Final answer:
The question deals with merging table cells and centering text across them, which is a feature in word processing and spreadsheet software. The process typically involves selecting the cells, merging them through a right-click menu or tool button, and then using alignment options to center the text.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question relates to cell merging in a spreadsheet or a text document and how to center text across these merged cells. In programs like Microsoft Word or LibreOffice Writer, you can select the cells in a table that you want to merge, right-click to find merge options, and then use the text alignment tools to center the text within the newly formed merged cell. For a spreadsheet application such as Microsoft Excel or LibreOffice Calc, the process is similar: highlight the cells, right-click to find the merge option (or use the merge button in the toolbar), and then apply text centering.
When merging cells for formatting purposes in tables containing data like molecular mass or formula mass, the resulting cell often serves as a category label or summary area below numerical data. It's essential to ensure accuracy in such scientific tables to avoid confusing the reader or misrepresenting the information provided, especially when dealing with elements' quantities and atomic masses. Detailed edit histories, such as those available through LibreTexts, can help maintain the integrity of shared data.