How To Unmerge Cells In Google Sheets

by

Google Sheets is a versatile tool that allows us to manipulate data in several different ways. One such way is by merging and unmerging cells. This feature is particularly handy when you’re dealing with data that you want to combine into one cell or separate into multiple cells. Today, we’re going to delve into how to unmerge cells in Google Sheets.

What does it mean to merge cells?

Merging cells in Google Sheets means combining two or more cells into one large cell. This is a common practice when creating headers for your spreadsheet or when your data extends beyond a single cell.

Steps to Unmerge Cells in Google Sheets

Unmerging cells is as simple as merging them. Here’s how you can do it:

  1. Select the cell or range of cells that you want to unmerge.
  2. Click on the ‘Format’ tab on the menu bar.
  3. Hover over the ‘Merge cells’ option. A side menu will appear.
  4. Select ‘Unmerge’ from the side menu.

Your cells will now be unmerged, each containing its own separate piece of data.

Shortcut for Unmerging Cells

For those who prefer using keyboard shortcuts, Google Sheets has you covered. After selecting the cells you want to unmerge, you can use the following keyboard shortcuts:

  • For Windows: Alt + Shift + i, then m, then e
  • For macOS: Option + Shift + i, then m, then e

Unmerge Cells using Google Apps Script

If you’re a fan of automation or have a large number of cells to unmerge, you can use Google Apps Script to do the heavy lifting. Here’s a simple script that unmerges cells in the active selection:

function unmergeCells() {
  var sheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet().getActiveSheet();
  var range = sheet.getActiveRange();
  range.breakApart();
}

To run this script, you’ll need to click on the ‘Extensions’ tab, select ‘Apps Script’, paste the unmergeCells function into the script editor, and hit run.

Conclusion

And there you have it! You now know multiple ways to unmerge cells in Google Sheets. Whether you’re a mouse user, a fan of keyboard shortcuts, or a script enthusiast, Google Sheets offers a method that suits your style.