I\'m using the Google Spreadsheet API to convert a document containing workers shifts into event calendars. The only problem is that shifts are represented by merged cells a
It's not possible via spreadsheet API. I was looking for same. Google admits the same in their documentation.
The literal value of the cell element is the calculated value of the cell, without formatting applied. If the cell contains a formula, the calculated value is given here. The Spreadsheets API has no concept of formatting, and thus cannot manipulate formatting of cells.
Related question: Set cell format in Google Sheets spreadsheet using its API & Python
One alternate way can be to download the doc in excel format programmatically. It will contain formatting information. Then using excel API to extract the info.