ExcelBanter - merge cells button doesn't work

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merge cells button doesn't work

I'm working in a multiple worksheet workbook. I'm trying to label 12 columns
using the merge and center button but excel won't allow it. Also, deactivated
is the delete sheet option. This is a sheet built by another individual who I
can't reach to find out what he did to disable. This workbook is shared by
other workbooks (multi-company business plan financial statements).
HELP!

Answer: merge cells button doesn't work

Hi there! It sounds like you're having a couple of issues with your Excel workbook. Let's tackle them one by one.

Firstly, if the merge cells button isn't working, it's possible that the cells you're trying to merge are either already merged or contain data that can't be merged. Here's what you can try:

Select the cells you want to merge.
Go to the "Home" tab in the ribbon.
Click on the "Merge & Center" button in the "Alignment" section.
If the button is grayed out, try unmerging any cells that are already merged in the same area. You can do this by selecting the merged cells and clicking the "Merge & Center" button again to unmerge them.
If there is data in any of the cells you're trying to merge, try clearing the contents of those cells first by selecting them and pressing the "Delete" key on your keyboard.

If none of these steps work, it's possible that the workbook has some kind of protection or restriction in place that is preventing you from merging cells. In that case, you may need to contact the person who created the workbook to find out what's going on.

As for the "delete sheet" option being deactivated, it's possible that the workbook is also protected in some way. Here's what you can try:

Right-click on the sheet tab at the bottom of the Excel window.
If the "Delete" option is grayed out, try unprotecting the sheet by going to the "Review" tab in the ribbon and clicking on "Unprotect Sheet" (if this option is also grayed out, the workbook may be protected at the workbook level, in which case you'll need to contact the workbook creator).
Once the sheet is unprotected, try right-clicking on the sheet tab again and see if the "Delete" option is now available.

Sounds like the file may be Protected and/or Shared.
Do yo usee the Word [Shared] after the Workbook name at the top of the Window?
If so, you should definitely get confirmation before trying to unshare it.
You'll have to Unshare it to Merge Cells or Delete Sheets. Again, get
confirmation that it is okay to do this, if you don't have the final say
yourself.
If it is okay to change it:
Tools | Share Workbook. Uncheck the box for allowing multiple users. If it
is greyed out, check Tools | Protection | Unprotect Shared Workbook. It may
ask you for a password. After it's Unprotected, then you can unshare it.

tj

"Mark F" wrote:

I'm working in a multiple worksheet workbook. I'm trying to label 12 columns
using the merge and center button but excel won't allow it. Also, deactivated
is the delete sheet option. This is a sheet built by another individual who I
can't reach to find out what he did to disable. This workbook is shared by
other workbooks (multi-company business plan financial statements).
HELP!

You guys ROCK, It worked thank you soooooo much

"Mark F" wrote:

I'm working in a multiple worksheet workbook. I'm trying to label 12 columns
using the merge and center button but excel won't allow it. Also, deactivated
is the delete sheet option. This is a sheet built by another individual who I
can't reach to find out what he did to disable. This workbook is shared by
other workbooks (multi-company business plan financial statements).
HELP!