What does "merge cells" mean in a table?

Merging cells in a table refers to the action of combining two or more selected cells into one larger cell. This is commonly used in document formatting to create a more visually organized layout, especially for headers or to group data that belongs together. When cells are merged, the original edges between the cells disappear, resulting in a single cell that spans the area of the combined cells. This allows for a unified presentation of data and can improve readability and emphasis on certain table sections. Understanding this concept is important for effective table design and layout in word processing applications, as it enables users to organize information more clearly.