Method 2: Custom Quick Access Toolbar
If you use Merge Across frequently, we recommend adding this feature to the Quick Access Toolbar so that it can be used with just one button.
Steps:
1. Navigate to the Home > Merge & Center menu, then click the dropdown.
2. Right-click on Merge Across, then select Add to Quick Access Toolbar.
3. Merge Across now appears at the top of Excel.
Use the combination of Alt + [Icon number] for faster access.
With this method, you can combine cells with just one click, without having to open the menu repeatedly. Suitable for users who frequently work with report templates, table headers, or presentation data.
Fatal Mistakes to Avoid When Using Merge Across
While the Merge Across feature is very useful for tidying up the appearance of tables, some major mistakes need to be avoided so as not to damage the structure and function of your data.
Don’t Use Merge Across for Dynamic Data
Merge Across is not suitable for use in tables that will be dynamically analyzed, such as:
- Pivot Table
- Power Query
- Sort & Filter
- Tables with logical formulas (VLOOKUP, INDEX-MATCH, etc.)
Combining cells in this area can cause Excel to fail to read the data structure correctly, leading to errors during processing.
Professional Alternative: Neat Look Without Joining Cells
To avoid these risks, use one of the following two alternatives:
1. Center Across Selection
Displays text in the center of the cell without actually merging.
Steps:
- Horizontal cell blocks (e.g., A1:D1)
- Press Ctrl + 1 (Format Cells)
- Go to the Alignment tab
- In the section Horizontal, select: Center Across Selection
- Click OK
2. Wrap Text
Wrap long text to look neat in a single cell without merging.
Steps:
- Select a cell that contains long text
- Click the Home > Wrap Text
Use Merge Across only for visual elements such as headers or fixed labels. For data to be dynamically analyzed, avoid merging and use safer alternatives such as Center Across Selection or Wrap Text.