How to Unmerge Cells in Google Sheets (3 Easy Ways + Shortcut)

Merging cells when working with Google sheets is pretty common among Google Sheets users. And there are reasons for doing that. Sometimes, when creating headers and labels, Google Sheets users tend to merge cells to make it easy to present and analyze data.

But guess what? There are times when you might need to unmerge cells in Google Sheets. And for those who haven’t done this before and want to get the hang of it, today’s guide will show you how to easily unmerge cells in Google Sheets.

Let’s get started, shall we?

Unmerging cells in Google Sheets: How to go about

As mentioned earlier, unmerging cells in Google Sheets is a walk in the park. The process is pretty straightforward.

For this guide, we will use the following sample data to show you how to unmerge cells in Google Sheets.

Looking at the image above, you’ll notice that cell B1 to cell D1 are merged. So we will show you how to unmerge these cells in Google Sheets. Here is how to go about it.

Step 1: Select the range of cells you want to unmerge

To unmerge cells in Google Sheets, you first need to select the range of cells you want to unmerge. For our guide, we will unmerge cells B1:D1, so go ahead and select those.

Step 2: Format > Merge cells > Unmerge

With the range of cells you want to unmerge now selected, head to the Format menu. Select the option for Merge cells. Since the cells in question are already merged, you’ll find an option for Unmerge, so select that option.

After executing the above steps, the merged cells will be instantly unmerged. Here, take a look at what our spreadsheet now looks like after unmerging the cells.

Note: The unmerge option only appears when you have selected the merged cells. So assuming you selected a couple of cells that were not merged in the first place, you won’t find the option to unmerge.

A quicker way to unmerge cells in Google Sheets

Did you find the steps we highlighted earlier for unmerging cells in Google Sheets a little complicated? Well, there is an easier way to unmerge cells in Google Sheets. So if you like to keep things pretty straightforward, you’ll love the method we will show you shortly.

There is an option on Google Sheets toolbar that allows you to unmerge cells with just a click. Think we are bluffing? Well, check it out for yourself. We are sure you’ll find the method fascinating.

Step 1: Select the merged cells

As we did in the first method we showed you earlier, you also need to select the merged cells.

Step 2: Click on the Merged cell icon on the toolbar

After selecting the range of merged cells you’d like to unmerge, head over to the toolbar menu and click on the option for “Unmerge.” This would instantly unmerge the cells.

Here is a short video demo showing you how to execute this step:

There you have it, these are the two popular methods of unmerging cells in Google Sheets.

Tips: If you’re working with a spreadsheet with many merged cells and want to unmerge the cells quickly, all you need to do is select all the merged cells in your spreadsheet and use any of the methods we discussed earlier.

Shortcuts to unmerge cells in Google Sheets

If you like to execute actions using keyboard shortcuts, it will interest you to know that you can unmerge cells in Google Sheets using keyboard shortcuts. Although this isn’t something most users are accustomed to, there is nothing wrong with knowing this method.

Even though Google Sheets doesn’t currently have a direct shortcut to unmerge cells in Google Sheets, we have found a way around it.

All you need to do is select the merged cells and use the Ctrl +\ keyboard shortcut. This action will automatically unmerge cells in Google Sheets.

The only caveat with the keyboard shortcut is that it removes any formatting you previously had. So if you don’t want to lose any formatting you have previously applied, we strongly suggest you explore the other methods we highlighted earlier for unmerging cells in Google Sheets.

Is it possible to unmerge all merged cells in Google Sheets?

Unfortunately, you can’t unmerge cells in Google Sheets by selecting the entire worksheet. If you select cells that aren’t merged as part of the range of cells you’d like to unmerge, you’ll notice the option for Unmerge cell is grayed out. What this means is that you have to select the merged cells individually to be able to unmerge them.

That said, let us quickly add that Google Sheets allow users to unmerge cells, group rows and columns with merged cells next to each other. And yes, the method to unmerge multiple cells in Google Sheets is pretty much the same as the method for unmerging individual cells.

The issue with merged cells and why you might need to unmerge them

Are you wondering why you might need to unmerge cells in Google Sheets? Well, the answer is pretty straightforward.

When working with merged cells, you’ll face some obvious limitations. For instance, with merged cells, you’ll be unable to sort or filter data properly.

Not just that, when you try to select cells in a column that features a couple of merged cells, you’ll notice that it automatically expands your selection to include the extra columns that have merged cells.

In essence, when you unmerge cells in Google Sheets, you won’t have to deal with any of these problems.

Conclusion

Unmerging cells in Google Sheets has to be one of the easiest things to do. Whether you’re using Google Sheets for the first time or have some experience with this tool, rest assured that it only takes a few steps to unmerge cells in Google Sheets.

In today’s guide, we showed you two different ways to unmerge cells in Google Sheets. Not just that, we also showed you how to unmerge cells in Google Sheets using the keyboard shortcut. And to make the entire process seamless, we included detailed screenshots and a short video tutorial to guide you every step of the way.

If you ever need to unmerge cells in Google Sheets, please explore the different methods highlighted in today’s guide.

Frequently asked questions

Can I unmerge cells in Google Sheets using shortcuts?

Yes, it’s absolutely possible to unmerge cells in Google Sheets using keyboard shortcuts. To unmerge cells in Google Sheets using the keyboard shortcut, simply select the merged cells and press CTRL + \ on your keyboard. It is honestly that easy.

How can I unmerge cells without losing data in Google Sheets?

If you’re worried about losing data when unmerging cells in Google sheets, we strongly suggest you select each merged cell individually and unmerge. This way, you won’t lose any data.