once. Every blank now repeats the value above it. Finish by copying the column and using [**Paste Special**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/shortcuts/paste-special) > Values, so the formulas become plain values that stay put when you sort. ## Combine text from two cells The other common meaning of "merging cells" is combining their contents: first and last name into a full name, street and city into an address, a code and a number into an ID. Merging can't do that, since it throws away everything but the first value. A formula can, in a new column. The & sign joins text. Put a space in quotes between the parts: C2=A2&" "&B2 | | A | B | C | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | First name | Last name | | | 2 | Anne | Holm | **Anne Holm** | Merging A2 and B2 would keep only Anne. & joins the two cells into one text instead, with a space in between. Fill the formula down, and every row gets its full name. Practice it in [**join first and last name with &**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/practice/join-text/join-names-ampersand). For more than two or three parts, TEXTJOIN is easier to read. It takes a separator, TRUE or FALSE for whether to skip empty cells, and then the cells or a range: D2=TEXTJOIN(", ",TRUE,A2:C2) | | A | B | C | D | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | Street | City | Country | | | 2 | 12 Main St | Springfield | USA | **12 Main St, Springfield, USA** | TEXTJOIN puts ", " between the parts. TRUE skips empty cells, so a missing part never leaves a double comma. CONCAT does the same without a separator, `**=CONCAT(A2:C2)**`, and the older CONCATENATE still works but only takes single cells. [**Join an address with TEXTJOIN**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/practice/join-text/textjoin-address) has an exercise with blank parts. ## Numbers and dates in joined text Joining text with a number or a date throws away its format. 12,500 becomes 12500, and a date becomes the number Excel stores behind it. TEXT formats the value before it's joined: C2="Total: "&TEXT(B2,"#,##0") | | A | B | C | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | Region | Sales | | | 2 | North | 12500 | **Total: 12,500** | A number joined to text loses its format. TEXT puts the thousands separator back. C2=A2&" starts "&TEXT(B2,"mmm d, yyyy") | | A | B | C | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | Name | Start date | | | 2 | Anne | Mar 15, 2024 | **Anne starts Mar 15, 2024** | Without TEXT, the date would show as 45366, the number Excel stores. TEXT turns it into a readable date. The format code in quotes is the same kind of code you'd use in Format Cells: "#,##0" for thousands, "0.0%" for a percentage with one decimal, "mmm d, yyyy" for a date like Mar 15, 2024. The [**dates guide**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/excel-dates) has more on date formats. To put the parts on separate lines in the same cell, join them with CHAR(10), the line break character, and turn on **Wrap Text** for the cell: `**=A2&CHAR(10)&B2**`. When you type in a cell yourself, [**Alt+Enter**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/shortcuts/new-line-in-cell) starts a new line. ## Combine a whole list into one cell Sometimes the cells to combine sit in a column rather than a row: the names of everyone on a team, the products on an order, the tags on a ticket. Give TEXTJOIN the whole range, and it puts the list in one cell: C2=TEXTJOIN(", ",TRUE,A2:A5) | | A | B | C | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | Rep | | | | 2 | Ann | | **Ann, Bo, Cy, Di** | | 3 | Bo | | | | 4 | Cy | | | | 5 | Di | | | TEXTJOIN with a whole column puts the list in one cell, with a comma between each name. That is handy for a summary line in a report, a list to paste into an email, or a cell that has to fit a system that only takes one value. TRUE skips the empty cells, so you can point it at a longer range than you need, such as A2:A100, and the list grows as you add names. Add a condition, and you get one list per group. FILTER keeps the rows that match, and TEXTJOIN joins what is left: D2=TEXTJOIN(", ",TRUE,FILTER(A2:A5,B2:B5="North")) | | A | B | C | D | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | Rep | Region | | | | 2 | Ann | North | | **Ann, Cy** | | 3 | Bo | South | | | | 4 | Cy | North | | | | 5 | Di | West | | | FILTER keeps the reps in the North region, and