Stop using “Merge & Center” – use this instead
Over the years, Excel has become an indispensable companion for anyone working with data. Among its many features is one that may not get as much attention as formulas or charts, but still plays an important role when it comes to presenting and formatting data – Center Across Selection. This feature allows you to organize and highlight your data in a worksheet in a simple and visually appealing way.
What is “Center Across Selection”?
“Center Across Selection” is a formatting feature in Excel that allows you to center the contents of one or more cells both horizontally and vertically across a selected range. This means the cell content is positioned in the middle of the selection, creating a balanced and visually appealing layout. This feature is particularly useful when formatting headings, title cells, or specific areas of your worksheet where you want to achieve a visually prominent effect.
Image 1: To select Center Across Selection, press Ctrl + 1, go to the Alignment tab, and then choose Center Across Selection from the Horizontal dropdown list.
How do I use “Center Across Selection”?
To use this feature, select the cells over which you want to center the content, including the cell that contains the information. Then press Ctrl + 1, go to the Alignment tab, and under Horizontal, choose Center Across Selection.
Image 2: To center text across the selected cells, use Center Across Selection.
Why you should use Center Across Selection instead of Merge & Center
A good rule of thumb is to almost never use Merge & Center, especially in areas where calculations are performed. In the example below, it becomes very clear why Merge & Center should be avoided and what distinguishes the two functionalities.
Closing Remarks
Center Across Selection is one of those small—but incredibly valuable—features in Excel, in my opinion. It can make a significant difference when it comes to improving the presentation and readability of your data. By creating a more attractive and organized layout, you can make your data easier to understand and communicate your insights more effectively.
Next time you work in Excel, don’t forget to take advantage of this simple yet powerful feature to give your data the attention it deserves. What you should forget, however, is how to use Merge & Center.
/ Niklas at Learnesy
