How to enter array formulas in merged cells
Have you ever tried to enter an array formula in merged cells? Then you are familiar with this error message: Array formulas are not valid in merged cells.
This is not true, they can be entered in merged cells.
Here are a few suggestions to solve this problem.
Table of Contents
1. Unmerge cells
- Select the merged cell.
- Go to tab "Home" on the ribbon.
- Press with left mouse button on the "Merge & Center" button to unmerge cells.
- Select the first cell of the unmerged cell.
- Enter the array formula.
- Select the cells you want to merge.
- Press with left mouse button on the "Merge & Center" button to merge cells.
Tip! You don't need to repeat these actions for all cells below, just press and hold on the black dot on the lower right corner of the cell, then drag down as far as needed. See animated image below.
2. Excel defined named ranges
This workaround requires you to create a named range containing the array formula you want to use. Here are the steps.
- Go to tab "Formula" on the ribbon.
- Press with left mouse button on "Name Manager".
- Type a name, I named it arrayformula.
- Enter the array formula in "Refers to:" field.
- Press with left mouse button on OK button.
- Select the merged cell.
- Type =arrayformula
- Press enter.
3. Excel 365 dynamic array formulas and merged cells?
The image above shows what happens when you try to enter a dynamic array formula in a merged cell in Excel 365.
Merged cells don't work with Excel 365 dynamic array formulas, the #SPILL error is what you get if you try to enter the formula in a merged cell or if a merged cell is in the spilling range.
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Hi Oscar,
Greetings. I was trying using the ARRAY Formula in the merged Cell, but facing an issue.
For a simple formula in the merged cell, the formula as explained on the website works perfectly but when I try to use it in another merged cell which contains HYPERLINK, I get #REF. I have pasted the code here for your reference. if you could please let me know what is wrong in this code.
=HYPERLINK(INDEX('01-08-2011'!$C$4:$L$129,MATCH(SEARCH!$C$2,'01-08-2011'!$C$4:$C$1159,0),11))
Thanks and regards,
Ali.
Done... Its Resolved :D
Thanks and regards,
Ali.