[Solved] How can I merge multiple rows at a time....

[dritchie09]

Is there a way to merge multiple rows at a time while keeping the row values separate? We are using OpenOffice calc 3.1.1


For example, I want to merge the following:

Row 1: Jennifer | Johnson
Row 2: Dan | Paulson

into

Row 1: Jennifer Johnson
Row 2: Dan Paulson

The only way I can see to do this right now is to highlight each individual row and merge it separately.

Is there a better way to do this? Can I do this with multiple rows at once? Or a better way?

Thanks,
Dan

[Villeroy]

First pair of names in A1 and B1,
C1 =A1&" "&B1
copy down C1

[dritchie09]

Thank you this worked!!

[CowboyTed]

I just came across this solution and I wanted to thank Villero for it.
I have been trying to find this solution to merging cells for awhile.
Thanks again !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Delzars]

Great solution. Now, what if I want to merge 3 cells or 4 cells or 5,6,7,8 cells in each row?

[RusselB]

Just expand the formula, and move the formula over so that it always ends up in an empty cell.
If you're not sure how many you're going to need, you could put the formula into column A and your data into columns B->?
Using this, for 3 it'd be =B1&" "&C1&" "&D1
For 4: =B1&" "&C1&" "&D1&" "&E1
For 5: =B1&" "&C1&" "&D1&" "&E1&" "&F1
etc.

[the_watchmann]

I don't have that symbol on my keyboard (US English) nor can I find it in the OOo symbols?

[RoryOF]

That symbol is the Ampersand, usually Shift 7 on the top row of the keyboard. Its appearance varies slightly according to the font in use.

[DYX]

This isn't working for me. I must be missing some understanding. This is what I am trying: F20 =B20&" "&C20&" "&D20&" "&E20 Nothing merges. It does seem crazy that for such a commonly used function there's not a shortcut, like highlighting the cells of a row or column, holding Ctrl or Alt+Ctrl or something, then moving on to the next row or column; clicking Merge at the end. I'm new to OpenOffice. Naturally finding it very frustrating (until I know how to do what I need to do). Anyhow, the apparent absence of tools or shortcuts for common functions intensifies this frustration.

[Zizi64]

Please upload your example .ods file here.

[Villeroy]

This is what I am trying: F20 =B20&" "&C20&" "&D20&" "&E20 Nothing merges.

[DYX]

Now I get the drift. My misunderstanding (reading too quickly, I guess). Thank you. But I wanted to merge the row cells, not their content (it did seem strange that a formula was needed to do this). Any idea how I can merge, say 5 cells per row, in 50 rows, keeping 50 distinct rows?

[Villeroy]

Merging cells is not a feature. It is a desease.

Pull down the concatenation formula and copy.
Edit>PasteSpecial in place to replace the formulas with values.
Adust alignment, line break, cell width etc.
Delete the other columns.

Edit: No, do not delete the original values. It's just a matter of time when you need the single values. Just pull down the concatenation formula.

[DYX]

Thank you!