I have a spreadsheet that has both merged cells and unmerged cells, attached. I want to be able to have the "split cell" function for the dates, etc. and the project name have its own section. I've been digging around but haven't found anything that works yet. Any ideas?
I've attached the spreadsheet here as if you look it might be easier to see what I'm trying to do.
Ahh, the dreaded words. Merged cells.
Most of us avoid them like the plague. They just cause too many problems in too many areas, you've come across just one, associated I guess with wanting to sort the data.
Can you explain your whole process and what you are trying to achieve. There may well be a more efficient way of achieving it and on the face of it your data is shouting out for a normalised data table. But we'll be better able to comment if we understand your ultimate goal.
Richard Buttrey
RIP - d. 06/10/2022
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Thanks for the quick reply Richard. What I'd like to do is have one row for basically two rows of data. I need to have the project as the primary (currently merged cell) and two rows or split cells associated with that project (basically start and end date top and bottom). I've tried unmerging the cells and doing a =A2 for example in Row A3 to try and accommodate it but the sorting still ends up a bit screwy.
Seems simple enough but as you mentioned dreaded words...merged cells.
As I thought.
There is no easy solution given your current layout. Personally I'd rearrange it so that you have the following columns
At the moment you are mixing up the two elements of data capture and final reporting. The two require quite different treatments.
A lot of people start by designing the form that they expect to see as the final report, and then wonder why it's so difficult to subsequently analyse and summarise or extract information from it.
You should always capture data in a simple two dimensional table and worry about reporting information from it afterwards. Without exception doing this you will always be able to easily obtain management information. Rarely is this the case if you start the other way round.
You will also throw open the whole wonderful world of the powerful Pivot table functionality.
Current columns A:F
Column G will be a drop down validation in which you will select one of the values you currently have as column headers in H1:AR1
Column H will be for whatever you currently record in the first of the two rows for each date
Column I will be for whatever you currently record in the second of the two rows for each date.
Your table will then have a record on each row and the whole process of sorting, analysing, filtering and reporting is immensely simplified.
Post back if and when you've changed the layout and if you want additional advice, but as a minimum your sorting problem will now be straightforward.
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