Question

How will you combine multiple cells into one in MS-Excel? What steps will you follow to reverse the process? Explain.

Hint:

Give three steps to merge cells using the Alignment group on the Home tab, and three steps to split by clicking Merge and Centre again.

Answer 1

Step 1: What the question needs:
We need two sets of steps. The first set combines many cells into one cell, which is called merging. The second set reverses it, which is called splitting a merged cell. Each set has three steps of 1 mark each, so the total is 6 marks.

Step 2: Merging, step 1:
Select two or more adjacent cells that we want to merge.
The cells must touch each other, in one row or one column or as a block.

Step 3: Merging, step 2:
On the Home tab, go to the Alignment group and click Merge and Centre. The cells join into one cell and the content is centred.

Step 4: Merging, step 3:
To merge without centring, click the arrow next to Merge and Centre and choose Merge Cells.
The address of the merged cell is the address of the lower active cell.

Step 5: Splitting, step 1:
Select the merged cell. Only a merged cell can be split.

Step 6: Splitting, step 2:
When we select a merged cell, the Merge and Centre button also shows as selected in the Alignment group on the Home tab. This tells us the cell is merged.

Step 7: Splitting, step 3:
Click Merge and Centre again to split the merged cell.
The content of the merged cell then sits in the upper left cell of the range of split cells.

Final Answer:
Merge: select adjacent cells, click Merge and Centre on the Home tab, or use the arrow for Merge Cells. Split: select the merged cell and click Merge and Centre again.