How Do I Merge Columns in Microsoft Excel?
Merging columns together in Microsoft Excel is a simple process accomplished with basic commands. Merging columns combines the contents of two or more columns into a single column. This creates unique formatting options such as centering the contents across merged columns, or quick formatting as the merged columns can now be altered as one unit.
Instructions
1. Examine your Excel spreadsheet and determine which columns you would like to merge. Columns being merged must be adjacent to each other. You can merge two or more columns at a time.
2. Click and drag with your mouse across the top of the spreadsheet to highlight the columns you are merging. Do this across the row of letters at the top to highlight the entire column.
3. Click on the "Toolbox" icon at the top of the window to open the formatting palette (if you don't already see it on-screen).
4. Click on the "Merge Cells" box under the "Indentation and Merge" subheading to complete the merge. This is found in the "Alignment" section.
5. Add formatting to the new column, if desired, by clicking at the top of the new column to highlight it and then using the tools on the formatting palette. Alter the vertical or horizontal alignment by clicking on the appropriate choice in the "Alignment and Spacing" section on the formatting palette. Vertical alignment allows you to set the contents at the top, bottom or center of the column. Horizontal alignment will similarly place the contents on the left, right or centered across the column. To add background color, click on "Color" under the "Borders and Shading" area and select a color from the menu that appears. The formatting you select will be immediately applied to the entire column.
