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Combining Text in Excel with CONCAT and &

Tap a step below to see it explained in order.

  1. Combine with the & symbol

    A formula like =A1&B1 joins the contents of two cells into one.

  2. Use the CONCAT function

    Type =CONCAT(A1,B1,C1) to merge the contents of several cells at once.

  3. Add a separator while combining

    Something like =A1&" "&B1 inserts a space or comma between the combined values by placing it inside quotation marks.

  4. Combine more easily with TEXTJOIN

    A formula like =TEXTJOIN(",",TRUE,A1:A5) merges an entire range at once using the separator you specify.

  5. Why this is useful

    Perfect for merging a first and last name that live in separate columns, or reassembling an address that was split across multiple cells.

Pulling scattered information into one cell

It's common to receive data with a first and last name in separate columns, or an address broken across several fields. Rather than retyping everything manually, combining text with & or a dedicated function lets you consolidate it into a single, clean cell in seconds.

Choosing the right tool for the job

The & operator is quick for combining just two or three values, while CONCAT and especially TEXTJOIN scale much better when you're merging a long range of cells, since TEXTJOIN also lets you skip empty cells automatically and insert a separator without repeating it manually between every pair.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use & or the CONCAT function?

Both give identical results β€” & is quicker for combining just a couple of cells, while CONCAT or TEXTJOIN is more convenient when merging many cells at once.

Can I insert a line break inside the combined text?

Yes. Combine the CHAR(10) function with your formula and turn on "Wrap Text" for the cell, and a line break will appear inside the merged result.