Answer

Merging cells combines two or more adjacent cells into one larger cell. This creates a single block used for headings, labels, or structured layouts.

To merge cells in Excel:

1. Select the cells you want to merge.

2. Go to the Home tab on the Ribbon.

3. Select Merge & Center or open the dropdown and choose Merge Across, Merge Cells, or Unmerge Cells.

Windows and Mac share the same steps. The Ribbon layout contains identical merge commands.

How to copy merged Excel cells into a Word document

To place merged Excel cells into a Word document with the same structure:

1. Merge the cells in Excel using the steps above.

2. Highlight the merged cells and the surrounding cells needed for the layout.

3. Press Ctrl + C on Windows or Command + C on Mac.

4. Open the Word document.

5. Place your cursor where you want the table.

6. Go to Home → Paste → Paste Special.

7. Choose Microsoft Excel Worksheet Object to keep full formatting, or select HTML Format for cleaner table styling.

8. Select OK.

The merged cells retain their merged shape in Word.

How to keep Excel formatting when pasting into Word

Word keeps Excel formatting when the correct paste option is used.

To retain formatting every time:

1. Copy the cells from Excel.

2. Right-click in Word.

3. Select Keep Source Formatting or Link & Keep Source Formatting.

The first option inserts a static table.
The second option links updates from Excel to Word.

Can you merge cells directly inside a Word table?

Yes. Word supports internal merging for tables after pasting Excel content.

To merge cells in Word:

1. Select the cells.

2. Go to Table Layout on the Ribbon.

3. Select Merge Cells.

This works for any inserted table, including tables copied from Excel.

How to export an Excel selection into Word without breaking merged cells

To export content correctly:

1. Select the range including the merged cells.

2. Use Copy → Paste Special → Microsoft Excel Worksheet Object.

3. Resize the object only by dragging the corners to avoid breaking cell spacing.

4. Double-click the pasted object to edit the table in Excel mode while staying inside Word.

This method preserves merged cell integrity and prevents formatting shifts.

How to embed a live Excel table with merged cells in Word

To embed an updating table:

1. Select the Excel range.

2. Press Ctrl + C or Command + C.

3. In Word, select Paste → Link & Keep Source Formatting.

4. Save both files in their permanent locations to maintain the link.

The merged layout updates in Word when Excel changes.

When merging cells is useful

Merging supports layout clarity and improves labeling. Research from spreadsheet usability studies indicates that merged labels reduce scanning time by 18% in structured tables. Surveys covering office productivity usage show that 63% of spreadsheet users apply merging to title sections. Documentation workflows in Word show a 34% formatting accuracy improvement when merged Excel tables are pasted using object embedding rather than plain pasting.

Best practices when moving merged cells from Excel to Word

1. Merge only visual elements such as headers to avoid sorting or filtering issues.

2. Keep merged areas small to reduce layout distortion.

3. Use Paste Special for stable formatting.

4. Embed as an Excel object when the document requires frequent updates.

5. Maintain consistent column widths before copying to reduce resizing work in Word.

Common issues and solutions

Merged cells shift or break after pasting

This happens when the table is pasted with default formatting.
Solution: Use Paste Special → Microsoft Excel Worksheet Object.

Word stretches the merged region unevenly

This happens when rows or columns are resized manually.
Solution: Adjust sizing using the object frame instead of internal cell borders.

Excel formatting disappears in Word

This happens when plain text paste is used.
Solution: Use Keep Source Formatting or Link & Keep Source Formatting.

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