Two Rows in Column C for Every One Row in Column A Without Merging

Hello -

I am attempting to build a responsibility matrix for my organization, which utilizes the RACI (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed) framework. Generally RACI matrices have core responsibilities as row headers and individual teams as column headers. Process owners enter an R, A, C, I, a combination of those designations, or leave the box blank for each team and responsibility.

Rather than have an 80 column wide matrix, I have designed our template with the core responsibilities still as row headers, but with the R, A, C, and I as the column headers and have placed all of the teams in a list that the process owner can simply select from a drop down. The information contained within each column is:
Column A - Responsibility Type (selected from drop down)
Column B - Responsibility (actual activity)
Column C - Responsible Team(s)
Column D - Accountable Team
Column E - Consulted Team(s)
Column F - Informed Team(s)

Since there can be more than one Responsible, Consulted, and Informed team, but only one team can be Accountable, and the Responsibility Type and Activity don't need to be duplicated in two rows, the number of rows for each Activity should be as follows:

Column A - 1
Column B - 1
Column C - 2
Column D - 1
Column E - 2
Column F - 2

The easiest way to do this is merging, though I'm not a fan, and it's impossible to format as a table with merged cells. Because this is a template, I need it to be easy for the other process owners to enter their information, add additional core responsibilities, etc. I think we all know the dangers of providing an unprotected spreadsheet to those who are unfamiliar with basic formatting techniques. I'm no Excel genius, but I have a working knowledge. The other process owners have expressed that they really have no knowledge, working or otherwise.

I have tried leaving the table completely unmerged and using Fill/ Justify for my personal RACI, but getting some of these other process owners to do that could be a bit of a nightmare.

I'm also aware that it is possible to have 'merged' cells in a range, but I would lose the integrity of the table, so I'm not certain that is that correct option, either.

Any input, even if it would involve a different table design, is welcome, and I appreciate all of your assistance in advance!

Thanks!

Britt C.

I would recommend that, rather than trying to go across rows, you use two columns for C, E, and F. So, you would extend out to column I, and, as one example, C would be 'Responsible Team 1' and D would be 'Responsible Team 2'.

Pauley