How to Fill a Sequence Across Merged Cells in WPS Office Spreadsheets
Question details
The user needs to create a horizontal sequence of dates or numbers across a range that is currently merged, but Excel formulas cannot spill across multiple merged cells.
- Product
- WPS Office Spreadsheets
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- A user has a merged range such as C:L and wants to fill it with a horizontal date or number sequence using a formula.
- Observed behavior
- The formula does not populate or spill across the merged cells because merged cells block array formulas and normal data manipulation.
Open the worksheet that contains the merged range and confirm the starting value and the number of columns for the sequence. Make sure the cells to the right of the first cell are empty so the spilled results can fill them without being blocked.
Unmerge the Range and Use the SEQUENCE Formula
Best for dynamic arrays and automatic spill behavior when you need a clean horizontal date or number sequence.
Merged cells do not support array formula spill ranges. Unmerging restores normal worksheet grid behavior and lets the SEQUENCE function create a five-column series without manually copying the formula.
Select the merged range such as C:L, go to the Home tab, click Format, and choose Format Cells. Alternatively, press Ctrl+1.
In the Format Cells dialog, open the Alignment tab, clear the Merge cells check box, and click OK.
Click the first unmerged cell, such as C1, enter =SEQUENCE(1,5,DATE(2023,6,12),1), and press Enter.
Select the spilled range and apply a date format or the desired number format from the Home tab.
Unmerge and Copy a Regular Formula Across the Range
Use when SEQUENCE is not available or you prefer a manual fill series instead of a dynamic array formula.
Fill a Sequence Across Merged Cells in WPS Office Spreadsheets
Open your Excel workbook in WPS Office Spreadsheets, unmerge the target cells, and use the built-in SEQUENCE function to generate a horizontal date or number series cleanly. WPS Office preserves Excel formula behavior while remaining free and lightweight.
- 1. Open the workbook: Launch WPS Office Spreadsheets and open the Excel workbook that contains the merged range.
- 2. Unmerge the cells: Select the merged range, go to Home > Format > Format Cells, open the Alignment tab, clear Merge cells, and click OK.
- 3. Enter the SEQUENCE formula: Click the first unmerged cell and enter =SEQUENCE(1,5,DATE(2023,6,12),1), then press Enter.
- 4. Format the output: Select the spilled range and apply Short Date or the appropriate number format from the Home tab.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I fill a sequence across merged cells?
Merged cells act as a single cell and do not expose the individual grid positions that spill formulas such as SEQUENCE need. Unmerge the range first, then enter the formula in a normal cell range.
How do I unmerge cells before using SEQUENCE?
Select the merged range, press Ctrl+1 to open Format Cells, go to the Alignment tab, clear the Merge cells check box, and click OK.
Which formula fills five horizontal dates starting at June 12, 2023?
Use =SEQUENCE(1,5,DATE(2023,6,12),1) in the first unmerged cell. The result spills across five columns, and you can format the spilled range as dates.
Does WPS Office support the SEQUENCE function?
Yes, WPS Office Spreadsheets supports SEQUENCE in compatible versions and in Excel-compatible workbooks such as .xlsx files.
What can I do if SEQUENCE is not available?
Unmerge the range, enter a starting date or number in the first cell, then enter =C1+1 in the next cell and drag the fill handle across the remaining target cells.
