[Solved] Split merged cell in half, horizontally or vertically

[Chris_Devl]

According to https://wiki.openoffice.org/wiki/Docume ... ting_cells there should be a right click option on a cell for Cell>Split. There is none. I know hitting Merge again splits the cell back into the full default grid amount, but I just want to split a cell once into two cells. From 1 empty cell to 2 empty cells along the axis I specify.

And just to be clear, I'm not trying to split the DATA, just the cell itself. Can't find how to do this anywhere.

How do I do this very simple task which is so easy in any other spreadsheet program?

Edit: Changed subject, was Split 1 cell into 2 cells?!?!?  Make your post understandable by others  -- MrProgrammer, forum moderator

[FJCC]

The document you linked to concerns tables in Writer. I think what you want to do is insert a cell, which you can do by right clicking and selecting Insert. You will then have to option to shift cell right or down.

[Chris_Devl]

I tried and it says (Inserting into merged ranges not possible).

[Zizi64]

You created this thread in the Calc Forum.

The 'cell' is the base unit in the spreadsheet applications. You can not split it. In the Calc the Cells have an absolute name. There is cell wih name $A$1 and $A$2 but there is not cell with name $A$1.5

You can insert row/s, column/s, or you can insert a cell with shifting the adjacent cells. You can Merge cells, ant then you can split the merged cells. You can replace the cell content, you can split the imported data string into different cells by the import filters.

[Chris_Devl]

Yeah I'm trying to split a merged cell not a base unit cell. If I insert and shift down it adds a new cell at the top and shift everything underneath down (not what I want). If I insert and shift right it always throws that error (regardless of my merged cell dimensions).

I just want to select a merged cell and either split vertically or split horizontally. I don't want to add above or below, I just want to cut it straight through the middle.

I'm needing this functionality a lot and it's really frustrating having to work around it.

[Zizi64]

I just want to select a merged cell and either split vertically or split horizontally.

A four cell merged range (for example when you merged the range A1:B2) you can unmerge to four discret cells. (Then you can merge two of them again if you want it.)

[Chris_Devl]

I just want to select a merged cell and either split vertically or split horizontally.

A four cell merged range (for example when you merged the range A1:B2) you can unmerge to four discret cells. (Then you can merge two of them again if you want it.)

I don't want it to split into the smallest possible units, I don't want a 4 cell merged range to split into 4 cells, I want it to split into 2. How do I do that?

For example, I want to split a 6x3 horizontally. It should become 2 3x3's side by side.

[Zizi64]

I don't want it to split into the smallest possible units, I don't want a 4 cell merged range to split into 4 cells, I want it to split into 2. How do I do that?

For example, I want to split a 6x3 horizontally. It should become 2 3x3's side by side.

You can not do it directly in the Calc. Use the "step by step" method decribed above. Or you can write your own macro for tis task.

[Rbstimers]

The easiest way to do what you want, is to create a new column beside where you want to split the cells. Then merge two cells in the same row in old and new column. then Cut and paste that merged cell format to every cell in both columns EXCEPT the one you want split. now you have effectively split just one cell and you still have a unique address for every cell .

[Miratopia]

I was wondering the same thing as the OP. Although this forum topic's pretty old now, I'm using OpenOffice 4.1.13 and this still applies to me.

In summary, you can only split a cell that was merged earlier, and you can only split it back into its original cells. You can then re-merge how you want.

And the only way I found to split one or more merged cells (that you've selected) is via the pull-down menu Format, and Merge Cells. Keyboarders can just go Alt-O and E. Yes, in this case "Merge Cells" will actually split cells when you have a merged cell (or several) selected. I think this menu item should be dynamically named according the situation or simply renamed to encompass both meanings.