How To Combine 2 Columns In Excel

Walter Cronk

2 min read

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04-04-2025

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Combining columns in Excel is a fundamental task for data manipulation and analysis. Whether you need to merge data for reporting, cleaning up messy spreadsheets, or preparing data for analysis, this guide provides several effective methods to achieve this efficiently. We'll cover different scenarios and techniques, ensuring you can handle any column combination challenge.

Method 1: Using the CONCATENATE Function

The CONCATENATE function is a straightforward way to join text strings from different cells. This is ideal when you want to combine data from two columns into a single column, preserving the original cell values.

Steps:

1. Select the target cell: Choose the cell where you want the combined data to appear.
2. Enter the formula: Type =CONCATENATE(A1,B1) (replacing A1 and B1 with the first cells of the columns you want to combine). This formula joins the content of cell A1 and B1.
3. Autofill: Drag the bottom-right corner of the cell (the small square) down to apply the formula to the rest of your data. Excel will automatically adjust the cell references as you drag.

Example: If A1 contains "First" and B1 contains "Last", the formula will return "FirstLast". To add a space between the names, modify the formula to: =CONCATENATE(A1," ",B1).

Advantages of CONCATENATE:

• Simple and easy to understand: Perfect for beginners.
• Flexible: Allows for the inclusion of additional text or characters within the combined string.

Method 2: Using the Ampersand (&) Operator

A more concise alternative to CONCATENATE is using the ampersand (&) operator. This operator performs the same function of joining text strings.

Steps:

1. Select the target cell: Choose the cell where the combined data will reside.
2. Enter the formula: Use the formula =A1&B1. Again, replace A1 and B1 with the appropriate cell references.
3. Autofill: As with CONCATENATE, drag the bottom-right corner to apply the formula across your data.

Example: The formula =A1&" "&B1 will combine "First" and "Last" from A1 and B1, respectively, resulting in "First Last".

Advantages of the Ampersand Operator:

• Shorter and more efficient: Reduces formula length, making it easier to read and manage.
• Same functionality as CONCATENATE: Achieves identical results.

Method 3: Using the TEXTJOIN Function (Excel 2019 and later)

For combining multiple columns or adding delimiters more easily, the TEXTJOIN function is incredibly powerful.

Steps:

1. Select the target cell.
2. Enter the formula: =TEXTJOIN(" ",TRUE,A1:B1) This joins the content of cells A1 and B1 with a space (" ") as a delimiter. TRUE indicates that empty cells should be ignored.
3. Autofill: Drag the bottom-right corner to apply across your data.

Advantages of TEXTJOIN:

• Handles multiple columns: Easily combines more than two columns.
• Delimiter control: Allows you to specify the character separating the combined values (e.g., comma, semicolon, space).
• Ignores empty cells (optional): The TRUE argument provides control over handling empty cells.

Choosing the Right Method

The best method depends on your specific needs:

• Simple two-column combination: Use the ampersand (&) operator for its brevity.
• More complex combinations or delimiter control: Use TEXTJOIN for its flexibility.
• Beginner-friendly approach: CONCATENATE offers a clear and easy-to-understand solution.

By mastering these techniques, you'll significantly improve your Excel efficiency and data manipulation skills. Remember to always adjust cell references to match your specific data ranges.