How to Open Center Peek in Notion (Step-by-Step Guide)
A quick guide to open Notion pages in center peek for a cleaner and faster workspace.
How to Merge Cells in Notion Table?
Notion can’t merge cells, but you can recreate the effect with simple layout tricks for cleaner, organized tables as shown in this guide.
No, you can’t merge cells in Notion. The app isn’t built like Excel or Google Sheets, where you can stretch one cell across others. Notion uses a database-style table, which keeps every cell separate to protect your data structure.
That might feel limiting if you want cleaner headers or grouped sections, but there are smart ways around it. With a few tricks, you can still make your tables look organized and easy to read.
In this guide, you’ll learn why Notion doesn’t support merged cells and how to recreate the same effect using simple layouts, callouts, and formatting tips, all without leaving Notion’s clean design.
Why People Want to Merge Cells
Even though Notion doesn’t offer merging, many users wish it did for good reasons:
- Cleaner headers: A single label like “Q1 Sales Data” spread across multiple columns looks neat and professional.
- Project timelines: Merged cells help show one task spanning several days, making timelines easier to follow.
- Better readability: Reports and summaries look less cluttered when sections are grouped visually.
- Quick summaries: Leaders prefer a simple snapshot, like Total Revenue across all regions, instead of rows of repeated numbers.
These use cases explain why the request keeps coming up, even though Notion’s data-first setup doesn’t allow merging.
What to Do Instead of Merging Cells
Since Notion doesn’t support real merging, the best option is to simulate the look using a few creative tricks:
- Use toggles for grouping
Add toggles above your table, such as “Q1 Summary” or “Marketing Data.” This makes sections collapsible and easier to scan.
- Add dividers for separation
Place horizontal lines between sections to break up large tables visually.
- Use columns outside tables
Drag blocks side by side to show related info, like Sales Data in one column and Marketing Performance in another.
- Format headers smartly
Use bold text, centered titles, or spacing to make headers look like they span across multiple columns.
- Highlight with callouts and colors
Add callouts or colored backgrounds to section headers. This makes grouped areas stand out without merging.
- Combine data manually
For small tables or dashboards, you can type both pieces of info in one cell (e.g., “Jan–Mar: $45,000”) and format it neatly.
How to Make Tables Easier to Read
Even without merging, you can make Notion tables look clean and organized:
- Create a visual order: Use bold text and consistent spacing so your data flows clearly.
- Add color coding: Use background colors or tags to group related information.
- Use database features: Tags, filters, and relations often make data more useful than merged cells would.
- Keep it simple: Avoid overdesigning; clarity matters more than decoration.
- Try other views: Notion’s board, gallery, or timeline views might fit your data better than a table.
- Adjust column widths: Balance your white space to make tables easier to read and scan.
Final Thoughts
You can’t merge cells in Notion, but that doesn’t mean your tables have to look plain or confusing. With simple tricks like toggles, dividers, callouts, and smart formatting, you can still make your tables look neat and easy to follow.
Notion’s database structure is built for consistency, but a little creativity goes a long way in making it work for your design.
If you ever want more layout freedom and styling options, try Bullet.so. It lets you turn your Notion pages into a clean, customizable website with full control over how everything looks and feels.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can you merge cells in Notion?
No, Notion does not allow traditional cell merging like Excel or Google Sheets. Each cell functions independently within its database structure to maintain consistent data organization.
- Why can’t I merge cells in Notion?
Notion is built as a database-first platform, which prioritizes structured, consistent data over flexible spreadsheet-style formatting. Merging cells would break the database logic and could cause inconsistencies across rows and columns.
- Is there a plugin or tool to merge cells in Notion?
Notion doesn’t support plugins for merging cells directly. For advanced formatting, you can embed external tools like Google Sheets or Airtable.
- How can I make Notion tables more readable without merging cells?
Use color coding, proper heading hierarchy, spacing, database properties (tags, relations, categories), and alternative views such as board, gallery, or timeline to organize information effectively.
Related Posts
How to Round Off Numbers in Notion (Easy Method)
Learn how to round off numbers in Notion to any decimal place using simple formulas.
How to Write Subscript & Superscript in Notion
Follow this guide on how to use subscript and superscript quickly with simple Notion shortcuts.
Made with Bullet