Auto Grouping/Merging in Excel

Question

I think the image attached describes better than I can in words the functionality I am trying to locate within excel.

Is there a way to auto group based on the contents within the columns as shown? This is achievable for the example shown, but when there are up to say 30 Groups and many sub group types, I am wondering whether excel can auto-detect and work its way through the list, grouping as shown as it goes.

Answer 1

You can get a similar result using conditional formatting. select the whole table and create a new conditional format rule and choose formula and enter =A1=A2 set the format font to white (I've used very light grey to show that the data is still there)

To get the borders, do the same again and this time enter the formula =A1<>A2 and make the top border black.

It's not exactly the same as yours but it's close.