Data wont sort

[josch10]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger)
Processor: Power PC

After the latest update 12.1.9 I keep getting the message "This operation requires the merged cells to be identically sized" on a spreadsheet that I never had problems with sorting in the past. I have checked that all column entries fit within the columns. Don't know why it just happened.

 

[JE McGimpsey]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger)
Processor: Power PC

After the latest update 12.1.9 I keep getting the message "This operation
requires the merged cells to be identically sized" on a spreadsheet that I
never had problems with sorting in the past. I have checked that all column
entries fit within the columns. Don't know why it just happened.

It's not a matter of whether entries fit, it's that you're trying to
sort (non-identically sized) merged cells.

In general, because of this and other problems, one should never use
merged cells.

Many, if not most, merged cells can be replaced by formatting the cells
to Center Across Selection.

To solve your problem, either select only non-merged (or identically
merged) cells when you sort, or unmerge your cells.

 

[josch10]

Thank you. Somehow I must have accidentally "merged" some cells. How do I tell which cells were merged and how do I unmerge them. This is a spreadsheet I have been using for our film society for a few years with columns for title, date, distributor, address (several columns for street, city, country, etc, phone, fax, email, and web site so there are about 500 rows.

 

[JE McGimpsey]

Thank you. Somehow I must have accidentally "merged" some cells. How do I
tell which cells were merged and how do I unmerge them.

One way:

Select your cells. Choose Format/Cells. In the Alignment tab, the "Merge
cells" should have a horizontal line. Click it twice to clear the
checkbox. Click OK.