Merging cells in Word 2016 tables is a great way to organize and present information clearly. It’s a simple process that involves selecting the cells you want to merge, right-clicking, and choosing the ‘Merge Cells’ option. By following a few easy steps, you can create a cleaner, more professional-looking table in no time.
Step by Step Tutorial: How to Merge Cells in Word 2016 Tables
Before we dive into the steps, let’s understand what merging cells does. It combines two or more cells to create one larger cell. This is particularly useful for headings or categories that span across multiple columns or rows.
Step 1: Select the cells you want to merge
Click and drag to highlight the cells that you want to combine into one.
When you select the cells, make sure you only highlight the ones you want to merge. If you accidentally include an extra cell, it could throw off your entire table’s layout.
Step 2: Right-click on the selected cells
With the cells selected, right-click on them to bring up a contextual menu.
The right-click menu gives you a lot of options, but for merging cells, we’re only interested in one. Make sure you don’t click outside of the selected cells, or you’ll have to start over.
Step 3: Click on ‘Merge Cells’
From the menu that appears, click on the ‘Merge Cells’ option.
Once you click ‘Merge Cells,’ the selected cells will become one larger cell. Any text that was in the individual cells will now be combined into the merged cell.
After completing these steps, the cells you selected will have merged into one. This can help you create a header for your table, or simply organize your information better.
Tips: Enhancing Your Word 2016 Tables
- Always back up your document before making significant changes, like merging cells.
- Consider the layout of your table before merging cells, as it’s a decision that can affect the entire table’s structure.
- Use the ‘Undo’ feature (Ctrl + Z) if you merge cells by mistake.
- Keep in mind that once cells are merged, they can’t contain individual data anymore.
- If you need to reverse the merge, you can always select the merged cell, right-click, and choose ‘Split Cells.’
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I merge cells diagonally?
No, cells in Word tables can only be merged horizontally or vertically.
Merging cells diagonally isn’t an option in Word 2016. You can only merge cells that are next to each other in the same row or column.
What happens to the text in the cells when they are merged?
The text from all the merged cells will combine into the new, larger cell.
When you merge cells that contain text, the text will be joined together in the merged cell. If there’s a lot of text, you might need to adjust the formatting to make sure it fits properly.
Can I split a merged cell back into individual cells?
Yes, just right-click the merged cell and select ‘Split Cells.’
If you change your mind after merging cells, you can easily split them back into individual cells by using the ‘Split Cells’ option in the right-click menu.
Will merging cells affect the border lines in my table?
Yes, merging cells will remove the border lines that were between the merged cells.
When you merge cells, the borders that used to separate them will disappear, so your table’s appearance will change slightly.
Can I merge non-adjacent cells?
No, you can only merge cells that are next to each other.
Merging non-adjacent cells isn’t possible in Word 2016. You’ll need to rearrange your table if you want to merge cells that aren’t directly touching.
Summary
- Select the cells to merge.
- Right-click on the selected cells.
- Click on ‘Merge Cells.’
Conclusion
Merging cells in Word 2016 tables is a straightforward process that can greatly enhance the readability and appearance of your tables. It can be used to create cleaner headers or group related information together. As with any feature in Word, practice makes perfect. So, don’t be afraid to experiment with merging cells in different configurations to see what works best for your document. Remember, if you make a mistake, the ‘Undo’ button is your friend. By using this guide, you’ll be merging cells like a pro in no time. Keep exploring the other amazing features Word 2016 has to offer to turn your documents into professional and polished pieces of work. Happy merging!
Matt has been working with WordPress and creating content using this powerful content management system for years. While he has written about many other tech topics, WordPress is one of his favorites.
You can read his full bio here.