To merge cells in Google Sheets, select the cells, click Format > Merge cells, and choose Merge all, Merge horizontally, or Merge vertically. You can also click the Merge cells button in the toolbar. To undo it, select the merged cell and choose Format > Merge cells > Unmerge.
Google lists merging among the formatting tools on its Edit & format a spreadsheet help page.
How to Merge Cells in Google Sheets
- Select the cells you want to combine.
- Click Format at the top.
- Point to Merge cells.
- Choose Merge all, Merge horizontally, or Merge vertically.
Result: the selected cells become one larger cell. The content keeps its default alignment, so use the align buttons if you want it centered.
Use the toolbar button
Clicking the Merge cells icon in the toolbar merges all the selected cells. Click the drop-down arrow next to it to choose Merge horizontally or Merge vertically instead.
The data warning
If more than one selected cell has data, Sheets warns that merging will only keep the upper-left value and discard the others. Click OK to continue or Cancel to keep your data.
Merge Options Explained
- Merge all: turns the whole selection into one cell. It’s grayed out if your selection isn’t one connected range.
- Merge horizontally: merges each row of the selection separately. With one row selected, it does the same as Merge all.
- Merge vertically: merges each column of the selection separately. With one column selected, it does the same as Merge all.
How to Unmerge Cells
- Click the merged cell.
- Click Format > Merge cells.
- Choose Unmerge.
Result: the cell splits back into separate cells. The content stays in the upper-left cell, and the others become empty.
How to Merge Cells Without Losing Data
Because merging keeps only the upper-left value, combine the text first:
- In an empty cell, combine the values with a formula such as =TEXTJOIN(“, “, TRUE, A1:C1) or =A1 & ” ” & B1.
- Copy the result and paste it as values only with Ctrl + Shift + V.
- Then merge the cells.
How to Merge Cells in the Sheets App
There are two ways in the Android and iPhone app: select the cells and tap the Merge button at the bottom, or tap Format, open the Cell tab, and turn on the Merge option. It notes the app only merges the whole selection, without the horizontal or vertical options.
When Merging Causes Problems
- Sorting: Sheets won’t sort a range that contains merged cells. Unmerge first.
- Filtering and formulas: Filters and formulas can skip or misread merged cells, so avoid merging inside data tables.
- Copying: Copying a merged cell pastes another merged cell. Paste as values if you only want the content.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a keyboard shortcut to merge cells?
Not a direct one. Try pressing Alt + O + M to open the merge options from the keyboard, then choosing Merge all.
Why can’t I merge cells?
Your spreadsheet might be locked. Merge all is also unavailable if your selection isn’t one connected range.
Related Guides
- How to wrap text in Google Sheets
- How to align text in Google Sheets
- How to add borders in Google Sheets
Collecting data from other people? See how to make a survey with Google Forms that sends answers to Sheets.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read hundreds of millions of times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.