The purpose of the CONCATENATE function is really quite simple: it\u2019s used to combine multiple text strings together, resulting in one piece of text. In this article, I demonstrate how you can use CONCATENATE to join text in your spreadsheet in whatever format you\u2019re looking for.<\/p>\n
You’ll also find step-by-step instructions, how to join cells with a delimiter, how CONCATENATE compares with CONCAT and TEXTJOIN, and fixes for the most common errors.<\/p>\n
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Syntax<\/h2>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_class=”spreadsheet-function” _builder_version=”4.16″ border_width_left=”4px” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]=CONCATENATE(text 1, [text 2], \u2026)[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
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- Where text 1<\/b>, text 2<\/b>, etc. are individual pieces of text that you want to join together. These can be references to a cell containing text, a number, or text that you type directly into the equation between a set of quotation marks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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How to use the CONCATENATE function<\/h2>\n
To demonstrate how to use the CONCATENATE function, take a look at the example below. I want to combine first and last names into one text string.<\/p>\n
I do this in the screenshot below with the formula =CONCATENATE(B2,” “,A2)<\/b>.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/1.-Concatenate-name-example.png” alt=”Concatenate Excel \u2014 CONCATENATE joins first and last names with a space in the Full Name column” title_text=”CONCATENATE joins first and last names with a space in the Full Name column” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”640px” max_width=”640px” height=”443px” max_height=”443px” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
Notice that I\u2019ve added a space between the names by using a space in quotation marks (\u201c \u201c). If I didn\u2019t do this, the first and last names would be combined together without a space inbetween.<\/p>\n
Including the space, the function combines three different text items here. List each text string and separate them with a comma to join them all into one.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ll elaborate on this in the next example. Here, in addition to their full name, I want to write out how old each person is. I do this by taking the data from the spreadsheet (first name, last name, and age) and typing out the rest of the sentence within the formula.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/2.-Concatenate-name-and-age-example.png” alt=”Concatenate Excel \u2014 CONCATENATE builds sentences such as Alex Jones is 20 years old from three columns” title_text=”CONCATENATE builds sentences such as Alex Jones is 20 years old from three columns” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”640px” max_width=”640px” height=”443px” max_height=”443px” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
Notice how I include the spaces within the text that I type in the formula. For example, before and after the \u201c is \u201c I have included a space, so that when it combines with the text before and after, the space is included.<\/p>\n
Alternatively, you can add the spaces separately (use \u201c \u201c separated by a comma within the formula). However, it\u2019s easier to include them with the other text in order to reduce the total number of items you\u2019re combining. And if you forget a space somewhere (which happens all the time!) you\u2019ll notice the mistake as soon as you finish the formula, and can easily go back and add it in.<\/p>\n
CONCATENATE with numbers<\/h3>\n
Now that you\u2019ve seen how to combine text in a few different ways, I\u2019ll show an example that uses numbers.<\/p>\n
When you include a number in the CONCATENATE function, you don\u2019t need to put it in quotation marks \u2013 just separate it with a comma like you would any other item within the function. You can even perform a calculation within the function. That is exactly what I do in this example, by multiplying each person\u2019s age by 12 to get their approximate age in months.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/3.-Concatenate-age-in-months-example.png” alt=”Concatenate Excel \u2014 CONCATENATE multiplies the age by 12 inside the formula to give the age in months” title_text=”CONCATENATE multiplies the age by 12 inside the formula to give the age in months” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”640px” max_width=”640px” height=”443px” max_height=”443px” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
Notice how I didn\u2019t need to add a new column in the data to perform the calculation to turn years into months \u2013 I do it right in the formula by typing =CONCATENATE(B9,” “,A9,”‘s age in months is “, C9*12)<\/b>.<\/p>\n
To join whole columns rather than single cells, see how to combine multiple Excel columns into one<\/a>. It covers TEXTJOIN and an INDEX formula that stacks columns.<\/p>\n
Join text with the & operator<\/h3>\n
Use the ampersand (&) instead of the CONCATENATE function for quick combinations of text. By putting an ampersand between the text you want to join, you instruct Excel to combine text without having to type out the CONCATENATE function.<\/p>\n
I do this in the example below with this formula:\u00a0=B2 & ” ” & A2<\/b>.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/4.-Concatenate-example.png” alt=”Concatenate Excel \u2014 the ampersand operator joins first and last names with a space” title_text=”The ampersand operator joins first and last names with a space” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”640px” max_width=”640px” height=”443px” max_height=”443px” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
The choice between using the Ampersand method and the CONCATENATE function really comes down to personal preference: they both work well for combining text, so pick whichever one you prefer!<\/p>\n
CONCATENATE with the TEXT function<\/h3>\n
Combine the TEXT function with the CONCATENATE function to format numbers in your text.<\/p>\n
Take a look at the example below. I include the TEXT function in the TODAY function to indicate the day of each person\u2019s birthday (just assume they all share the same birthday for this example!).<\/p>\n
