Unable to sort in Excel because of merged cells

[Guest]

I was given a large spreadsheet (737 rows and 45 columns) to clean up before
transferring into a database file. Certain cells text, others numbers,
emails, etc. and some are color coded to identify a specific distribution
process.

Whenever I try to sort the data, the following message shows up and it won't
allow me to sort. "The operation requires the merged cells to be identically
sized"

I have spent the better part of a day trying to find the merged cells, but
have failed. Is there some way to find merged cells with the sheet without
clicking on every cell individually? Is there some other way to accomplish
the task for sorting? Thank you.

 

[Anne Troy]

Certainly, Bruce. Select ALL the cells. You can use Ctrl+A or the gray
button/box that's to the left of the A column letter and about the 1 row
number. Then, Format-->Cells-->Alignment and untick Merged...

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~Anne Troy

www.OfficeArticles.com

 

[Guest]

hi,
personal opinion here. Merged cells is about the stupidest thing MS ever
introduced to excel. It DOES make the sheet look pretty but it screws up just
about everything else you may want to do. sort, copy/paste you name it.
macros hate merged cells.
best advice i can give it is not to use merged cell.
select all your data. go format>cells>allignment tab. uncheck merged cells.

regards

FSt1

 

[Anne Troy]

Indeed. More info here:
http://www.officearticles.com/excel/merged_cells_in_microsoft_excel.htm
*******************
~Anne Troy

www.OfficeArticles.com

 

[Guest]

Anne, I just wanted to say THANK YOU. The tip you gave me worked perfectly
and I was able to finish the clean-up and sorting of the spreadsheet.

Thanks for taking the time to help.

Bruce

 

[Anne Troy]

Too cool. Thanks a bunch for the feedback.
*******************
~Anne Troy

www.OfficeArticles.com