How to Move Merged Cells in Excel – 3 Methods

This is the sample dataset.

Method 1 – Using the Paste Special Command to Move Merged Cells

Use the Paste Special command.

Steps

Move B5:E9 to the empty range G5:J9:

• Select B5:E9 and right-click.
• Click Copy.

• Select G5, and right-click.
• Go to Paste Special.
• Click Keep Source Column Widths(W).

The merged range B5:E9 moved to G5:J9.

Method 2 – Move Merged Cells by Changing Text Alignment

Unmerge cells.

Steps

To move B5:E9 to the empty range G5:J9, moving cells won’t work:

• Select B5:E9 and try to move it by dragging the selection border.

• A warning window will be displayed.
• Click OK.

To move cells, the source and destination cell size has to be equal.

• Select B5:E5 and right-click.
• Click ‘Merge & Center’ or go to Merge and Center in Alignment.

• After unmerging the cells, the text is only in B5.

• Select B5:E5 again and right-click.
• Select Format Cells.

• Go to Alignment.
• In Text alignment, select Center Across Selection in Horizontal.
• Click OK.

• Repeat the same process for the rest of the merged cells.
• Click OK.
• Select B5:E9, right-click, and click Cut.

• Select G5 and right-click.
• Click Paste in Paste Options.

• The merged range B5:E9 moved to G5:J9.

Method 3 – Embedding a VBA Macro in Excel

Use a VBA code to merge cells.

Steps

• Go to the Developer tab.
• Click Visual Basic.

• Click Insert > Module.

• In the module window, enter the following code.

Sub move_merged_cells()
Selection.Cut Range("G5")
End Sub

• Close the Module window.
• Select B5:E9.
• Go to View > Macros(Double click).

• Click View Macros, select the macro you created: move_merged_cells.
• Click Run.

• The merged range B5:E9 moved to G5:J9.

Download Practice Workbook

Download the practice workbook below.

<< Go Back to Cells | Merge | Learn Excel