Knowledge Base

WD97: "Word Could Not Split..." Attempting to Split Cells

Article ID: 161671

Article Last Modified on 1/19/2007

Microsoft Word 97 Standard Edition

This article was previously published under Q161671

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to split table cells horizontally, you receive the following error message:

Word could not split the selection containing a merged cell.

CAUSE

The selection contains one or more cells that have been merged vertically.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use either of the following methods:

Method 1: Split table cells separately

Select each table cell individually and split the cell.

-or-
Select the table cells that do not include vertically merged cells, and then split the cells.

-or-
Select the table cells that have been vertically merged, and then split the cells.

Method 2: Increase selection to include entire range

Select all table rows that contain cells that have been vertically merged, and then split the cells.

MORE INFORMATION

Microsoft Word 97 for Windows allows you to merge table cells vertically. This is a new feature for Word tables.

To Merge Table Cells Vertically

Select the cells to merge.
On the Table menu, click Merge Cells.

For additional help, click the Office Assistant, type in How do I merge table cells vertically, click Search, and then click to view "Merge cells into one cell in a table".

NOTE: If the Assistant is hidden, click the Office Assistant button on the Standard toolbar. If Microsoft Word Help is not installed on your computer, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

120802 Office: How to Add/Remove a Single Office Program or Component

Additional query words: 8.0 word8 word97 verticle vertical

Keywords: kbtable KB161671