How to Merge Two Columns in Google Sheets: Tips and Tricks from a Spreadsheet Enthusiast

Hey there, fellow spreadsheet lovers! Are you tired of scrolling side to side to compare two columns in Google Sheets? Me too. Luckily, there's an easy solution: merging those two columns into one. In this tutorial, I'll walk you through the steps to do just that.

Step 1: Select the Columns You Want to Merge

Let's say you have a sheet with two columns, one containing first names and another containing last names. To merge these two columns into a full name column, first, you need to select the two columns you want to merge. Hold down the Ctrl key and click on each header to select both columns.

Step 2: Click on the Merge Cells Tool

Once the columns are selected, go to the menu bar and click on Format, then select Merge Cells. This tool will merge the cells in the selected columns into one column.

If your sheet has data in other rows, confirm whether or not you want to overwrite those cells. If you do, select "Merge All" in the popup message. If not, select "Cancel".

Step 3: Center the Text

Now that the columns are merged into one, the text might not be centered in the cell. You can center the text by selecting the merged column and clicking on the Center Align Text tool.

That's it! Your two columns are now merged into one, and you no longer need to go back and forth scrolling horizontally.

Additional Tips and Tricks

One of the benefits of merging cells is the ability to customize the text to make it look better and easier to read. Here are a few additional tips:

• You can add a space, dash, or any other separator between the merged cells to make the text easier to read. For example, if you're merging a column of first names and a column of last names, you can add a space between the two columns to create a full name column.
• You can use the =CONCATENATE() formula to merge cells instead of the Merge Cells tool. This formula allows you to add separators and customize the text even further. For example, to merge two columns with a space separator, use the formula =CONCATENATE(A2, " ", B2), assuming the first name is in cell A2 and the last name is in cell B2.
• If you want to undo the merge, select the merged cell and click on the Unmerge Cells tool in the menu bar.

Conclusion

There you have it, folks! Merging cells in Google Sheets is a quick and easy way to combine two columns into one and make your spreadsheets more organized and easier to read. Whether you're creating a contact list, keeping track of expenses, or analyzing data, merging cells is a useful tool to have in your spreadsheet arsenal. So go ahead, give it a try, and let me know how it works for you.