How to Split a Cell Diagonally in Google Sheets (2024 Guide)

Method 1: Using the Tilt Feature and Line Breaks

Follow the steps below to split a cell diagonally using the tilt feature and line breaks.

Step 1: Clear Existing Borders

Start by clearing any borders from the cell or range of cells you wish to split diagonally to avoid any visual clutter.

Step 2: Insert Line Break and Dashes

Click inside the cell where you want the diagonal split. Place your cursor where you want to insert a break, then press Ctrl + Enter (or Cmd + Enter on Mac) to create a line break. After the break, insert several dashes (-) to create a makeshift line.

Below is a demonstration:

Step 3: Apply Text Rotation 

With the cell still selected, go to the Format menu, choose Rotation, and then select an option (Tilt Up or Tilt Down, depending on your preference) that tilts the text to align with your makeshift line. 

Here's what it should look like: 

Method 2: Drawing a Diagonal Line Manually

Follow the steps below to split a cell diagonally by drawing a diagonal line manually.  

Step 1: Organize Text 

Arrange the text in your cell in a way that leaves space for a diagonal line. You might want to place one part of the text at the top of the cell and the other at the bottom.

Step 2: Create a Diagonal Line

Go to the Insert menu, choose Drawing, and then select + New. Use the line tool in the drawing panel to draw a diagonal line.

Step 3: Finalize and Position the Line within the Cell

Once the line is drawn, click Save and Close. Adjust the drawing's position so that the line aligns perfectly within the cell, creating a clear visual split.

Using the SPARKLINE Function

Follow the steps below to split a cell diagonally using the SPARKLINE function.

1. Create Diagonal Line 

Click in the cell where you want the diagonal split. Enter the SPARKLINE function with parameters to create a line, for example, =SPARKLINE({0,1}) for a line from the bottom left to the top right, or =SPARKLINE({1,0}) for the opposite.

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Step 2: Change the Line Color 

You can customize the color of the diagonal line by adding options to the function, like =SPARKLINE({0,1},{"color","red"}).

Note: With the SPARKLINE function, you won't be able to add any text.

We hope that this article has helped you and given you a better understanding of how to split a cell diagonally in Google Sheets. If you enjoyed this article, you might also like our articles on how to set up an income tax calculator in Google Sheets and how to fix the problem of Google Sheets not saving changes.