2.38 FAQ-474 How do I edit and format text in merged cells?

Last Update: 2/2/2026

Origin offers two ways to merge adjacent cells in any worksheet region (both header lines and data area). Each method behaves in slightly different ways when you edit or format the contents.

• Dynamic Merge
  • Click the Dynamic Merge button on the mini toolbar when a block of cells is selected;
  or,
  • Select Format: Worksheet menu to open the Worksheet Properties dialog box. On the Format tab, edit the Apply To (header lines or data area) and Dynamic Merge lists (to Horizontal, Vertical or Both). You can also select the region you want to dynamically merge, right click and choose Format Cells and set the Dynamic Merge.
  Edit or Format
  • When you merge cells dynamically, the individual cells continue to hold their original content. Single-clicking on the merged block will select the entire block. You can now type directly to overwrite all cells at once (or double-click to enter the in-place edit mode).
  • Clicking the block twice will select the individual cell. You can now edit that single cell (or double-click to enter the in-place edit mode). Note that changing the active cell will break the merge..
  
  
• Static Merge
  • Select the region you want to merge and click Merge Cells button on the Style toolbar.
  Edit or Format
  • By this merge way only content in the top-left cell is shown, and the individual cells retain their original contents. If you select the merged block (by single-click or double-click) and edit it, only the first cell is changed.
  • To update all cells in the block, you will need to un-merge the block by clicking Merge Cells button again. And then select the whole area, type the new text, and press Ctrl + Enter keys. It will modify all selected cells. You can merge them again.

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Keywords:auto fill, dynamic merge, combined, worksheet, row, label, unit