Bottom Line: Learn how to combine multiple cells in Excel into one for cleaner, more organized data.

Skill Level: Beginner

When working with data in Excel, there are times when you need to combine or merge information from multiple cells into one.

Whether you're working with names, addresses, employee numbers, or any other type of data, knowing how to efficiently combine cells can save you time and make your data more readable.

Let’s look at three simple ways to combine cells in Excel:

  1. Using the & (Ampersand) OperatorThe easiest method to combine text from different cells is by using the ampersand symbol (&). This method allows you to merge content while keeping full control over formatting.

Steps:

  1. Click on the cell where you want the combined result.
  2. In the formula bar, type =A1&B1. Replace A1 and B1 with the cells you want to combine.
  3. Press Enter.

If you want a space between the values, modify the formula to include quotation marks with a space:
=A1&" "&B1

This method is simple and works for combining text, numbers, and more.

  1. Using the CONCATENATE FunctionCONCATENATE is another method for combining text, though it has been replaced by the more versatile TEXTJOIN function in later versions of Excel.

Steps:

  1. Select the cell where you want the combined result.
  2. Enter the formula =CONCATENATE(A1, " ", B1). Replace A1 and B1 with the cells you want to combine.
  3. Press Enter.

Like the ampersand method, this one allows for specific formatting but requires more typing.

  1. Using the TEXTJOIN FunctionIn Excel 2016 and later, the TEXTJOIN function makes it easy to combine values from multiple cells while specifying a delimiter (like a space or comma) and skipping empty cells.

Steps:

  1. Select the cell where you want the result.
  2. Enter the formula =TEXTJOIN(" ", TRUE, A1:B1). The first argument, " ", specifies a space as the delimiter. The second, TRUE, means empty cells are ignored. The third is the data range you want combined, so replace A1 and B1 with the relevant cell names for your purpose).
  3. Press Enter.

This function is powerful because it can handle large ranges of cells at once, and it’s easier to use than repeatedly entering the ampersand or CONCATENATE function.

Bonus Tip: Merging CellsIf you need to combine multiple cells into one but don't want to keep their contents (such as merging cells for formatting), you can use Excel's Merge & Center tool.

However, be cautious with this method as it will keep only the upper-left cell value, deleting the contents of all others.

ConclusionNow that you know how to combine cells in Excel, you can organize your data with ease. Try each method and see which one works best for your specific needs!

Which method do you see yourself using more frequently? Leave a comment below to let us know!

Link to post: How to Combine Cells in Excel

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