Fill down into merged cells without skipping rows

**jamesozzie** · 07-28-2007, 11:18 PM

Hi there, I hope somebody here can help me. Maybe it is a very simple solution or else not possible.

Anyway I have 1 column with around 6,000 rows in use (column A)
I have another column with merged cells. (all blank) (Column B)

I would like to make each cell in the merged cells simple equal the value in the first column. This I can do easily using (=a1)

The problem is Excel doesn't seem to be finding the pattern I would like. Because I have merged cells 3 rows in size(Column B) the auto fill is going from =a1 to =a4. I would like it to simply go from =a1 to =a2 to =a3 with my fill.

Sorry if i did not explain this in a great way but I would really really appreciate anybody s help!

**Ron Coderre** · 07-28-2007, 11:31 PM

Merging cells causes them to behave as one large single cell (along with fouling up sorting and other operations). Yet, you want the component cells of the merged range to be available for discrete values. It seems like you're working against Excel, instead of with it.

Perhaps if you describe the perceived need for merging, we could better understand what you're trying to do. It's very likely that there is an alternative to merging.

**jamesozzie** · 07-28-2007, 11:38 PM

I would like if there was an alternative to it! I am having such problems. I do have a need though i believe. I need to have 3 rows coming from each cell in Column A.

I could add 2 blank rows under each cell but that would take hours considering how much data I have it column A.

Do you have any suggestions?
thanks

**Ron Coderre** · 07-29-2007, 10:03 AM

Can you describe the purpose of the merged cells? are they only there for formatting purposes?

If yes, perhaps this iterative alternative:
Select B1:B3
Format those cells with a white solid pattern and a border around them.
(Now they "look like" a merged cell)
Copy B1:B3...Paste into B4
Copy B1:B6...Paste into B7
Copy B1:B12...Paste into B3
etc...with each copy/paste doubling the number of cells impacted

Then:
Put a 1 in B1
Select down through the last Col_B cell to be impacted.

<edit><fill><series>.....Click [OK]

Does that help?
...or do you need something else?

Fill down into merged cells without skipping rows

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