How to Merge Two Columns in Excel Application?

In this tutorial, I will explore the step-by-step procedure for how to merge two columns in Excel application. Merging two columns in Microsoft Excel is a versatile technique that can significantly enhance data organization and presentation. However, it’s essential to be aware that when both columns contain data, merging them may result in data loss, potentially overwriting one set of information with the other. On the other hand, when one column has data while the other is blank, merging can be performed without any loss of data.

How to Merge Two Columns in Excel Application?

Here are the steps to merge or combine two or more columns in the Microsoft Excel application:

1. Open Your Excel Workbook: Start the Microsoft Excel application and open the Excel workbook containing the columns you want to merge or combine these each other.
2. Select the Columns to Merge: Select the columns you want to merge or combine. These columns should in form of rectangular or square in shape. You can merge columns within a single row, a single column, or across multiple rows and columns, depending on your needs.
3. Go to the Home Tab: Navigate to the “Home” tab located on the Excel ribbon. This tab provides access to various formatting options. In the “Home” tab, you’ll find the “Alignment” group. This group contains buttons and options related to text alignment and cell formatting.
4. Merge & Center Button: Within the Alignment group, you’ll see the “Merge & Center” button. Click on the arrow next to this button to reveal a dropdown menu with different merge options:
   • Merge & Center: This option merges the selected columns into one and centers the text both horizontally and vertically within the merged columns.
   • Merge Across: This option merges columns in each row individually, keeping rows separate.
   • Merge Cells: This option merges the selected columns into one, but the text remains left-aligned.
5. Select Your Merge Option: Choose the merge option that best suits your needs. For most cases, “Merge & Center” is commonly used as it combines columns merging with center alignment.
6. View the Merged Cell: After selecting the merge option, you will notice that the selected columns are merged into a single column with the content centered if you choose “Merge & Center.”
7. Adjust Formatting (if needed): You can further format the merged columns by changing the font size, and text color, or applying other formatting options to make it visually appealing.
8. Save Your Workbook: Be sure to save your workbook after making any column merging changes to preserve your formatting.

By following the above steps, you can successfully merge two columns in Excel spreadsheet, allowing you to consolidate data from separate columns into a single, unified column for various data management and analysis purposes.