How to Merge Cells in Google Sheets?

Can’t figure out how to merge cells in Google Sheets? You’ve landed at the right place. In this blog post, I will help you merge cells in Sheets and create headers for better data organization.  

Google spreadsheets are quite flexible and offer you a range of functions like sorting, filtering, and creating charts. But if you don’t thoroughly understand the platform, it gets a bit tricky to navigate data without losing anything crucial.  

In this guide, I will walk you through the process of how to merge cells in Sheets. Let’s get started.  

Why Merge Cells in Google Sheets?  

Merging cells in Google Sheets is a game-changer if you want to organize and present your data more effectively. Using this feature, you can make your spreadsheets visually appealing and categorize data into different sections more effectively.  

When you merge cells in Google Sheets, you are also able to create sleek headers that span multiple columns, without modifying cell size.  

Different Ways to Merge Two Cells in Google Sheets 

Before jumping to how to merge cells in Google Sheets, let’s understand different ways of completing this procedure:  

• Merge All: This is your go-to option when you want to combine multiple cells into one big cell. Remember, here only the top-left cell’s content will survive the merge.  

• Merge Horizontally: Pick this option when you want to keep the rows intact but want to stretch a cell across multiple columns.  

• Merge Vertically: If you want to stack cells on top of each other, you need to merge cells in Google Sheets vertically.  

Based on the type of marketing or social media report you’re working on, your requirement for types of Sheets merge cells might vary.  

How to Merge Cells in Google Sheets?  

To show how to merge cells in Google Sheets, I’m first importing data from a LinkedIn page using the Vaizle free tool. Now, I have data for a 30-day period.  

Let’s see how to merge cells in Sheets:  

Step 1: Select your cells 

Select the range of cells that you want to merge. This can be a single column, a single row, or a rectangular range of cells. 

(Here, I want to merge the columns Impressions, Clicks, and Likes into one column.)  

Step 2: Find the merge button 

Spot the ‘Merge Cells’ icon in the Google Sheets toolbar.  

(PS: The merge cells Google Sheet icon looks like two squares merging into one. This icon is only active when two or more cells are selected.)  

You can also find it by clicking ‘Format’ in the top menu and then hovering over ‘Merge Cells.’  

Step 3: Choose the merge style  

Here’s where you get the options to pick how to merge two cells in Google Sheets: horizontally, vertically, or all.  

Based on the cells I’ve selected; I’m getting the option to merge all or merge horizontally.  

Step 4: Confirm the cell merge 

Now, Google Sheets will confirm whether you want to really merge cells or not. If you decide to go ahead, only the top-left cell’s value will survive.  

Click on the ‘OK’ button to confirm the Sheets merged cells procedure.  

Step 5: Unmerge the cells (if needed)  

If you want to unmerge the cells later, you can right-click on the merged cell and choose the “Unmerge cells” option from the context menu. 

Merge Cells Shortcut in Google Sheets  

The merge cells shortcut Google Sheets is helpful when you want to repeat the process over and over again.  

For Mac users: 

Press Control + Option + O + M  

For Windows users: 

Press Alt + O + M  

Note: Google Sheets does not offer a direct keyboard shortcut for merging cells. Firstly, you will have to select the cells, press the above-mentioned buttons, and then pick the merge style you want to work on.  

Best Practices for Merging Cells in Google Sheets  

When merging cells in Google Sheets, it’s important to keep a few best practices in mind to avoid losing any important data: 

Always double-check your selection 

Before going ahead with the Sheets merge cells option, make sure you have selected the correct range of cells. Remember, merging the wrong cells can lead to data loss or unexpected changes in your spreadsheet. 

Be cautious with formulas and functions 

Merging cells can affect formulas and functions that reference the merged cells. Make sure to review and update any affected formulas to ensure they still work correctly after merging. 

Consider using center alignment 

Merged cells are often used for labels or headings. To improve the visual presentation, consider applying center alignment to the merged cell to align the text in the middle of the cell. 

By following these best practices, you can safely merge cells in Google Sheets without compromising your data integrity. 

Troubleshooting Common Issues When Merging Cells in Sheets  

As you can see, merging cells in Google Sheets is generally a straightforward process. However, you may encounter some common issues like:  

• Error messages: Check if there are any conflicting formulas or functions in the merged cells. Adjust the formulas or unmerge the cells to resolve the issue. 

• Unexpected cell expansion: If you feel like the structure of your spreadsheet is distorted, try adjusting the layout or unmerging the cells. 

Bring Your Data to Google Sheets with Vaizle  

That was all about how to merge cells in Google Sheets easily.  

Now, let’s jump to the process of managing data from various social and ad platforms by seamlessly importing them to Google spreadsheets.  

Normally, you’d head to the native platform, download a CSV file, and upload it on Google Sheets. (The whole process can get a little overwhelming if you repeat it daily.)  

That’s where Vaizle steps in to streamline your workflow. With no-code connector tools, you can easily import data from different platforms without installing any extensions or Sheet add-ons.  

Bonus part? You can get 30 days of data free!  

Using Vaizle’s Google Sheets connectors is a simple process. Simply:  

• Link your social media or ad account with Vaizle 

• Select the account for which you want to import data 

• Enter the Google Sheet link and Sheet name  

Voila – you will see that Vaizle has created a separate tab with the last 30 days of data within seconds.  

Conclusion  

Knowing how to merge cells in Google Sheets is important if you create ads or social media reports regularly. With the cell merge feature, you can make your data look more organized, create headers, or combine text across multiple cells for a cleaner presentation. 

Now, I’d advise you to experiment with the merge cells Google Sheets feature and get the hang of it completely.  

Meanwhile, if you’re eager to track your marketing performance and get the best out of analytics, head to Vaizle and sign up for a 7-day trial.