Creating 2 Separate Columns For Part of Document

[JacAttack]

I'm updating our company phone list and I want to be able to have just a small section in the spreadsheet split into 2 columns while the columns beneath stay as 1 column. Is this feasible?

[jeffreybrown]

Doesn't really sound like it? Sounds like it would involve merged cells which are something to avoid if at all possible.

In lieu of merged cells, look at center across selection

Ctrl + 1 >> Alignment tab >> Horizontal >> Center Across Selection

[JacAttack]

I'm liking it so far. Is there any way to spread the numbers apart in the row besides putting a lot of spaces between them?

[jeffreybrown]

I'm guessing you are referring to the phone list?

Why doesn't the centering work?

Do you have a sample because this could go in many directions?

[JacAttack]

Yes, still referring to the phone list. Once I've centered across selection is there any way that's simpler than pressing space a bunch of times to spread the 2 numbers in the cell out? Let me know if you need further clarification and I could send a sample.

[jeffreybrown]

A sample would be nice

How far do you want these numbers to stretch and how many column are you centering across?

Hopefull a small sample workbook will clear this up.

[JacAttack]

OK here's an idea of what I'm working with. We have our employee contacts above our supplier contacts, which tend to have a bunch of info in the address section. This makes the column pretty big for the phone numbers above, which is why I wanted to put 2 mini columns in column B (see attached sample).

sample.xls

[jeffreybrown]

Here is just a thought, but in the end I don't really know what you are trying to display.

Select cell D10 >> Ctrl + 1 >> Format cells >> Alignment tab

[JacAttack]

Thanks. That's pretty much what I was going for, except is there any way to have the address column spread over the cells but justified left? Also, I'm curious why one should avoid merged cells?

[jeffreybrown]

You can just use the alignment tools to align left which really takes away the center across selection, but if you have enough space for the address then it is not big deal.

Merge cells are a debate.

They are not bad, they just interfere with other things you might want to accomplish with your spreadsheet.

Just a few examples:

1) If you want to explore some VBA routines down the road, VBA and merged cells just don't play well together.

2) If you need to rearrange stuff on your spreadsheet, merged cells can cause formatting issues.

3) If you want to add/delete rows/column, again, the merged cells can get in the way.

Don't get me wrong, I have used them before because I just couldn't get away from them, but a lot of times there are ways around them, just takes some thinking.

[JacAttack]

Thanks a ton it's looking a lot better!

[jeffreybrown]

You're very welcome and glad to have helped. Thanks for the feedback