If you’re wondering how to unmerge cells in Excel, the process is quick and easy—especially if you know the right keyboard shortcuts. Whether you’re using Windows, macOS, or Ubuntu (LibreOffice Calc), unmerging cells helps restore your spreadsheet’s structure, particularly if you need to sort, filter, or analyze data effectively.
🔍 What Does “Unmerge Cells” Mean in Excel?
Unmerging cells means splitting previously merged cells back into their original grid structure. Only the content in the top-left cell remains; other previously merged areas will be blank.
This is crucial when:
- You need to sort or filter data
- You’re importing data into databases or pivot tables
- You want to maintain a uniform cell structure
💻 How to Unmerge Cells in Excel (All Platforms)
🪟 Windows Excel Shortcut to Unmerge
- Select the merged cell(s).
- Press:
Alt→H→M→U- This sequence opens the Home tab (H), accesses Merge options (M), and applies Unmerge (U).
Alternative Method:
- Go to the Home tab > Merge & Center dropdown > Unmerge Cells
🍏 macOS Excel Shortcut to Unmerge
- Highlight the merged cell(s).
- Press:
Cmd + Option + M(if configured)- OR use the Ribbon:
Home > Merge & Center > Unmerge Cells
- OR use the Ribbon:
Tip: You can customize Excel shortcuts in macOS via System Settings > Keyboard > App Shortcuts if needed.
🐧 Ubuntu (LibreOffice Calc)
- Select merged cells.
- Press:
Ctrl + Shift + M- This shortcut toggles the merge/unmerge function.
Menu Method:
Format > Merge Cells > Unmerge
Calc displays a prompt when unmerging to confirm the action, especially if multiple cells are selected.
🧠 What Happens to the Data?
- Data retention: Only the top-left cell’s content is preserved after unmerging.
- Empty cells: All other parts of the previously merged cell will be blank.
- Grid restored: You regain the original cell structure, which helps with sorting and alignment.
⌨️ Keyboard Shortcut Recap
| Action | Windows | macOS | Ubuntu (LibreOffice Calc) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unmerge Cells | Alt + H + M + U | Cmd + Option + M or Ribbon | Ctrl + Shift + M |
| Merge & Center | Alt + H + M + C | Cmd + Option + M | Ctrl + Shift + M |
| Merge Across | Alt + H + M + A | — | Format > Merge Across |
📌 When Should You Unmerge Cells?
Unmerging cells is helpful when:
- You need to sort or filter data
- You plan to use Excel’s data tools (PivotTables, Formulas)
- The merged structure is breaking your layout or formatting
- You’re importing data into external systems
🛠️ Bonus Tip: Select All Merged Cells First
Want to find and unmerge all merged cells in a worksheet?
Windows/macOS:
- Press
Ctrl + Ato select all - Use the shortcut to unmerge:
- Windows:
Alt + H + M + U - macOS: Use Ribbon or assign shortcut
- Windows:
Ubuntu (Calc):
- Use
Ctrl + A>Ctrl + Shift + M
❓ FAQ – How to Unmerge Cells in Excel
Will I lose data when unmerging?
Only the upper-left cell’s content is preserved. The rest will be blank.
Can I unmerge all merged cells at once?
Yes! Select the full worksheet (Ctrl + A), then use the unmerge shortcut.
Does unmerging affect formulas?
It can. If formulas depend on merged cells, you may need to adjust references after unmerging.
What if I accidentally unmerge a complex structure?
Use Ctrl + Z (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + Z (macOS) to undo.
✅ Conclusion
Knowing how to unmerge cells in Excel is essential for working with clean, sortable, and filterable data. Whether you’re using Windows, macOS, or Ubuntu, mastering this simple task with keyboard shortcuts can help you avoid formatting issues and improve productivity. Unmerging is especially helpful when collaborating, exporting, or preparing data for analysis.
Complete List of Windows Keyboard Shortcuts
If you need help for Windows, you can find a whole list of all keyboard shortcuts here.
https://keyboard-shortcuts.org/
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