Un-merge Cells

Merge cells in the first image, Unmerge (Split) cells in the second image.





Regards,

Hi WWJD,
You explanation is completely correct for even number of cells. For odd number of cells things become very weird.

With an even number one clicks the un-merge button the cells will split correctly. Now try that with an odd number of cells; not a pretty sight. That I'm aware of there isn't a workaround for un-merging odd number cells.

Through Numbers Feedback I've sent, months ago, an explanation of this anomaly to the Numbers team.

Sincerely,

RicD

I have also seen peculiar things when Splitting greater than two columns. You'd think that a split would go back to the original orientation. Here are some examples (if you get an upset stomach, do not view):







Regards,

WWJD,
Yes that's exactly what I was referring to, truly not a pretty sight. Happens only with odd number of cells. The more you click that icon to un-merge odd number of cells the worse it becomes. Quite strange a behavior isn't it.

I have hoped more folks sent the Numbers team this explanation about odd cell un-merge.

Sincerely,

RicD

Hi DX.ICEBreaker,
Perhaps I'm way off base on this, if so I apologize in advance. Both Excel and Numbers will merge cells but, in Numbers with odd number of merged cells returning back—splitting—to the original number of those merged cells becomes problematic; not in Excel.

As for Excel for the Mac in the help file it reads:
Merge or split cells that span several columns or rows
1. Select the cells you want to merge or the cell you want to split.
2. On the Formatting Palette, under Alignment and Spacing, do one of the following:
• To merge cells in a row or column or both, select the Merge cells check box.
• To split a cell into separate cells, clear the Merge cells check box

There isn't a reference to un-merged cell then splitting it. Some additional Windows Excel 2007 info: You can't split an individual cell, but you can make it appear as if a cell has been split by merging the cells above it. For example, you want to split cell A2 into three cells that will appear, side-by-side, under cell A1 (you want to utilize cell A1 as a heading). It is not possible to split cell A2, but you can achieve a similar effect by merging cells A1, B1, and C1 into one, single cell. You then enter your data in cells A2, B2, and C2. These three cells appear as if they are split under one larger cell (A1) that acts as a heading.

Again if I'm way out of the ball park in what you're explaining do blame it on my tri-focals. I'm dancing as fast as I can...

Sincerely,

RicD

For comparison purposes, you might compare iWork with M$ Works. MS Works does not have all the capability of Office. It is geared towards less demanding use.

Regards,

DX.ICEBreaker,
Ah, yes this forum does allow editing. For about five minutes after a post you may edit it. The next time you post look to the upper right of your post you'll see a four items. From right to left is E-mail, Reply with a back arrow, then the little thingy with a pencil; move your mouse over it, it will read "Click to Edit this message".

After editing look at the bottom of the screen you'll see: Add the following text to the message - this indicates when changes were made and by whom. This can be checked or unchecked. In this example I've checked it so you may see how it appears in a edited message.

Hope this help you.

Sincerely,
RicD

Message was edited by: Ric Donato

The "way back" to the original number of cells requires you to first simply Merge the previously merged odd number of cells with one more adjacent cell, then Split the new unit cell evenly into the original number of cells. If your "one more adjacent cell" has contents you don't want to lose, Copy or Cut & Paste it temporarily into some other empty cell for later retrieval to restore it.

[:-)}

I must elaborate on and clarify my previous Reply made today. I said:
"The "way back" to the original number of cells requires you to first simply Merge the previously merged odd number of cells with one more adjacent cell, then Split the new unit cell evenly into the original number of cells. If your "one more adjacent cell" has contents you don't want to lose, Copy or Cut & Paste it temporarily into some other empty cell for later retrieval to restore it."

To get back to the original number of cells in a Merged Row set or Column set of cells,
1) additional cells must be Merged with the offending merged cell set to produce a larger cell containing a total of either 4, 8, 16, 32, ...(see the pattern?) of the desired number of cells; we will call this larger Merged cell START. Then
2) select a corresponding equivalent area of unmerged cells (i.e., spanning the Merged cell area) and set their size to one value to fix them to equal size (e.g., equal Column Width if merged columns), then
3) repetitively select the entire START cell group area and Split it until the desired quantity is reached. If the START cell consists of, say, 8 cells, then the entire START area must be selected then Split a total of 3 times.

Ta Dah! Now deal with the cells as if they were never merged. (Just remember to first temporarily Copy or Cut & Paste any cell contents needed that would be lost during the process into some other empty cell(s) for later retrieval.)

[:-)}

The philosophy behind this Numbers merge business is very different from the Excel approach. As I have just started to try out Numbers I don't quite get its point. More on this in a moment.

This may be a work around if you are merging cells and expect the same results as an Excel merge. This is the "Think Excel" approach.

Say you need to unmerged cells 3x5 (a grid of 3 columns by 5 rows)
If you need to save & use the info in merged cells then proceed to # 1 below; if not, proceed to # 3

1. Select and then copy the data from the merged cells
2. Paste it into a single cell (to the right of your last column) for safe keeping

3. Select & copy 2 new blank cells either in a column or a row - doesn't (seem to?) matter which
4. Select original merged cells 3 x 5 and Paste. You're back to the past.

5. Do with saved data pasted in #2 as ye please.

Yuck, but it seems to work if you "Think Excel".

I "Think Excel" because I use Excel's merge/unmerge lots and depend upon these fraternal friends for some pretty complicated Excel sheets. Thinking in Excel I see Numbers' merge function as a horrible mess and the suggestions for splitting gave me a splitting headache trying to follow the suggestions- though I was impressed with the authors' attentions to detail.... I suspect my suggestions will be giving others a splitting headache, too.

I just started trying out Numbers and there must be logic in this merge/split thing which may make an eureka moment at some point when one gains familiarity.

Uh huh!
After fooling around may have had an eureka moment!

Thinking Different(ly) and not Excel(ly) I discovered that when you merge cells and more than one cell has a datum in each, then the datum(s) became true data. By the grace of the great Bhudda they truly merge. If you unmerge the cells, the merged data (datum + datum) are retained in their original cells. Tooo Coool!

This may be a great concept which, for me, only time will tell.

However, I wish Numbers had an Excel-like merge/unmerge function as well as the SuperMerge thingy that probably has some phenomenal purpose. But then, the unknown gives life its spice.

Cheers,
mhikl