Column Merge in Excel

Excel Column Merge

We can merge values in two or more cells in excel. We can apply the same for columns as well. All that we require is to apply the formula in every cell of the column by dragging or copy-paste formula in each cell of the column. For example, we have a list of the candidates where we have the first name in one column and the last name in another column. The requirement here is to get the full name of all candidates in one column. We can do this by merging the column in excel.

How to Merge Multiple Columns in Excel?

We can merge the cells using two ways.

Method #1 – Using the CONCAT Function

We can merge the cells using the CONCAT FunctionUsing The CONCAT FunctionThe concatenate function in Excel is used to connect or concatenate two or more characters, strings, or numbers. The concatenate function is a better alternative to using the & operator to connect two variables.read more. Let us see the below example.

Example #1

We have Ram in the first name column and Kumar in the last name column. Now we need to merge the value in the full name column. So here we use =CONCAT(A2,” “,B2). The result will be as below.

Here you have noticed that I have used” “between the A2 and B2. This is used to give space between the first name and last name. If we have not used” “in the function, the result would have been Ramkumar, which looks awkward.

Method #2 – Merge the Cells by Using the “&” Symbol

We can merge the cells using the CONCAT function with the “&” symbol. Let us see the below example.

Example #2

We can merge the cells by using the “&” symbol in the formula. Let us merge the cells by using the “&” symbol. So the formula will be =A2& “” &B2. The result will be Kapil Gupta. 

Let us merge the value in 2 columns.

Example #3

We have a list of first names and last names in two different columns A and B, as shown below. Now we require the full name in column C.

Follow the below steps:

• Place cursor on C2
• Put formula =CONCAT(A2,” ”,B2) in C2.
• Copy cell C2 and paste in range of column C., i.e., if we have the first name and last name till 11^th Row, then paste formula till C11.

The result will be as shown below.

Example #4

Suppose we have a list of 10 students where first name, middle name, and last name in separate columns A, B, and C column, and we need the full name in column D.

Follow the below steps:

• Place cursor on D2
• Put formula =CONCAT(A2,” “,B2,” “,C2) in D2.
• Copy cell D2 and paste in range of column D., i.e., if we have the first name and last name till 11^th row, then paste the formula till D11.

The result will look as shown in the below image.

Example #5

We have a list of first names and last names in two different columns A and B, as shown below. We need to create a user id for each person.

Note: Space is not allowed in a user ID.

Follow the below steps:

• Place cursor on C2
• Put formula =CONCAT(A2,”.”,B2) in C2.
• Copy cell C2 and paste in range of column C., i.e., suppose we have the first name and last name till 11^th row than paste formula till D11.

The result will look as shown in the below image. Similarly, we can merge the value using some other character, i.e. (Dot (.), Hyphen (-), the asterisk (*), etc.

Things to Remembered

• CONCAT function works with excel-2016 or above version; if you are working on the earlier version of Excel, than you need to use the CONCATENATE function.
• It is not mandatory to use any space or special character while merging the cells. You can merge the cells in excel or columns without using anything.

Recommended Articles

This has been a guide to Excel Column Merge. Here we learn how to merge columns in excel by using the CONCAT function and “&” symbol methods along with examples and downloadable excel templates. You may learn more about excel from the following articles –

• Merge Worksheet in Excel
• Excel Shortcut for Merge and Center
• Unmerge Cells in Excel
• XOR in Excel