Merge cells in Google Sheets - Interactive Code Practice

Practice - 5 Tasks

1fill in blank

easy

Complete the code to merge cells A1 to B1 in Google Sheets using Apps Script.

Google Sheets

sheet.getRange('A1:B1').[1]();

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

AmergeAcross

Bmerge

CmergeVertically

DmergeCells

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using mergeAcross merges cells only horizontally but not fully.

Using mergeVertically merges cells vertically, not the full range.

mergeCells is not a valid method.

The merge() method merges all cells in the specified range into one cell.

2fill in blank

medium

Complete the code to merge cells horizontally across columns in the range A2 to D2.

Google Sheets

sheet.getRange('A2:D2').[1]();

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

AmergeAcross

BmergeCells

CmergeVertically

Dmerge

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using merge merges all cells into one, not just horizontally.

Using mergeVertically merges cells vertically, not horizontally.

The mergeAcross() method merges cells horizontally across columns but keeps rows separate.

3fill in blank

hard

Fix the error in the code to merge cells vertically in the range B3 to B6.

Google Sheets

sheet.getRange('B3:B6').[1]();

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Amerge

BmergeAcross

CmergeVertically

DmergeCells

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using mergeAcross merges horizontally, not vertically.

Using merge merges all cells into one, not just vertically.

The mergeVertically() method merges cells vertically in the specified range.

4fill in blank

hard

Fill both blanks to merge cells in range C4 to E5 and then unmerge them.

Google Sheets

sheet.getRange('C4:E5').[1](); sheet.getRange('C4:E5').[2]();

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Amerge

BbreakApart

CmergeAcross

DmergeVertically

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Trying to unmerge with mergeAcross or mergeVertically.

Using mergeAcross instead of merge for full merge.

First, merge() merges the cells fully, then breakApart() separates them back.

5fill in blank

hard

Fill all three blanks to merge cells A7 to B8 horizontally, then vertically, then unmerge them.

Google Sheets

sheet.getRange('A7:B8').[1](); sheet.getRange('A7:B8').[2](); sheet.getRange('A7:B8').[3]();

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

AmergeAcross

BmergeVertically

CbreakApart

Dmerge

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Mixing up merge and mergeAcross methods.

Trying to unmerge before merging.

First, mergeAcross() merges cells horizontally, then mergeVertically() merges vertically, and finally breakApart() separates them.

Practice

1. What happens when you merge cells in Google Sheets?

easy

A. Cells are deleted and replaced with a blank cell.

B. Cells keep their individual content but appear side by side.

C. Multiple cells combine into one larger cell, showing only the top-left content.

D. Cells are copied to a new sheet automatically.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand merging cells

   Merging cells combines selected cells into one bigger cell.

2. Step 2: Check content behavior

   Only the content of the top-left cell remains visible; other cells' content is removed.

3. Final Answer:

   Multiple cells combine into one larger cell, showing only the top-left content. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Merge cells = combined cell with top-left content [OK]

Hint: Merged cells show only top-left content, others disappear [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking all cell contents remain visible
• Believing merged cells create new sheets
• Assuming cells are deleted without merging

2. Which menu option do you use to merge cells in Google Sheets?

easy

A. Data > Merge cells

B. Format > Merge cells

C. Insert > Merge cells

D. Tools > Merge cells

Solution

1. Step 1: Locate the menu for merging

   In Google Sheets, the merge cells option is under the Format menu.

2. Step 2: Confirm the correct submenu

   Format > Merge cells lets you merge horizontally, vertically, or all selected cells.

3. Final Answer:

   Format > Merge cells -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Merge cells menu = Format > Merge cells [OK]

Hint: Find merge under Format menu, not Data or Insert [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Looking under Data or Insert menus
• Trying to merge from Tools menu
• Not selecting cells before merging

3. You select cells A1, B1, and C1 with values 10, 20, and 30 respectively, then merge them. What value appears in the merged cell?

medium

A. 60

B. 20

C. 30

D. 10

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify selected cells and their values

   Cells A1=10, B1=20, C1=30 are selected to merge.

2. Step 2: Understand merged cell content

   Only the top-left cell's content (A1=10) remains visible after merging.

3. Final Answer:

   10 -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Merged cell value = top-left cell value [OK]

Hint: Merged cell shows top-left cell's value only [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Adding values instead of keeping top-left
• Choosing middle or right cell's value
• Expecting all values to appear

4. You tried to merge cells A2 to A4 but the option is grayed out. What is the most likely reason?

medium

A. You are trying to merge non-adjacent cells

B. You did not select the cells before merging

C. Cells contain formulas that prevent merging

D. You have multiple sheets open

Solution

1. Step 1: Check selection for merging

   Google Sheets only allows merging of adjacent cells in a continuous block.

2. Step 2: Identify if cells are adjacent

   Merge option is grayed out for non-contiguous selections, such as A2 and A4 (skipping A3) when intending A2 to A4.

3. Final Answer:

   You are trying to merge non-adjacent cells -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Merge requires adjacent cells [OK]

Hint: Select only adjacent cells to enable merge option [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Not selecting any cells
• Thinking formulas block merging
• Believing multiple sheets affect merging

5. You want to create a title that spans across columns A to D in row 1. Which steps correctly merge these cells and keep the title text?

hard

A. Select A1:D1, then Format > Merge cells > Merge all, type title in A1

B. Type title in A1:D1, then Format > Merge cells > Merge horizontally

C. Select A1:D1, type title in A1, then Format > Merge cells > Merge vertically

D. Type title in A1, then select A1:D1 and press Delete

Solution

1. Step 1: Select the cells to merge

   Select cells A1 through D1 to cover the title area horizontally.

2. Step 2: Use the correct merge option

   Choose Format > Merge cells > Merge all to combine all selected cells into one.

3. Step 3: Enter the title text

   Type the title text in the top-left cell (A1) before or after merging; content stays visible.

4. Final Answer:

   Select A1:D1, then Format > Merge cells > Merge all, type title in A1 -> Option A

5. Quick Check:

   Merge all horizontally for title across columns [OK]

Hint: Select cells first, then merge all horizontally for title [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Merging vertically instead of horizontally
• Typing title in multiple cells before merging
• Deleting cells instead of merging