Solved: How do I unmerge cells in Microsoft Excel spreadsheet?

Merging cells in Microsoft Excel can be a useful method for consolidating data that is spread across multiple columns or rows. In the event that you encounter unexpected results after merging cells, there are several methods you can use to unmerge cells in Excel. It is important to note that you can only unmerge cells that have been previously merged.

To unmerge cells in Excel, you can follow these methods:

Method 1: Use the “Merge” feature in the ribbon to unmerge cells.

Step 1: Select the merged cell(s) that you want to unmerge.

Step 2: Go to the “Home” tab on the ribbon.

Step 3: Click on the “Merge & Center” dropdown button in the “Alignment” group.

Step 4: Select “Unmerge Cells” from the dropdown menu.

That’s it! The selected merged cells will be unmerged.

Method 2: Use the “Format Cells” dialog box to unmerge cells.

Step 1: Select the merged cell(s) that you want to unmerge.

Step 2: Right-click on the cell, and then click on “Format Cells“.

Step 3: In the “Format Cells” dialog box, click on the “Alignment” tab.

Step 4: Click on the “Merge cells” check box to clear it.

Step 5: Click on “OK” to unmerge the cells.

Method 3: Use the keyboard shortcut “Alt + H + M + U” to unmerge cells in Excel.

Step 1: Select the merged cell(s) that you want to unmerge.

Step 2: Press the “Alt” key on your keyboard. While holding down the “Alt” key, press “H”, “M”, and “U” in sequence. This will unmerge the selected cell.

Method 4: Use the “Find and Replace” dialog box to unmerge cells.

Step 1: Select the range that has the cells that you want to unmerge.

Step 2: Hold the Control key and press the F key (or Command + F if you’re using Mac). This will open the “Find and Replace” dialog box. Alternatively, go to the “Home” tab on the ribbon and click on the Find & Select > Find in the Editing section of the ribbon.

Step 3: In the “Find and Replace” dialog box, click on the “Format” button.

Step 4: Click on “Clear” to unmerge the cells.

Method 5: Unmerge Cells from Entire Excel Worksheet.

Step 1: Select the entire worksheet by clicking on the “Select All” button (the box above row 1 and to the left of column A).

Step 2: Go to the “Home” tab on the ribbon.

Step 3: Click on the “Merge & Center” dropdown button in the “Alignment” group.

Step 4: Select “Unmerge Cells” from the dropdown menu.

That’s it! The selected merged cells will be unmerged.

Method 6: Insert the Unmerge Option in Quick Access Toolbar

Step 1: Click on the “Customize Quick Access Toolbar” dropdown button (the down arrow at the end of the Quick Access Toolbar). Alternatively, you can right-click on the Quick Access Toolbar and select Customize Quick Access Toolbar.

Step 2: Select “More Commands” from the dropdown menu.

Step 3: In the “Excel Options” dialog box, select “All Commands” from the “Choose commands from” dropdown menu.

Step 4: Scroll down and select “Unmerge Cells”.

Step 5: Click on the “Add” button.

Step 6: Click on the “OK” button.

Method 7: Unmerge Cells after Finding All Merged Cells

Step 1: Press “Ctrl” + “F” on your keyboard to open the “Find and Replace” dialog box. Alternatively, go to the “Home” tab on the ribbon and click on the Find & Select > Find in the Editing section of the ribbon.

Step 2: Click on the “Options” button.

Step 3: Click on the “Format” button.

Step 4: Select “Alignment” from the “Find Format” dialog box.

Step 5: Check the “Merge cells” checkbox.

Step 6: Click on the “Find All” button. This will show all merged cells in a new window.

Step 7: Select the merged cell(s) that you want to unmerge.

Step 8: Go to the “Home” tab on the ribbon.

Step 9: Click on the “Merge & Center” dropdown button in the “Alignment” group.

Step 10: Select “Unmerge Cells” from the dropdown menu.

Method 8: Copy the Actual Value in Every Unmerged Cell

Step 1: Select the merged cell(s) that you want to unmerge.

Step 2: Go to the “Home” tab on the ribbon.

Step 3: Click on the “Merge & Center” dropdown button in the “Alignment” group.

Step 4: Select “Unmerge Cells” from the dropdown menu.

Step 5: Select the unmerged cell(s).

Step 6: Press “Ctrl” + “C” on your keyboard to copy the value(s).

Step 7: Select the merged cell(s) again.

Step 8: Press “Ctrl” + “V” on your keyboard to paste the value(s).

Step 9: Select all merged cells that you want to unmerge.

Step 10: Press “Ctrl” + “C” to copy them.

Step 11: Right-click on any cell where you want to paste values.

Step 12: Select Paste Special > Values.

Method 9: Use Excel VBA to Copy the Original Value in Unmerged Cells

Step 1: Press “Alt” + “F11” on your keyboard to open the Visual Basic Editor.

Step 2: Click on “Insert” in the menu bar.

Step 3: Click on “Module”.

Step 4: Copy and paste the following code into the module:

Sub UnmergeCells()
Dim Rng As Range
For Each Rng In Selection
If Rng.MergeCells Then
Rng.MergeCells = False
Rng.Value = Rng.MergeArea.Cells(1, 1).Value
End If
Next Rng
End Sub

or

Sub UnMergeCells()
Dim Rng As Range
For Each Rng In Selection.Cells
If Rng.MergeCells Then
Rng.MergeCells = False
Rng.Value = Rng.Value
End If
Next Rng
End Sub

Step 5: Press “F5” on your keyboard to run the code.

Step 6: Select the merged cell(s) that you want to unmerge.

Step 7: Go to the “Developer” tab on the ribbon.

Step 8: Click on the “Macros” dropdown button in the “Code” group.

Step 9: Select “UnmergeCells” from the dropdown menu.

Step 10: Click on the “Run” button.

Conclusion

In conclusion, merging cells in Excel can be a powerful tool to consolidate data and improve the presentation of a worksheet. However, it is important to be cautious when using this feature, as unexpected results may occur. Fortunately, Excel provides several methods to unmerge cells if necessary. By understanding how to properly use and undo cell merging, you can effectively manage your data and create organized and visually appealing spreadsheets.