Formatting Issues

How to Split One Cell Into Multiple Cells in Excel

Elise Williams Oct 9, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to know if a single Excel cell can be physically divided into multiple cells and how to achieve this visual or data separation.

How to Split One Cell Into Multiple Cells in Excel

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Formatting worksheet layouts or separating combined text data into individual adjacent cells.
Observed behavior: While a fundamental single cell cannot be physically subdivided, users can achieve the desired outcome by unmerging cells, extracting text into separate cells, or using alignment settings.

Before you start

Determine whether you need to split the actual text data inside a cell into multiple columns, or if you simply need to unmerge a previously merged cell to adjust your worksheet layout.

Solution 1Recommended

Unmerge Previously Merged Cells

Use this method if the cell was previously created by merging two or more individual cells together.

A single, unmerged cell in Excel is the most basic building block of a spreadsheet and cannot be physically subdivided. However, if a cell is large because it was previously merged, you can easily separate it back into its original standard cells.

Select the target cell

Click on the large, merged cell that you want to divide.

Locate the alignment tools

Navigate to the 'Home' tab on the top Excel ribbon.

Unmerge the cell

Click the drop-down arrow right next to the 'Merge & Center' button and select 'Unmerge Cells' from the list.

Solution 2

Split Text Contents Using TEXTSPLIT or Text to Columns

Use this approach to separate words or data combined in one cell across multiple adjacent cells.

Solution 3

Use Center Across Selection (Visual Layout Alternative)

A great alternative to merging cells that gives the visual appearance of one large cell without causing sorting or formatting issues.

WPS Spreadsheet Solution

Easily Format and Split Cells with WPS Spreadsheet

WPS Spreadsheet provides intuitive, easy-to-use tools to unmerge cells, split text data into columns, and format your layouts without compromising data sorting. It offers identical capabilities to Excel for managing cell structures.

1. Open your file in WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office and open the workbook containing the cells you wish to split or format.
2. Unmerge the cells: Select the merged cell, go to the 'Home' tab, and click the 'Merge and Center' drop-down to select 'Unmerge Cells'.
3. Split text into columns: To divide the data itself, select the cell, go to the 'Data' tab, and utilize the 'Text to Columns' feature to separate your data by your chosen delimiter.

Seamlessly unmerge cells and split text with a single click.100% formatting compatibility with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xls) files.Lightweight software with a familiar interface that requires zero learning curve.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I physically split a standard Excel cell into smaller ones?

A standard, unmerged cell is the fundamental building block of an Excel worksheet and cannot be subdivided further. If you need a smaller layout, you must either insert new columns or rows, or use merged cells for the surrounding areas to make the single cell appear smaller by comparison.

Does splitting a merged cell delete my data?

No, unmerging a cell will not delete any of your data. The text or numerical value will simply be placed into the top-left cell of the previously merged area, leaving the other adjacent cells completely empty.

How do I separate first and last names from one cell into two?

You can use the 'Text to Columns' feature located under the 'Data' tab. Select the cell containing the full name, choose 'Delimited', set the delimiter to 'Space', and the program will automatically separate the first and last names into two adjacent columns.

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