XL97: "Cannot Change Part of a Merged Cell" Error When You Drag a Merged Cell Over Another Merged Cell (168956)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
This article was previously published under Q168956

SYMPTOMS

When you drag and drop a merged cell in Microsoft Excel 97, you may receive the following error message:
Cannot change part of a merged cell.

CAUSE

This error message occurs if either of the following conditions is true:

  • The location to which you are dragging the merged cell overlaps the original location of the merged cell. -or-

  • The location to which you are dragging the merged cell overlaps another merged cell without completely covering it.
NOTE: If the new location of the merged cell completely covers another merged cell, the error message does not occur.

RESOLUTION

To prevent this error message from occurring, make sure that when you drag and drop a merged cell, the new location of the merged cell does not overlap any existing merged cells without completely covering them.

MORE INFORMATION

Microsoft Excel 97 includes a new feature that enables you to merge a range of cells into a single, merged cell. To use this feature, select the cells that you want to merge, and then perform either of the following steps:

  • On the Format menu, click Cells. Select the Alignment tab. Click to select the Merge Cells check box, and click OK.

    -or-
  • Click the Merge And Center button on the Formatting toolbar.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/22/2000
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb KB168956
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