The examples so far have not used the merge function. Data has been separated in the worksheet with a blank column between the data. When the Merge Data and Time box is checked, data can be merged so that one date displays corresponding to multiple data requests.
The example below shows the CL – NYMEX: Light, Sweet Crude Oil Futures Volume for a one-year period.
Now let’s merge the HO – NYMEX: Heating Oil Futures Volume also at a one-year period with the CL Volume.
When merging data, the new data will display adjacent to the last data column. In this case, the program automatically selects column B, row 1. The new HO Volume data will display in column C, row 1 adjacent to the CL Volume data.
The example below shows the result of the merge.
Dates and data retrieval options must match when doing a merge. If the CL Volume has the date set to one year and the HO Volume has the date set to one month then the merge will not work properly.
Let’s see what happens when the dates don't match. The CL Volume column becomes a date field. The dates and data retrieval options must match when doing a merge.
 | Once an Excel column is filled with date information that column will always display data as dates. You must reformat the column to contain number fields in order for data requests to display correctly. |
To reformat column B to contain numbers instead of dates:
Select column B.
From the Excel menu bar, select Format>Cells.
From the Category list choose: Number and from the Decimal Place list choose: 0.
Select OK.
The following graphic shows the date field converted back to a number field.