The formula I use here is =CONCATENATE(B2,” “,A2,”‘s birthday is “,TEXT(TODAY(),”DDDD”))<\/b>.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/5.-Concatenate-birthday-example.png” alt=”Concatenate Excel \u2014 CONCATENATE with TEXT and TODAY adds the weekday of each birthday” title_text=”CONCATENATE with TEXT and TODAY adds the weekday of each birthday” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”640px” max_width=”640px” height=”443px” max_height=”443px” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text module_id=”how-to-concatenate-in-excel-step-by-step” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
How to concatenate in Excel step by step<\/h2>\n
These steps use CONCAT, the newer version of CONCATENATE. Both take the same arguments here, so you can type either name. Any text you type into the formula, including a delimiter such as a space, goes between quotation marks.<\/p>\n
The screenshots come from Excel set to European regional settings, so they show semicolons between arguments. In the US and UK versions of Excel, you type commas, as in the steps.<\/p>\n
Join two cells with a space<\/h3>\n
Follow the steps below to concatenate strings using a space as the delimiter.<\/p>\n
1.<\/strong> Type the CONCAT function and select the cell with the first string.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/concatenate-excel-concat-first-name.webp” alt=”Concatenate in Excel \u2014 CONCAT typed in the fullname column with first name cell A2 selected” title_text=”CONCAT typed in the fullname column with first name cell A2 selected” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
2.<\/strong> Add a comma, followed by a space between quotation marks. Add another comma and select the cell with the second string.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/concatenate-excel-space-delimiter.webp” alt=”Concatenate in Excel \u2014 a space in quotation marks and last name cell B2 added to CONCAT” title_text=”A space in quotation marks and last name cell B2 added to CONCAT” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
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- 3.<\/strong> Add the closing parenthesis and press \u2018Enter\u2019 to see the result. Double-click the fill handle to copy the formula down to the last row. The finished formula is =CONCAT(A2," ",B2)<\/b>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/concatenate-excel-full-name-result.webp” alt=”Concatenate in Excel \u2014 first and last names joined with a space in the fullname column” title_text=”First and last names joined with a space in the fullname column” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text module_id=”how-to-concatenate-cells-with-a-space-co” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
How to concatenate cells with a space, comma, or custom delimiter<\/h2>\n
You can delimit items using any character or string you want. For example, you can join the different lines in an address with a comma and a space to get the full address. To use another delimiter, such as a hyphen, put it between the quotation marks instead. For a line break, use CHAR(10) without quotation marks and turn on Wrap Text.<\/p>\n
1.<\/strong> Type the CONCAT function and select the cell with the 1st address line.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/concatenate-excel-address-concat.webp” alt=”Concatenate with a delimiter in Excel \u2014 CONCAT started on the street address in the full_address column” title_text=”CONCAT started on the street address in the full_address column” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
2.<\/strong> Add a comma to separate the arguments, then type the delimiter between quotation marks: a comma followed by a space.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/concatenate-excel-comma-delimiter.webp” alt=”Concatenate with a delimiter in Excel \u2014 a comma and a space in quotation marks after the street address” title_text=”A comma and a space in quotation marks after the street address” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
3.<\/strong> Repeat the previous step for each address line, as shown below.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/concatenate-excel-full-address-formula.webp” alt=”Concatenate with a delimiter in Excel \u2014 city, state and country cells added with a comma and space between each” title_text=”City, state and country cells added with a comma and space between each” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
4.<\/strong> Add the closing parenthesis and press \u2018Enter\u2019 to see the result. Double-click the fill handle to copy the formula down. The finished formula is =CONCAT(A2,", ",B2,", ",C2,", ",D2)<\/b>, which returns 8058 Shoshone, Vero Beach, FL, United States.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_id=”join-cells-with-a-delimiter-using-textjo” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
Join cells with a delimiter using TEXTJOIN<\/h3>\n
The TEXTJOIN function is ideal when joining multiple items with delimiters, as it will save you a lot of typing. Additionally, you can ignore empty cells in your selection using the second parameter: ‘ignore_empty’. For example, =TEXTJOIN(" ",TRUE,A2:B2)<\/b> joins the first and last name in A2:B2 with a space.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/concatenate-excel-textjoin.webp” alt=”TEXTJOIN in Excel \u2014 TEXTJOIN with a space delimiter and TRUE joins the first and last names in A2:B2″ title_text=”TEXTJOIN with a space delimiter and TRUE joins the first and last names in A2:B2″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text module_id=”concatenate-vs-concat-vs-textjoin” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
CONCATENATE vs CONCAT vs TEXTJOIN<\/h2>\n
While the CONCATENATE function is still available for compatibility with earlier versions of Excel, Microsoft\u2019s support site recommends using the replacement: CONCAT. You can use Excel\u2019s CONCAT function to join any values you type or the contents of cells, whether they are text, numbers, or dates. You can concatenate up to 254 items or a total of 32,767 characters.<\/p>\n
Unlike its predecessor, CONCAT can handle arrays. Unlike TEXTJOIN, however, it has no \u2018delimiter\u2019 parameter, so each instance has to be added separately. In other words, if you need to concatenate multiple items using delimiters, you should consider using TEXTJOIN.<\/p>\n
- 3.<\/strong> Add the closing parenthesis and press \u2018Enter\u2019 to see the result. Double-click the fill handle to copy the formula down to the last row. The finished formula is =CONCAT(A2," ",B2)<\/b>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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