single table with columns that have different amounts of rows

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Only by making use of merged cells, and no-one I know has a good word to say
about merged cells, so from my perspective, no.

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Regards
Ken....................... Microsoft MVP - Excel
Sys Spec - Win XP Pro / XL 97/00/02/03

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It's easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission :-)
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Wow... I'm actually quite surprised at this response.

Merged Cells can be very useful for creating design layout. Yes, I'll admit
that if you're doing a lot of calculations and range-work, then they can make
things a bit more tricky. But that is hardly reason to dismiss their use.

I use them quite often when desinging forms, and have no complaints. I will
agree that they should not be used on worksheets designed solely for data
storage and calculation. But if you're concerned about layout (especially
for print jobs), I don't see how you can go without merged cells.

Anyway, it does come down to what you want to be able to accomplish. If
appearance matters, then by all means, use merged cells.

Just my 2 cents.
Elkar
 
They screw up formula referencing and copy / paste functionality to name but
a few. Most of us tend to use spreadsheets as calculation engines, and i
don't want merged cells anywhere nearby. Just a personal preference, but
one that has been echoed by many of the regulars in here as result of
experience. If the use you put Excel to causes you no problems then great,
but in most cases merged cell functionality can be replaced using Format /
cells / alignment / Horizontal / center across range with no impact to
referencing etc.

Regards
Ken....................
 
That is one of the beauties of Excel though, its versatility. It is capable
of so much more than being just a spreadsheet program. Merged Cells may have
no place in your work. Other aspects of Excel have little place in mine.
But I'd never suggest anything negative about them just because they don't
fit with what I use Excel for, or because I haven't taken the time to learn
how to use them.

I seem to remember getting into another unresolvable battle of opinions with
you before Ken, which I don't really wish to repeat. I wouldn't have even
responded in the first place, but a User came here looking for help, and your
response was basically, "No you can't, because I don't like it." Its just my
opinion, but I don't think that is a useful reply, nor one becoming of a
"Microsoft MVP".

Anyway, I shall just agree to disagree and leave it at that.

Elkar
 
I don't believe I said that at all. I pointed out that it could be done
with merged cells and simply expressed my distaste for them because of
issues they can cause, which is far better than sending someone off down a
road that may cause them grief with no warning. if they wish to use them
they are very free to do so.

Being an MVP doesn't mean I tell everyone that Excel is wonderful and omit
pointing out possible shortcomings by any means. Whatever it is capable of
being, the majority of people I deal with use it as what it was designed to
be, a spreadsheet, and hence my warning.

Regards
Ken.................
 
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