In fact, these are two of the most used programs in this sense in the world, since they offer all kinds of functions for the numbers. Therefore, in these lines we want to focus on the proposal presented by the search giant. Specifically, we are going to show you how to merge cells, all in order to keep the spreadsheet well organized and easier to understand.
Sheets, Google’s online spreadsheet
If you don’t know Sheets yet, you should know that it is the Google spreadsheet. With it we can perform all kinds of operations and calculations. This application has little to envy to the popular Microsoft Excel. With it we can perform all kinds of tasks such as creating lists and graphs, making dynamic tables, using conditional formatting, using formulas, etc. In addition, it has a differential function such as online collaboration, not in vain it is a 100% online application, which will allow us to work online.
As it is a 100% online application, if we want to start working with Google Sheets, it will not be necessary to download or install any program. It will only be necessary to have a Google account that we can create completely free of charge. This makes it possible for us to work with all of Google’s online documents, which is gradually adding new features that allow us to work more and more comfortably and efficiently.
Sheets has the ability to merge cells, becoming a perfect way to keep our spreadsheet well organized. It is characterized by being easy to understand and implement. In general, its most common use is usually carried out in the headers, to be able to identify the content in several columns. Although it is something that can be done perfectly anywhere on the sheet that requires it. These types of tasks allow us to manage the data in a much more complete way, taking into account the way in which the data is registered, so it can be very useful for us.
And it is that the combination of data in a cell is something that any user should know and know how to use. This is because data sources almost always require editing and cleaning to be useful, so it will be necessary to be able to combine or merge cells. To perform this function, it will only be necessary to have two or more cells that contain data and a destination cell where to display the data.
How to merge spreadsheet cells in Google Sheets
As we have commented, one of the characteristics of this program of Googleis that it works in the cloud, so we access it from the Web navigator. To do this, all we need is to have a Google account and click on . The next thing will be to choose if we want to opt for the “Personal” account and from it we can create, edit and collaborate from anywhere and for free, or opt for Google Workspace, which is the option for companies.
First of all, we will tell you that these programs focused on spreadsheets and numerical data processing seem to be focused on a totally business environment. But that is not true at all, since applications like Excel or Google Sheets offer us enough functions and such a variety to adapt perfectly to the home environment. Thanks to the user interface that these software solutions offer us, can be used for a multitude of tasks that we do at home. We are talking about organizational tasks such as calendars or to-do lists, carrying out basic accounts, or simply household accounting.
Furthermore, despite the complexity that a spreadsheet program can represent in business use, at a domestic level its developers try to make things much easier for us. To do this, they offer us different functions and work methods such as the one we want to teach you along these same lines. You have to combine the cells that make up the user interface of the program will solve many problems, especially when we have gained experience in this treatment.
Mark the cells to merge and use the different blend modes
Therefore, once we open the document sheets in which we are working and that contains the data that we have available to fuse we will have to carry out the corresponding functions to be able to combine the desired cells. Thus, the first thing we do on the sheet is mark the cells that we are going to combine with the mouse.
After this, we go to the “Format / Combine cells” menu, where we find three options for this task that we are carrying out. On the one hand, we can “Merge all”, with which all the cells in one, either horizontally or vertically. We also find “Merge Horizontally” which merges the selected cells in a row, and “Merge Vertically”, which does it, but in a column.
Whether we choose one merge method or another will depend to a large extent on the design of our project in Google Sheets. However, over time and as we gain experience using the program, we will organize the data to get the most out of features like this. And it is that in the future we will save a lot of effort and time when it comes to modifying the tables created here.
Merge cells in Google Sheets and organize your sheets
Thus, depending on the direction the cells are facing, we may not be able to fuse horizontally or vertically. Once we have selected the appropriate or permitted option, a notice will appear on the screen in the event that there is data in the cells we are trying to merge. This informs us that only the content in the leftmost cell will remain after the cell merge.
We must bear in mind that the content of all the others is deleted in the process, so we click on “OK” to continue. In this way, once the process has been completed, which is immediate, all the marked cells will be merged into a larger one, depending on the quantity. Likewise, this new cell that is generated will cover the length of those selected before.
To say that this is a function that will be very helpful when introducing and working with textsin addition to with numeric data in the spreadsheet. This will open a wide range of possibilities for us, since we will not see the limitation of a conventional cell when entering data. Once we are introducing new contents in the new large cell, we will be able to align them based on our needs. We achieve this through the alignment function found in the upper controls of the Sheets interface.
Therefore, as we can see first-hand, when working together with multiple data, this program makes things much easier for us. At the same time, we must take into account that this is only one of the many functions of this type that sheets proposes to us What we mean by this is that we should not fear spreadsheet-based programs, since they are an excellent solution for a multitude of jobs. In addition, having knowledge about these applications will open many doors for us in the professional market.
Return cells to their original state
As you can imagine, the usefulness of the different cell combination functions that we can carry out in Google Sheets are endless. Depending on the type of design that we are going to use in our spreadsheets, we will be able to take advantage of all this when inserting graphics or working with texts, for example. This is something that we can carry out globally, with the horizontal or vertical cells, as we have verified before.
However, later the circumstance may arise that we need to return the combination of cells that we have made to its original state. Either by mistake or by some other situation, it may be the case that we need to separate those cells that we have previously joined. Well, we will tell you that, to undo the combination, the Google office application also makes it very easy for us.
For all this we only have to go to the Format menu today as we mentioned when combining the cells, but in this case we opted for the Separate option. Obviously, for all this to be effective, we will first have to mark the cell or cells previously combined.