Is there a keyboard shortcut to merge cells in Word?

In Excel, you can merge cells using the Ribbon or the Format Cells dialog box. You can also access merge commands by right-clicking or using keyboard shortcuts. Typically, when a user wants to merge cells, they are trying to place longer headers in one cell (such as January Actual Sales). You can merge cells horizontally across columns or vertically across rows.

To merge cells in excel, first, select the cells which we want to merge together into one cell, and then we can use the short cut key starting from ALT then press the H + M + M simultaneously. Once we execute the function using short cut keys, it will pop up an alert message that says merging the cells will keep the Upper cell value and discard the other cell’s value. If we proceed, the cell will be merged, keeping only one value to be seen. ALT + H + M + C will only Merge and Center, ALT + H + M + A will Merge Across and to unmerge press ALT + H + M + U.

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Now, look at the below sales data. I want to consolidate the data and prepare a Region-wise report.

To analyze data, I will apply a pivot table by selecting the data.

• Select the data and then apply the Pivot Table.

Now look at the pivot table options; we don’t see Region heading because of merging cells in the raw data.

It will create complicated issues. However, in the final report, we need this merge and center option.

How to Use Shortcut Keys to Merge Cells in Excel?

To merge cells in Excel is very simple and easy by using shortcut keys. Let understand how to use the shortcut keys to merge cells in excel.

You can download this Shortcut Key to Merge Cells Excel Template here – Shortcut Key to Merge Cells Excel Template

Example #1

Look at the below final sales report year-wise, sales manager-wise, and region-wise.

A year is the main heading, and the year numbers are subheadings. In order to make the YEAR the main heading more beautiful, we need to merge the YEAR cell all the way through to the year numbers.

Select the number of cells you want to merge. In this case, I want to merge YEAR main heading from cell B1 to E1. Now press the shortcut key ALT + H + M + M.

We can also merge under the Home tab.

We need to merge the region as well. Select the cells A1:A2. Press the shortcut key ALT + H + M + M.

It will merge A1 and A2 cells as one.

Now the report looks neat and clear.

Example #2

Now, look at the year on Target vs the Actual report.

Select the cells A1:B1. Press the shortcut key ALT + H + M + M.

It will merge the selected cells.

Now you need not to do the merge for all the remaining years; rather, you can just select one more year and press the F4 function key. It will recall the previous action you performed in the previous action.

Now do the same thing for the remaining year as well. Your final report should look like the below one.

Different Alignment Options

Under alignment, we have different alignment options. Wrap Text, left alignment, right alignment.

Under the merge option, we have four things.

1. Merge & Centre: This will merge the cells and make the alignment center.
2. Merge Across: This will merge the cell and make alignment left alignment.
3. Merge Cells: This will also merge the cell and make alignment left alignment.
4. Unmerge Cells: This will remove all the merged cells to make the value allocated to one cell.

Limitations of Merged Cells

Limitation 1: Merged cells have more disadvantages than their advantages. There are multiple limitations to it.

Look at the below final report layout.

Now, if I want to select one particular row in this merged area, I cannot use the shortcut key.

If you press Ctrl + Space, it will select all the merged area columns altogether.

Limitation 2: If you want to merge the first name and last together, it will take out the right-hand side of the data and retain only the left side of the data.

Unmerge Cell by Using Excel Short Cut Key

Like how we have merged cells, similarly, we can unmerge cells too. If you want to unmerge a portion of the worksheet, select that portion or else if you want to unmerge all the merged cells in the worksheet, then select the entire worksheet.

I have selected the entire worksheet and will press ALT + H + M + U.

It will unmerge all the merged cells.

Things to Remember about Shortcut Keys to Merge Cells in Excel

• ALT + H + M + M is the shortcut key to merge cells in excel.
• ALT + H + M + U is the shortcut key to unmerge cells in excel.
• If you are merging two cells together, then it will take out the right-hand side of the data and retain only the left-hand side portion of the data.
• Merged raw data will cause a lot of problems. Avoid merged cells in the raw data.

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This has been a guide to Shortcut Keys to Merge Cells in Excel. Here we discuss how to use Shortcut keys to Merge Cells in Excel and its limitations, along with practical examples and downloadable excel template. You can also go through our other suggested articles –

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