To illustrate, we have a data table with two columns and the title of the table in a single cell.

Example 1 – Shortcut for Merge & Center in Excel
ā¶ Select the two cells to merge.
ā· Press the ALT key.
The keyboard shortcut hints will display as shown in the image below.

āø Press H to select the Home menu.
ā¹ Press M to go to the Merge & Center group.

āŗ Press C to apply the Merge & Center command.

The shortcut keys for the Merge & Center are ALT > H > M > C. Select the cells and press the keys in sequence. Pressing the final key (C) will center-align as shown in the image below.

Read More: How to Combine Cells Using Excel Formula (6 Methods)
Example 2 – Shortcut for Merge Across in Excel
ā¶ Select the cell row to merge.
ā· Press ALT > H > M > A in sequence.

A warning box will open.
āø Hit OK.

The selected cells will merge as shown in the image below.

Read More: How to Combine Two Cells in Excel (6 Quick Methods)
Example 3 – Shortcut for Merge Cells in Excel
ā¶ Select the cells to merge.
ā· Press ALT > H > M > M in sequence.

A warning box will open.
āø Hit OK.

The cells will merge vertically as shown in the image below:

Read More: Excel Shortcut to Merge Cells (3 Methods + Bonus)
How to Unmerge Cells
ā¶ Select the cell where you have applied the Merge & Center command.
ā· Press ALT > H > M > U in sequence.

Add Merge & Center to the Quick Access Toolbar
ā¶ Go to the Home menu from the main ribbon.
ā· Under the Alignment group, right-click on Merge & Center.
āø Select Add to Quick Access Toolbar.

The Merge & Center icon will be added to the quick access toolbar.

Make a Custom Shortcut Key for Merge & Center Using VBA
ā¶ Right-click on the worksheet name and select View Code, or press ALT + F11, to open the VBA editor.

ā· Go to Module from the Insert ribbon.

āø Enter the following VBA code,
Sub MergeAndCenter()
With Selection
.HorizontalAlignment = xlCenter
.Merge
End With
End Sub
ā¹ Save the code and return back to the worksheet.
āŗ Press ALT + F8 to open up the Macro dialog box.
ā» Select the MergeAndCenter function and go to Options.

A new dialog box named Macro Options appears.
ā¼ Set your preferred shortcut key.
ā½ Click OK.

Wherever you want to apply the Merge & Center command, select the cells and press the shortcut key(s) you set.
Read More: How to Combine Cells in Excel (4 Methods + Shortcut)
Download Practice Workbook
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