TEXTJOIN puts them in one cell. Put the regions in a small table and point the formula at each of them, and you have a one-line summary of who works where. FILTER and TEXTJOIN need Excel for Microsoft 365 or Excel 2021. The [**FILTER exercises**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/practice/filter-function) cover the function on its own. ## Split one cell into two The opposite job comes up just as often: a full name in one cell that should be a first and last name in two, or an address that should be street and city. Unmerging can't help here, since the text was never in two cells. There are three ways to split it. **Text to Columns** under **Data** splits a whole column at once, at a character you choose, such as a space or a comma. It's quick, but it's a one-off: the result doesn't update when the data changes, and it overwrites the columns to the right, so leave them empty first. **TEXTSPLIT** in Excel for Microsoft 365 does the same with a formula: `**=TEXTSPLIT(A2," ")**` spills each word into its own cell. It updates when A2 changes. **LEFT, RIGHT, MID and FIND** work in every version. FIND gives the position of the separator, and LEFT takes everything before it: B2=LEFT(A2,FIND(" ",A2)-1) | | A | B | | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | Name | | | 2 | Anne Holm | **Anne** | FIND gives the position of the space, 5. LEFT takes everything before it, which is the first name. The last name is everything after the space: `**=MID(A2,FIND(" ",A2)+1,100)**`. The [**clean data guide**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/clean-data-in-excel) goes through splitting text in depth, including names with a middle name. ## Merged cells in formulas When a formula has to point at a merged cell, point at its upper-left cell. A title merged over A1:F1 lives in A1, and `**=A1**` returns it. `**=B1**` returns nothing, since B1 is one of the empty cells hidden behind the merge. The same goes for ranges. SUM over a range with merged cells adds up only the values in the upper-left cells, which is usually right, since the other cells are empty. COUNTA, on the other hand, counts one cell per merged block, not per row, so a region merged over five rows counts once. If a count looks too low, look for merged cells in the range. ## Merged labels in a pivot table Pivot tables are the one place where merged-looking labels come for free and cause no harm. Right-click the pivot table, choose **PivotTable Options** and tick **Merge and center cells with labels**. The outer row labels are then centered over their group, like a merged cell, but the source data stays a clean list and the pivot table still sorts and filters. The [**pivot table guide**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/pivot-tables) shows how to build one. ## Combined text that stays put A formula updates when the original cells change, which is usually what you want. If you need the combined text on its own, for example to delete the original columns, copy the new column and paste it as values first. Otherwise the formula breaks the moment its source cells go. Flash Fill is the no-formula alternative. Type the full name for the first row by hand, then press **Ctrl+E** in the cell below. Excel spots the pattern and fills the rest of the column. It's quick for one-off clean-ups, but it doesn't update when the data changes and it can guess wrong on irregular data, so check a few rows. The [**clean data guide**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/clean-data-in-excel) covers splitting and joining text in more depth. ## When merging is fine Merged cells aren't forbidden. They work well where nothing will be sorted, filtered or calculated: - A report title above a table. - A heading over a group of columns, such as "Q1" above January, February and March, in a printed report. - The layout of a form or a printed document, where the sheet is a page rather than a data set. Even there, Center Across Selection is worth trying first. And keep the raw data on its own sheet, unmerged, with one value in every cell. A pivot table, a chart or a formula can then build the merged-looking report from it. ## Merging in Google Sheets Google Sheets has the same feature under **Format > Merge cells**, with **Merge all**, **Merge horizontally**, **Merge vertically** and **Unmerge**. It keeps only the upper-left value too, and merged cells cause the same trouble with sorting and