Merging cells combines two or more cells into one larger cell

In Microsoft Word, merging cells means taking adjacent cells in a table and combining them into a single cell. The content from the leftmost cell stays; content in other cells you're merging gets deleted unless you copy it first. This is useful when you want a header to span multiple columns, or when your table layout needs cells of different widths in different rows.

Word handles merging differently depending on whether you're using the desktop version (Windows or Mac), Word Online, or another document editor. The steps below cover the desktop version, which is what most people use. If you're working in Word Online or Google Docs, the process is similar but the menu locations differ slightly.

Key Takeaways

  • Select the cells you want to merge by clicking and dragging across them, then right-click and choose "Merge Cells" from the menu.
  • Word keeps the content from the top-left cell and deletes content from other cells, so copy any text you need before merging.
  • You can unmerge cells later by selecting the merged cell, right-clicking, and choosing "Split Cells" to return them to separate cells.
  • If you're using Word Online, the merge option appears in the Table Design tab at the top of the screen rather than in a right-click menu.

Selecting the cells you want to merge

Click inside the first cell you want to merge. Hold down your mouse button and drag to the last cell in the group. All cells in between will highlight in blue. You can merge cells horizontally (across columns), vertically (down rows), or in a rectangular block.

Be careful to select only the cells you actually want to combine. If you select too many, you can click elsewhere to deselect and start over. Word won't let you merge cells that aren't touching each other — the merge option will be grayed out if your selection is invalid.

Using the right-click menu to merge

Once your cells are selected, right-click anywhere in the highlighted area. A menu appears with table options. Look for "Merge Cells" and click it. The cells combine into one, and the borders between them disappear.

If "Merge Cells" is grayed out, it usually means your selection includes cells that aren't adjacent, or you've selected cells in a way Word doesn't recognize as mergeable. Try selecting again, making sure to drag in a straight line across or down.

What happens to the content when you merge

Word keeps the text or data from the top-left cell in your selection. Any content in the other cells you're merging gets deleted. If those cells contain information you need, copy it to a text file or another location before you merge.

After merging, the new cell is one continuous space. If you had text in multiple cells, you can manually type it back in, separated by line breaks or spaces, depending on what you need the table to show.

Merging cells in Word Online

If you're using Word Online (the browser version), the process is slightly different. Select your cells the same way — click and drag to highlight them. Then look at the top of the screen for the "Table Design" tab. Click it, and you'll see a "Merge Cells" button in the ribbon.

Word Online's interface is simpler than the desktop version, so fewer options appear. If you need more control over table formatting, the desktop version gives you more flexibility, though merging itself works the same way.

Unmerging cells if you change your mind

Click on the merged cell to select it. Right-click and choose "Split Cells." A dialog box appears asking how many rows and columns you want to split it into. Enter the numbers and click OK. The merged cell becomes separate cells again.

When you split a merged cell, the content stays in the top-left cell of the new grid. The other new cells will be empty. This is why it's important to keep a copy of any text you deleted during the original merge — splitting won't bring it back.

Merging cells in Google Docs and other editors

Google Docs doesn't have a dedicated merge function the way Word does. Instead, you can delete the borders between cells to create the visual effect of a merged cell, or you can copy your table into Word, merge there, and paste it back. Some users find it easier to just work around the limitation by adjusting column widths instead.

If you use LibreOffice, the merge option appears in the Table menu at the top. Select your cells, click Table, then Merge Cells. The steps are nearly identical to Word, just in a different location. Always check your specific editor's help documentation if you're unsure where the option is.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I merge cells diagonally across a table?

No. Word only merges cells that form a rectangular block — either a row, a column, or a rectangle made of multiple rows and columns. You can't merge cells in an L-shape or diagonal pattern.

What if I accidentally merged the wrong cells?

Click the merged cell, right-click, and choose "Split Cells." You can split it back into the original number of cells. Then select the correct cells and merge those instead. Use Ctrl+Z (or Cmd+Z on Mac) to undo if you want to go back to the state before any merge.

Can I merge cells that have different formatting?

Yes. When you merge, Word keeps the formatting of the top-left cell. The formatting from other cells is discarded. If you need specific formatting in the merged cell, explore it after merging.

Does merging cells affect how the table prints?

No. Merged cells print exactly as they appear on screen. The table layout stays the same whether cells are merged or separate, so your printed document will match what you see in Word.

Can I merge cells in a table I copied from another document?

Yes. Once the table is in your Word document, you can merge its cells the same way you would with any other table. The source doesn't matter — the merge function works on any table in your current document.