Merged Cells when creating Tables.

Hi,

I'm trying to insert a table using a data-set with merged rows.

Something like this:

Name	Company	Address
A	1	y
	2	x
	6	y
B	3	y
	3	y
	1	x

Except, the first column contains merged rows (i.e. Name 'A' would be merged with the two cells below it). When I create the table, these cells would become unmerged. Is there a way to create a table/pivot table that would recognize merged rows?

What I'm trying to do with this table is to use 'Data Validation' for some entry fields that would recognize if the entry is contained within the table that I'm trying to create above. I'm also trying to sort the table by name and have the adjacent columns be attached to the corresponding name.

The data-set that I'm working with is formatted in this way. There are also formulas in the workbook that require the cells to be merged in this way.

Is there any way around this?