filtering. Sheets has no Center Across Selection, so for a centered title, merge only in the heading row and keep the data below unmerged. & and TEXTJOIN work as in Excel. ## Merged cells in Excel tests Employer Excel tests sometimes hand you a sheet with merged cells and ask you to sort, filter or summarize it. The trick is to spot them first: unmerge, fill the gaps with Go To Special and Ctrl+Enter, and then do the task. A task that asks you to "combine" or "merge" first and last names means a formula with & or TEXTJOIN, not the merge button. ## In short **Home > Merge & Center** turns several cells into one and keeps only the upper-left value. It's fine for a title, but inside data it breaks sorting, filtering, copying and formulas. For a centered title, Center Across Selection under Ctrl+1 > Alignment gives the same look without merging. To unmerge, click the button again and fill the gaps with F5 > Special > Blanks, an equals sign pointing up and Ctrl+Enter. And to combine the contents of cells, use a formula: & for a few parts, TEXTJOIN for many, and TEXT for numbers and dates. The four exercises below train the formula side, from a full name with & to an address with TEXTJOIN and an ID built from parts. Try the first one for free and write the formula yourself. ![Nicolaj Gajhede](https://practiceexcelonline.com/authors/nicolaj-gajhede.webp) **About the author** ## **Nicolaj Gajhede**, founder of PracticeExcel I'm a software developer, and I built PracticeExcel to help others get comfortable with Excel, and the best way to get there is to work through the formulas yourself. [Nicolaj Gajhede on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaj-gajhede/) [More about Nicolaj Gajhede](https://practiceexcelonline.com/about#nicolaj-gajhede) ## **Practice what this guide covers** Graded exercises in a real grid, in the order the guide uses them. - [**Join first and last name with &**Joining text with & and TEXTJOIN →](https://practiceexcelonline.com/practice/join-text/join-names-ampersand) - [**Build an email address**Joining text with & and TEXTJOIN →](https://practiceexcelonline.com/practice/join-text/build-email-address) - [**Join an address with TEXTJOIN**Joining text with & and TEXTJOIN →](https://practiceexcelonline.com/practice/join-text/textjoin-address) - [**Build an ID from a department and a number**Joining text with & and TEXTJOIN →](https://practiceexcelonline.com/practice/join-text/build-id-left-upper) ### **Function pages** - [**TEXTJOIN**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/functions/textjoin) - [**CONCAT**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/functions/concat) - [**TEXT**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/functions/text) - [**FILTER**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/functions/filter) - [**LEFT**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/functions/left) - [**FIND**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/functions/find) - [**TEXTSPLIT**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/functions/textsplit) ## **Questions**
### How do I merge cells in Excel? Select the cells and choose Home > Merge & Center. The cells become one, and the content of the upper-left cell is centered across them. The arrow next to the button has Merge Across, Merge Cells and Unmerge Cells.
### How do I merge cells without losing data? Merging keeps only the upper-left value. To keep everything, combine the text with a formula in a new cell, such as =A2&" "&B2 or =TEXTJOIN(" ",TRUE,A2:C2), then paste it as values if you need to.
### How do I unmerge cells? Select the merged cell and click Merge & Center again, or choose Unmerge Cells from its arrow. The value goes back to the upper-left cell, and the others are empty.
### What can I use instead of merging cells? Center Across Selection. Select the cells, press Ctrl+1, and under Alignment set Horizontal to Center Across Selection. The text looks merged, but every cell stays separate, so sorting, filtering and copying keep working.
### Why can't I sort a range with merged cells? Excel can only sort when every merged cell in the range has the same size. Unmerge the cells, fill in the blanks and sort again. Keep merged cells out of data you sort or filter.
### Why is Merge & Center grayed out? The cell is probably in edit mode, so press Enter or Esc first. Merging is also unavailable inside an Excel table and on a protected sheet.
