Simple Steps to Combine Cells in Google Sheets Without Losing Data

Hey there! Today, I want to show you a nifty trick on how to merge cells in Google Sheets without losing any of your precious data. It’s super easy, so let’s dive right in!

First things first, why would you want to merge cells? Well, sometimes you may have a table or spreadsheet where you want to combine certain cells to create a larger, more organized layout. But merging cells can be a bit tricky, as it can easily erase any data contained within those cells. Luckily, I’ve got a solution for you!

To begin, open up your Google Sheets document and locate the cells you want to merge. Simply click and drag your cursor over these cells to select them. You can select cells by clicking on the first cell, holding down your mouse button, and dragging the cursor to the last cell you want to include. Easy peasy!

Once you’ve selected the cells, go ahead and right-click anywhere within the selected area. A dropdown menu will appear. Look for the “Merge cells” option and click on it. Voila! Your cells are now merged into one larger cell, maintaining all the data that was previously stored within them. Pretty neat, right?

Now, keep in mind that merging cells can sometimes cause formatting issues, especially if the original cells had different formats. So, it’s a good idea to double-check and adjust the formatting of the merged cell if necessary. Simply right-click on the merged cell, go to “Format”, and choose the formatting options that suit your needs.

And that’s it! You now know how to merge cells in Google Sheets without losing any data. Use this handy trick to create beautiful, organized spreadsheets that make your data pop. Happy merging!

Sometimes, you’ll need to combine cells while you’re working on your spreadsheet.

Merging cells is a common task, and Google Sheets provides a few ways to do it.

You can merge cells by using a formula that combines their values. But keep in mind that this will make your original data disappear, leaving only the new merged cells.

However, there’s a way to avoid losing your data. You’ll need to get a Google Sheets add-on. If you’re interested, keep reading!

Step 1: Get the ‘Merge Values’ Add-On

The ‘Merge Values’ add-on allows you to combine cells and display the merged values in separate columns or rows. This way, you’ll keep all your original data while also getting the combined values.

Here’s what you need to do to download ‘Merge Values’:

1. Open your Google Sheets.
2. Click on the ‘Add-ons’ tab at the top of the page.
3. Select ‘Get add-ons’.
4. Type ‘Merge Values’ in the search bar.
5. Click on the ‘Merge Values’ icon.
6. Click the blue ‘Install’ button.

You may be asked to give permission for Google Sheets to install the add-on. Simply confirm, sign in to your account if needed, and allow permission. Then, wait for the add-on to install.

Step 2: Get Familiar with the ‘Merge Values’ Add-on

Once you’ve installed ‘Merge Values,’ you’ll find it in the ‘Add-ons’ menu. Here’s how to use it:

1. To start merging cells, click on the ‘Add-ons’ tab at the top of your screen.
2. Once you’ve done that, hover your mouse over ‘Merge Values’. This will bring up a new menu on the side.
3. Click on ‘Start’. You’ll see a box called ‘Merge Values’ appear.

This box contains everything you need to merge cells without losing any data.

Next, you’ll see the ‘Choose how to merge selected values’ option. Here, you can decide if you want to combine the values of the rows, columns, or place them all in a single cell. The right choice depends on the type of sheet you have.

Below that, you’ll find the ‘Separate values with:’ option. This allows you to choose the separator between values from different cells. The recommended separators are Space, Comma, Semicolon, or Line Break. But you can also pick any other symbol or key, or even multiple separators.

The final drop-down menu lets you choose where to place your new merged cells. You can select either the left or right side of the selected cells.

There are also additional options below, such as clearing the original data, skipping empty cells, wrapping text, and more.

Now that you know what’s in the editor box, you’re ready to merge your cells.

Third Step – Merging the Cells

Merging cells is easy once you understand how the add-on works. Let’s give it a try:

1. Open the spreadsheet with the cells you want to merge.
2. Select two or more different cells (or entire rows or columns) by clicking on them while holding the Left Ctrl key.
3. Open the ‘Merge Values’ box (follow the steps from the previous section).
4. Choose your preferred options from the box. If you’re unsure about certain options, don’t worry! You can always undo the merging process, so feel free to experiment.
5. Click the blue ‘Merge’ button at the bottom of the box and wait for the process to finish.
6. You should see the results right away.

The original data will stay in its place, while the new merged value will appear in the adjacent cell.

You can also do the same thing for entire rows and columns. Just hold the Left Ctrl key and click on the column or row header (letters for columns, numbers for rows). This will highlight all the cells, so you can choose how you want to merge them using the ‘Merge Values’ box.

If you’re not satisfied with the end result and want to change the options, simply click the ‘Undo’ button at the top left of the screen. You can start over from scratch.

One Downside – The Add-On Isn’t Completely Free

The ‘Merge Values’ add-on is a convenient and fast way to combine cells while preserving all the original data. It’s also user-friendly and allows you to fix any mistakes right away.

The only downside is that you have to pay if you want to use it constantly. However, if you only need to use it a few times, the free trial should be enough to meet your needs.

Do you use a different add-on to merge cells? Share your experiences in the comments section below.