I can't type in a cell after cell merge in MS Word

Anonymous

Hello,

I am working on a table in MS Word and trying to merge and change the cell direction to vertical on the very first column on the left of a table. But when I merge 3 cells, I can no longer type text in that merged cell.

I was able to do this before and saved this document as such. But now that I want to go back and edit the table, the text that was in that first merged column is gone and I can no longer type anything in it.

Also, after I click the merge option, the little + symbol at the top left corner of my table disappears. I have never had this happen to me before while using the tables feature

I tried restarting my computer but it is still doing this.

HELP!

Moved from:**Office /Word / Windows 10 / Unknown/other

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Anonymous

Hello Melanie,

Microsoft is aware of the ongoing issue with the merged table cells not working correctly in Word 2016. As of September 11, a workaround was released and a resolution is tentatively scheduled for October 3. As a workaround, you can uninstall both the latest update for Word 2016: KB3213656 and KB4011039. Your merged table cells should return to normal after removing both KBs. For more information about this known issue, you can refer to this article. Follow the steps below on how to uninstall an update on Windows 10:

Close Word 2016.
Select the Start button.
Go to Settings > Update & security > Update history > Uninstall updates.
Look for KB3213656 and KB4011039.
Select the updates and then click Uninstall.
Click Yes or enter the administrator password to proceed with the removal process.
Wait for the process to complete.

We're just here if you need further assistance.

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42 additional answers

Doug Robbins - MVP - Office Apps and Services 323.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2017-10-04T22:45:45+00:00

Suzanne does not work for Microsoft.

If the issue is impacting your work, you should take it up with your IT people.
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Anonymous

2017-10-03T19:14:07+00:00

Has the resolution been released? If not, what is the planned date?
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Anonymous

2017-09-24T16:38:03+00:00

If you're unable to see both KB updates in the Update history, you can instead perform a system restore. Performing this procedure will take your PC back to an earlier point in time using a system restore point. Restore points are generated when you install a new app, driver, or Windows update. Restoring your PC won't affect your personal files, but it will uninstall apps, driver, and updates installed after the restore point was made. Please follow the steps outlined in this article, under Restore from a system restore point. Both updates KB3213656 and KB4011039, have been released last August 8 and September 5 respectively.

Let us know if you require further assistance.
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Anonymous

2017-09-21T17:24:06+00:00

I have the same problem -- I'm unable to place my cursor into merged cells. Furthermore, KB3213656and KB4011039 are not part of the MSWord installation. What can I do? More accurately, what can the technical support at my university do? Our specialist just tried to uninstall the two files above, but he couldn't find them in the list of installed files. I looked, too. They weren't there.

Please help! I can't wait until October 3 for a fix from MS. I need to produce some docs with tables before then.

Many thanks,

Colleen Maloney-Berman
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