How to combine cell values in Excel

Below are the steps on how to combine (merge) multiple cells together to create one cell with the data from each individual cell.

Note: This document is for combining the "values", not on how to merge cells in Excel.

Using the Ampersand

1. In the new cell where you want the combined data to be stored, start by typing an = sign.
2. Click on the first cell containing data to be combined.
3. Type &" "& in the new cell after the cell identifier (i.e. A2, B2, C2, etc.). Make sure you have a space between the two quotation marks. This is to allow for a space between the data being combined.
4. Click on the second cell containing data to be combined.
5. Press the Enter key to combine the data in the two cells.

Example of completed formula

=A2&" "&B2

As seen in the example below, if A2 had a first name of "Joe" and B2 had a last name of "Smith" the cell containing the above formula would equal "Joe Smith".

Using the CONCATENATE function

1. In the new cell where you want the combined data to be stored, start by typing =CONCATENATE(.
2. Click on the first cell containing data to be combined.
3. Type ," ", in the new cell after the cell identifier (A2,B2,C2, etc.). Make sure you have a space between the two quotation marks, and commas on either side of the quotation marks. This is to allow for a space between the data being combined.
4. Click on the second cell containing data to be combined.
5. Type a ) (right parenthesis) at the end.
6. Press the Enter key to combine the data in the two cells.

Tip: If needed, you can combine more than two cells of data by repeating steps 3 and 4 for each additional cell being combined.

Example of completed formula

=CONCATENATE(A2," ",B2)

Concatenate works like the first example. Again, if A2 had a first name of "Joe" and B2 had a last name of "Smith" the cell containing the above formula would equal "Joe Smith".