The solution is to ensure that you write a formatted blank to other cells in the merged range as follow:

    #!/usr/bin/perl -w

    use strict;
    use Spreadsheet::WriteExcel;


    my $workbook  = Spreadsheet::WriteExcel->new('test.xls');
    my $worksheet = $workbook->addworksheet();


    $worksheet->set_row($_, 30) for (1..11);
    $worksheet->set_column('B:D', 20);


    my $format = $workbook->addformat(
                                        border  => 6,
                                        bold    => 1,
                                        color   => 'red',
                                        valign  => 'vcenter',
                                        align   => 'center',
                                      );



    $worksheet->write('B2', 'Some text here', $format);
    $worksheet->write_blank('C2', $format);
    $worksheet->write_blank('D2', $format);
    $worksheet->write_blank('B3', $format);
    $worksheet->write_blank('C3', $format);
    $worksheet->write_blank('D3', $format);

    $worksheet->merge_cells('B2:D3');
[download]

If this doesn't fix your problem then send me an email.

--
John.

John,

That certainly sounds like a strong possibility in our situation. I will have the code reviewed for systematic formatting for the entire range of merged cells.

Thanks for your help. In case it's of any use to you, I'll let you know at your email what we find.

Bob