How to merge cells in Numbers on Mac, iPad, and iPhone

If you use Apple’s flexible Numbers application as your preferred spreadsheet tool, then there may be a time when you want to merge cells together.

This is a convenient feature for combining column headers, row headers, or other adjacent cells for formatting reasons.

If this is new to you, here’s how to merge and unmerge cells in Numbers on both macOS and iOS.

Merge cells in Numbers app

How to merge cells in Numbers

On Mac

Open the Numbers app, head to the spreadsheet where you want to merge the cells, and then follow the steps below:

  1. Select the cells you want to merge. Remember, the cells must be next to each other in a column or row. You can select them by clicking the first one and dragging through the rest. Or by clicking the first cell, holding down the Shift key, and clicking the last cell.
  2. Click Table from the top menu bar.
  3. Select Merge Cells.
Numbers Merge Cells from Menu

OR

  1. Hold the Control key while clicking your selected cells.
  2. Choose Merge Cells from the context menu.
Numbers Merge Cells from Context Menu

To unmerge cells in Numbers on Mac, select the merged cell, follow the same Steps 2 and 3 above, and click Unmerge Cells.

Numbers Unmerge Cells from Context Menu

On iPhone or iPad

Open Numbers and the spreadsheet where you want to merge the cells. After that, follow these steps:

  1. Select the cells you want to merge. Again, the cells must be adjacent. Select them by clicking the first one and dragging your finger through the rest.
  2. Tap the green Cell actions button that displays at the bottom.
  3. Select Merge Cells.
Numbers Merge and Unmerge Cells iPhone

To unmerge cells in Numbers on iPhone or iPad, select the merged cell, follow the same Steps 2 and 3 directly above, and tap Unmerge Cell.

Merging cells, and even unmerging them if you change your mind, is a quick and easy way to format areas of your spreadsheets. Are there any other tips or tricks for Numbers that you need help with? If so, let us know!

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