Merging cells accepts changes in table -- Word 2007

I have a 47-page table with some really funky formatting. I hope I can
describe it so you can picture what I'm describing.

The first four columns of the table have tall cells that serve as a "header
row" for the last six columns. Each of these header rows is tall enough that
it spans from five to forty rows in the the last six columns. The person who
built the table merged cells vertically in the first four columns in order to
create the effect.

In many cases, these header rows needed to span a page break, so the person
who built the table started a new row for the top of each page and then put a
continuation note in the header rows. The continuation note is centered
vertically. Now I need to add and delete a couple hundred rows in the last
six columns, and my page breaks don't fall right any more. Of course I need
to track my changes.

I can add the new rows easily enough, but in several places, the new row was
at the top or bottom of a page. In those cases, the new row spans all ten
columns. My problem is that when I try to merge the cells in the first four
columns, I get the "This will not be tracked as a change" notice, AND THEN IT
ACCEPTS ALL THE CHANGES IN ALL ADJACENT ROWS AND COLUMNS. Arghhh! I can
delete the cell borders so the cells look merged, but then my continuation
message isn't centered vertically.

Is there any way to merge cells in one column without accepting tracked
changes in adjacent cells? Who is master? Am I or is the program?

What would happen if you turned off Track Changes, merged the cells,
and then turned Track Changes back on?

Is there a reason for keeping it a single 47-page table?

On Mar 30, 10:52*am, Jerry wrote:
I have a 47-page table with some really funky formatting. I hope I can
describe it so you can picture what I'm describing.

The first four columns of the table have tall cells that serve as a "header
row" for the last six columns. Each of these header rows is tall enough that
it spans from five to forty rows in the the last six columns. The person who
built the table merged cells vertically in the first four columns in order to
create the effect.

In many cases, these header rows needed to span a page break, so the person
who built the table started a new row for the top of each page and then put a
continuation note in the header rows. The continuation note is centered
vertically. Now I need to add and delete a couple hundred rows in the last
six columns, and my page breaks don't fall right any more. Of course I need
to track my changes.

I can add the new rows easily enough, but in several places, the new row was
at the top or bottom of a page. In those cases, the new row spans all ten
columns. My problem is that when I try to merge the cells in the first four
columns, I get the "This will not be tracked as a change" notice, AND THEN IT
ACCEPTS ALL THE CHANGES IN ALL ADJACENT ROWS AND COLUMNS. Arghhh! I can
delete the cell borders so the cells look merged, but then my continuation
message isn't centered vertically.

Is there any way to merge cells in one column without accepting tracked
changes in adjacent cells? Who is master? Am I or is the program?