To merge cells in Word, select the cells you want to join in your table, then go to the Table Layout tab and click Merge Cells. You can also right-click the selected cells and choose Merge Cells. To reverse it, select the merged cell and choose Unmerge Cells or Split Cells.
Merging cells is how you make a heading that runs across the top of a table, group a label over several columns, or tidy up a form. In Word it's a two-click job once you've selected the right cells. The common stumbling block is a greyed-out button, which almost always means the selection isn't quite right. Here's how to merge, unmerge and split cells, and when you shouldn't merge at all.
Merge cells in a Word table
- Click in the first cell you want to merge.
- Drag across the other cells, or hold Shift and click the last one. They must be next to each other.
- Go to the Table Layout tab, called Layout under Table Tools in some versions, which appears when you're inside a table.
- Click Merge Cells.
Or skip the ribbon: right-click the selected cells and choose Merge Cells. Any text in the cells is kept and stacked inside the new, larger cell, so tidy it up afterwards and delete any blank lines left behind.
Unmerge or split cells
| You want to | Do this |
|---|---|
| Undo a merge you just made | Press Ctrl and Z |
| Separate a merged cell later | Select it and choose Unmerge Cells, or Split Cells |
| Split one cell into several | Select it, choose Split Cells and set the columns and rows |
| Split the whole table in two | Click in the row that should start the new table and choose Split Table |
Microsoft's newer versions of Word label the reverse option Unmerge Cells; older ones use Split Cells, which asks how many columns and rows you want.
Why Merge Cells is greyed out
- Only one cell is selected. Microsoft's tip is to make sure you've selected more than one adjacent cell.
- The cells aren't next to each other. You can't merge cells from separate parts of the table.
- You're not in a table. Text arranged with tabs looks like a table but isn't one. Convert it with Insert, Table, Convert Text to Table.
- The document is protected or in Read Mode. Switch to editing.
Common uses for merged cells
- A title row running across the full width of a table.
- A section label that covers several rows on the left.
- A signature or notes box at the bottom of a form.
- Combining two columns into one wide comment box.
When not to merge
Merged cells look tidy but can cause trouble. Microsoft's accessibility guidance for Word tables recommends keeping structures simple, because merged and split cells make tables hard for screen reader users to follow. They also cause problems if someone copies the table into Excel, where merged cells block sorting and filtering. For a heading over a data table, consider putting the heading as text above the table instead, and keep the table itself as a simple grid.
Merge cells in Word for the web and on a Mac
In Word for the web, select the cells, then use the Table Layout tab or right-click and choose Merge Cells. On a Mac, select the cells and choose Merge Cells from the Table Layout tab, or Control-click the selection. The steps are almost identical across versions.
Make a merged heading look right
- Centre the text in the merged cell with the alignment buttons on the Table Layout tab.
- Add shading from the Table Design tab to make the heading stand out.
- Mark the top row as a header row in Table Properties, so it repeats on each page of a long table.
Select cells quickly
Selecting the right block of cells is most of the job. Click in the first cell and drag, or click in it and hold Shift while pressing the arrow keys. To select a whole row, point just left of it until the arrow appears and click; for a column, point at the top edge. On the Table Layout tab, the Select button also lets you pick the current cell, row, column or whole table, which is handy on a touchscreen laptop where dragging is fiddly.
Moving between Word and Excel
If your table's numbers live in Excel, merge headings in Word rather than in the spreadsheet, so the data in Excel stays easy to sort and total. When you paste from Excel into Word, merged cells usually come across as they were, but check the column widths, because Word may squeeze them.
If you're tidying documents with AI help, my explainer on Microsoft 365 Copilot covers what it can do in Word tables, and my guide to Claude for Excel shows another way to clean up the data before it reaches Word.
My verdict
Select two or more cells that sit side by side, then choose Merge Cells from the Table Layout tab or the right-click menu. If it's greyed out, check your selection first. Use merges for headings and form boxes, but keep data tables as a simple grid, which is better for screen reader users and for anyone who copies your table into a spreadsheet.
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I covered the follow-on problem in How to Merge Cells in Excel, Plus Unmerge and Fixes (2026).
Frequently asked questions
How do I merge cells in Word?
Select the cells, go to the Table Layout tab and click Merge Cells.
Why is Merge Cells greyed out in Word?
You may have selected only one cell, or cells that aren't next to each other.
How do I unmerge cells in Word?
Select the merged cell and choose Unmerge Cells or Split Cells.
Can I merge cells with a right-click in Word?
Yes. Right-click the selected cells and choose Merge Cells.
Is merging cells bad for accessibility?
It can make tables harder to navigate with a screen reader, so keep data tables simple.
How do I merge cells in Word on a Mac?
Select the cells and choose Merge Cells on the Table Layout tab.
