PROBLEM: when I use “Format as Table” to format a range the “Merge and Center” button becomes inactive and I can no longer merge cells. Why?
SOLUTION: the Table format will stop the merging of cells. However there is a work-around.
The Format as Table command can be used to quickly apply a professional format to a selected range. However, in applying the format you are also applying the functionality that Tables offer. As a result you will no longer be able to merge cells.
To remove the Table functionality and keep the formatting:
1. Apply the Table format.
2. Select any cell within the formatted range and then click the Table Tools, Design tab up on the Ribbon.
3. On here you will find a button called Convert to Range. Click this and then click Yes.
4. Your range will now be converted back to a normal range and you will now be able to merge the cells. . The formatting will remain. However all of the functionality that goes with using Tables will no longer be available.
Inserting Tables is covered in my Excel Stage 3 course along with utilising Tables for dynamic data ranges in Pivot Tables.
Sharyn is an expert trainer. She became the first certified Microsoft® MOUS Authorised Instructor in New Zealand.
Join the 'Excel at Work Insiders' group today!
100% free. Join now and unlock offers exclusive to this group!
And gain instant access to your first exclusive bonus:
'Steps to becoming Proficient in Excel'!
A list of over 100 skill topics you need to know to become a proficient user of Excel
She is endorsed by Microsoft® as a qualified Microsoft® Office Specialist and has more than 20 years of experience in the training industry, developing and delivering technology training workshops. Her approach to taking the “techie-speak” out of technology training has placed her as a preferred supplier to many of New Zealand’s leading organisations.
If you enjoyed this you may also enjoy...
Excel Tables
Managing, analysing and referencing lists of data becomes easier when you know how to use Excel Tables. There are so many advantages to using Tables which I will cover within this post. Once you see how helpful they are I’m pretty sure you will be using Tables a lot. When you insert a Table over a list
Excel – How do I change a Pivot Table back to the classic (version 2003 and earlier) display?
Learn how to change a Pivot Table back to the classic display of version 2003 and earlier. If you were familiar with Pivot tables in Excel versions prior to Excel 2007 you will be very used to the classic display of working with the blue lines of the Pivot Table and the ability to drag and
Excel – Using VLOOKUP to compare two lists
If you want to save yourself a huge amount of time when reconciling data, learn how to use VLOOKUP to compare two lists or columns of data. Years ago the Training and Development manager of a large organisation invited me to spend some time in their Accounts department in order to observe how the Accounts team
Excel – How can I do a VLOOKUP based on more than one value?
There are times when you want to return a match for a VLOOKUP based on more than one value. For example, we may have customers who have multiple branches. Each branch is recorded under the same customer number. So how do we look up info for a specific branch if all of the branches are
Excel – Group dates by month in a Pivot Table
To group dates by month in a Pivot Table is easy when you know how. Unfortunately, displaying date values in a Pivot Table can produce unexpected results. For example, in the Pivot Table below I have added a Date field to the Column area of my Pivot Table. Every date in the underlying data table is
Finding and removing duplicate data in Excel
Finding and removing duplicate data in Excel can be a quick process. However, for many people who haven’t learnt how to do this the quick way in Excel, it can be an absolute chore. One of the many things I love about my job is that I get to work with so many different people from