## **More guides** - [**How to clean data in Excel with formulas**Fix messy exports with formulas. Remove extra spaces, fix capitals, split names and codes, join columns, find duplicates and turn text into real numbers.](https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/clean-data-in-excel) - [**Excel keyboard shortcuts worth learning, and how to make them stick**The Excel shortcuts that save real time, for Windows and Mac, in the order to learn them, and a short daily drill that makes them automatic.](https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/excel-keyboard-shortcuts) - [**Pivot tables explained, and the formulas that do the same job**What a pivot table computes, how to build one step by step, the problems that trip people up, and how to get the same summaries with SUMIF, COUNTIF and SUMIFS.](https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/pivot-tables) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@id":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/#identity","@type":"Organization","name":"PracticeExcel","url":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/","logo":{"@id":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/#logo"}},{"@id":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/#website","@type":"WebSite","inLanguage":"en-US","name":"PracticeExcel","url":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/","alternateName":["Practice Excel Online","PracticeExcelOnline.com"],"publisher":{"@id":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/#identity"},"workTranslation":{"@id":"https://excelopgaver.dk/#website"}},{"@id":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/merge-cells-excel#webpage","dateModified":"2026-11-01","datePublished":"2026-11-01","description":"Merge & Center and its three siblings, why merged cells break sorting and filtering, Center Across Selection, unmerging without gaps and combining text with a formula.","name":"Merge cells in Excel: Merge & Center, unmerge and combine text","url":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/merge-cells-excel","@type":["WebPage","FAQPage"],"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/merge-cells-excel#breadcrumb"},"isPartOf":{"@id":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/#website"},"mainEntity":[{"@id":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/merge-cells-excel#/schema/question/1"},{"@id":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/merge-cells-excel#/schema/question/2"},{"@id":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/merge-cells-excel#/schema/question/3"},{"@id":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/merge-cells-excel#/schema/question/4"},{"@id":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/merge-cells-excel#/schema/question/5"},{"@id":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/merge-cells-excel#/schema/question/6"}],"potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/merge-cells-excel"]}],"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/#logo"}},{"@id":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/merge-cells-excel#breadcrumb","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","name":"Home","item":"https://practiceexcelonline.com","position":1},{"@type":"ListItem","name":"Excel guides","item":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn","position":2},{"@type":"ListItem","name":"Merge cells in Excel: Merge & Center, unmerge and combine text","position":3}]},{"@id":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/merge-cells-excel#article","@type":"Article","dateModified":"2026-11-01","datePublished":"2026-11-01","description":"Merge & Center and its three siblings, why merged cells break sorting and filtering, Center Across Selection, unmerging without gaps and combining text with a formula.","headline":"Merge cells in Excel: Merge & Center, unmerge and combine text","inLanguage":"en-US","thumbnailUrl":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/_og/d/c_Page%2Ctitle_~TWVyZ2UgY2VsbHMgaW4gRXhjZWw6IE1lcmdlICYgQ2VudGVyLCB1bm1lcmdlIGFuZCBjb21iaW5lIHRleHQ%2Cdescription_~TWVyZ2UgJiBDZW50ZXIgYW5kIGl0cyB0aHJlZSBzaWJsaW5ncywgd2h5IG1lcmdlZCBjZWxscyBicmVhayBzb3J0aW5nIGFuZCBmaWx0ZXJpbmcsIENlbnRlciBBY3Jvc3MgU2VsZWN0aW9uLCB1bm1lcmdpbmcgd2l0aG91dCBnYXBzIGFuZCBjb21iaW5pbmcgdGV4dCB3aXRoIGEgZm9ybXVsYS4%2Ceyebrow_Excel%2Bguides%2Csite_practiceexcel%2Cp_Ii9sZWFybi9tZXJnZS1jZWxscy1leGNlbCI%2Cs_9neaURRRA9PY_VNC.png","author":{"@id":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/#/schema/person/1"},"image":{"@id":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/#/schema/image/1"},"isPartOf":{"@id":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/merge-cells-excel#webpage"},"mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/merge-cells-excel#webpage"},"publisher":{"@id":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/#identity"}},{"@id":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/merge-cells-excel#/schema/question/1","@type":"Question","inLanguage":"en-US","name":"How do I merge cells in Excel?