Merge cells shortcut in Excel
The keys
| Shortcut | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Open Format CellsEvery number, date, alignment, border and protection option in one dialog. | Ctrl+1 | Command+1 or Control+1 |
| Center the cell contents | Alt+H, A, C | Command+E |
Checked against Microsoft's official lists on . Where Microsoft lists a key for one platform only, the other column says so instead of guessing.
The Windows KeyTips for merging
Press and release Alt, then H for the Home tab and M for the Merge menu. The last letter picks the option: C Merge & Center, A Merge Across (each row separately), M Merge Cells (no centering) and U Unmerge Cells. The letters are on screen as you go, so you can check them.
Merging keeps only the top-left value. Excel warns you before it drops the others.
Use Center Across Selection instead
For a title over several columns, Center Across Selection looks the same as a merge but keeps every cell separate, so sorting, copying and selecting columns still work. Select the cells, press Ctrl+1 (Command+1 on a Mac), go to Alignment, and set Horizontal to Center Across Selection.
Why merged cells cause problems
- Sorting a range with merged cells fails with "all the merged cells need to be the same size".
- A dynamic array formula cannot spill into merged cells and shows #SPILL!.
- Selecting a column selects every column the merge touches, and copy and paste often refuse to fit.
- Filtering shows only the first row of a merged block.
Why a shortcut sometimes does nothing
KeyTips change with the language
Alt sequences such as Alt+H, O, I are ribbon KeyTips: press Alt and the letters appear on screen. They come from the English ribbon. In another language, or when an add-in adds a tab, the letters can differ, so read them off the screen rather than memorizing them.
Related shortcuts
| Shortcut | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Show the KeyTips (letters on every tab and button)Press and release, then type the letters that appear. Excel for the web on a Mac: Microsoft says to press Control+Option to start. | Alt or F10Web Alt+Windows key | —No Mac shortcut in Microsoft's list |
| Go to the Home tab | Alt+HWeb Alt+Windows key, H | —No Mac shortcut in Microsoft's list |
FAQ
What is the shortcut for Merge & Center in Excel?
There is no single built-in key. On Windows press Alt, H, M, C in turn. On a Mac there is no KeyTips sequence; use the Home tab button or Format Cells (Cmd+1).
How do I unmerge cells with the keyboard?
On Windows, select the merged cell and press Alt, H, M, U.
Can I make my own merge shortcut?
On Windows, add Merge & Center to the Quick Access Toolbar and press Alt with its number. On a Mac, use the Merge & Center button on the Home tab or Format Cells (Cmd+1).
Related guides
- #SPILL! error in Excel#SPILL! means a formula that returns several values (such as FILTER, UNIQUE, SORT or SEQUENCE) has no empty space to spill into.
- How to sort by multiple columns in ExcelClick any cell in the data, go to Data > Sort, choose the first column under Sort by, then click Add Level and choose the second column under Then by.
In the glossary: Merged cellsSpill range