diff --git a/PROMS/Volian.Controls.Library/GridItem.cs b/PROMS/Volian.Controls.Library/GridItem.cs
index 38adfae7..12e0aa3f 100644
--- a/PROMS/Volian.Controls.Library/GridItem.cs
+++ b/PROMS/Volian.Controls.Library/GridItem.cs
@@ -242,8 +242,9 @@ namespace Volian.Controls.Library
 			if (Initializing) return;
 			if (MyFlexGrid.Selection.IsSingleCell && MyFlexGrid.Row >= 0 && MyFlexGrid.Col >= 0)
 			{
-				object obj = MyFlexGrid[MyFlexGrid.Row, MyFlexGrid.Col];
-				_OrigRtf = obj == null ? string.Empty : obj.ToString();
+				// B2020-088: get string using method in case of merged cells
+				string rtf = MyFlexGrid.GetCellRTFString(MyFlexGrid.Row, MyFlexGrid.Col);
+				_OrigRtf = rtf == null ? string.Empty : rtf;
 			}
 		}
 		void MyStepRTB_KeyDown(object sender, KeyEventArgs e)