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Select the cells and choose Home > Merge & Center. The cells become one, and the content of the upper-left cell is centered across them. The arrow next to the button has Merge Across, Merge Cells and Unmerge Cells."}},{"@id":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/merge-cells-excel#/schema/question/2","@type":"Question","inLanguage":"en-US","name":"How do I merge cells without losing data?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Merging keeps only the upper-left value. To keep everything, combine the text with a formula in a new cell, such as =A2&\" \"&B2 or =TEXTJOIN(\" \",TRUE,A2:C2), then paste it as values if you need to."}},{"@id":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/merge-cells-excel#/schema/question/3","@type":"Question","inLanguage":"en-US","name":"How do I unmerge cells?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Select the merged cell and click Merge & Center again, or choose Unmerge Cells from its arrow. The value goes back to the upper-left cell, and the others are empty."}},{"@id":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/merge-cells-excel#/schema/question/4","@type":"Question","inLanguage":"en-US","name":"What can I use instead of merging cells?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Center Across Selection. Select the cells, press Ctrl+1, and under Alignment set Horizontal to Center Across Selection. The text looks merged, but every cell stays separate, so sorting, filtering and copying keep working."}},{"@id":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/merge-cells-excel#/schema/question/5","@type":"Question","inLanguage":"en-US","name":"Why can't I sort a range with merged cells?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Excel can only sort when every merged cell in the range has the same size. Unmerge the cells, fill in the blanks and sort again. Keep merged cells out of data you sort or filter."}},{"@id":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/merge-cells-excel#/schema/question/6","@type":"Question","inLanguage":"en-US","name":"Why is Merge & Center grayed out?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The cell is probably in edit mode, so press Enter or Esc first. Merging is also unavailable inside an Excel table and on a protected sheet."}},{"@id":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/#/schema/person/1","@type":"Person","description":"I'm a software developer, and I built PracticeExcel to help others get comfortable with Excel, and the best way to get there is to work through the formulas yourself.","jobTitle":"founder of PracticeExcel","name":"Nicolaj Gajhede","url":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/about#nicolaj-gajhede","image":{"@id":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/#/schema/image/2"},"sameAs":["https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaj-gajhede/"]},{"@id":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/#logo","@type":"ImageObject","caption":"PracticeExcel","contentUrl":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/brand/practiceexcel/icon-512.png","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/brand/practiceexcel/icon-512.png"},{"@id":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/#/schema/image/1","@type":"ImageObject","contentUrl":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/_og/d/c_Page%2Ctitle_~TWVyZ2UgY2VsbHMgaW4gRXhjZWw6IE1lcmdlICYgQ2VudGVyLCB1bm1lcmdlIGFuZCBjb21iaW5lIHRleHQ%2Cdescription_~TWVyZ2UgJiBDZW50ZXIgYW5kIGl0cyB0aHJlZSBzaWJsaW5ncywgd2h5IG1lcmdlZCBjZWxscyBicmVhayBzb3J0aW5nIGFuZCBmaWx0ZXJpbmcsIENlbnRlciBBY3Jvc3MgU2VsZWN0aW9uLCB1bm1lcmdpbmcgd2l0aG91dCBnYXBzIGFuZCBjb21iaW5pbmcgdGV4dCB3aXRoIGEgZm9ybXVsYS4%2Ceyebrow_Excel%2Bguides%2Csite_practiceexcel%2Cp_Ii9sZWFybi9tZXJnZS1jZWxscy1leGNlbCI%2Cs_9neaURRRA9PY_VNC.png","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/_og/d/c_Page%2Ctitle_~TWVyZ2UgY2VsbHMgaW4gRXhjZWw6IE1lcmdlICYgQ2VudGVyLCB1bm1lcmdlIGFuZCBjb21iaW5lIHRleHQ%2Cdescription_~TWVyZ2UgJiBDZW50ZXIgYW5kIGl0cyB0aHJlZSBzaWJsaW5ncywgd2h5IG1lcmdlZCBjZWxscyBicmVhayBzb3J0aW5nIGFuZCBmaWx0ZXJpbmcsIENlbnRlciBBY3Jvc3MgU2VsZWN0aW9uLCB1bm1lcmdpbmcgd2l0aG91dCBnYXBzIGFuZCBjb21iaW5pbmcgdGV4dCB3aXRoIGEgZm9ybXVsYS4%2Ceyebrow_Excel%2Bguides%2Csite_practiceexcel%2Cp_Ii9sZWFybi9tZXJnZS1jZWxscy1leGNlbCI%2Cs_9neaURRRA9PY_VNC.png"},{"@id":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/#/schema/image/2","@type":"ImageObject","contentUrl":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/authors/nicolaj-gajhede.webp","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://practiceexcelonline.com/authors/nicolaj-gajhede.webp"}]} ``` ## Sitemap See the full [sitemap](https://practiceexcelonline.com/sitemap.md) for all pages.