To combine two cells in Excel, use the & operator or the CONCATENATE function. For example, =A1 & " " & B1 will join the contents of A1 and B1 with a space between. 🔗 This is extremely useful when you need to merge names, codes, or other text entries into one field. It’s fast, easy, and works seamlessly across Windows, Mac, and Ubuntu.
🧠 Why Combine Cells in Excel?
Merging two cells helps you:
- Create full names from first and last
- Merge addresses, labels, or IDs
- Build search-friendly strings
- Clean up or reformat imported data
- Save time on manual entries
It’s a go-to method when cleaning spreadsheets or preparing data for export or reporting. 🧹
✨ Method 1: Combine Using & (Ampersand Operator)
Formula:
=A1 & B1
To add a space, comma, or dash:
=A1 & " " & B1
=A1 & ", " & B1
=A1 & "-" & B1
✅ Pros: Fast and easy
❌ Cons: Slightly messy with many values
🧩 Method 2: Use the CONCATENATE() Function
Formula:
=CONCATENATE(A1, " ", B1)
✅ Works in all Excel versions (pre-2016)
❌ Deprecated in newer Excel (replaced by CONCAT())
🆕 Method 3: Use TEXTJOIN() (Excel 2016+)
Formula:
=TEXTJOIN(" ", TRUE, A1, B1)
" "= delimiter (space in this case)TRUEignores blank cells- Perfect for combining multiple cells with consistent separators!
✅ Most powerful option
❌ Not available in older versions
🔧 Keyboard Shortcuts for Combining Cells
| Task | Windows | macOS | Ubuntu (LibreOffice Calc) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start formula | = | = | = |
| Insert function | Shift + F3 | Shift + F3 | Ctrl + F2 |
| Confirm formula | Enter | Return | Enter |
| Expand formula bar | Ctrl + Shift + U | Cmd + Shift + U | Ctrl + Shift + U |
💡 Pro Tip: After typing =CONCATENATE(, press Ctrl + A to open the formula builder.
📄 Real-World Examples of Combining Cells
| Task | Formula | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Combine First & Last Name | =A2 & " " & B2 | John Smith |
| Merge City & Zip Code | =A2 & ", " & B2 | New York, 10001 |
| Create Email Address | =A2 & "." & B2 & "@domain.com" | john.smith@domain.com |
| Labeling Rows | `=”Item: ” & A2 & “ | Qty: ” & B2` |
🧹 How to Remove Spaces After Combining
Use TRIM() to remove extra spaces:
=TRIM(A1 & " " & B1)
Especially helpful when some cells are blank or include accidental leading/trailing spaces.
🔁 Bonus: Combine Numbers and Text
="Order #" & A2 & " - Qty: " & B2
You can even format numbers:
="Total: $" & TEXT(B2, "0.00")
🐧 How to Combine Cells in Ubuntu (LibreOffice Calc)
LibreOffice Calc uses the same logic:
=A1 & " " & B1
=CONCATENATE(A1, " ", B1)
=TEXTJOIN(" ", 1, A1, B1)
Shortcut to insert functions:
Ctrl + F2→ Use Text functions section
All features are nearly identical to Excel! 🐧✅
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ❌ Forgetting to include spaces or separators
- ❌ Using
+instead of&for text (only&works) - ❌ Mixing data types without formatting
- ❌ Combining cells with inconsistent or blank values
- ❌ Forgetting to use
TEXT()for formatting numbers/dates
✅ Always preview combined results to ensure consistency!
FAQs
How do I combine two cells into one in Excel?
Use =A1 & B1 or =CONCATENATE(A1, B1) to join their contents.
Can I add a space or punctuation between cells?
Yes! Use =A1 & " " & B1 or add any character you want between quotes.
What’s the difference between CONCATENATE and TEXTJOIN?TEXTJOIN supports delimiters and can skip blanks. It’s more advanced than CONCATENATE.
Can I combine cells across sheets?
Absolutely! Reference like: =Sheet1!A1 & " " & Sheet2!B1
Will formulas auto-update if the original cells change?
Yes, combined cells will reflect changes in source cells instantly.
Can I combine more than two cells?
Yes—use =A1 & B1 & C1 or =TEXTJOIN(" ", TRUE, A1:C1)
✅ Final Thoughts on How to Combine Two Cells in Excel
Learning how to combine two cells in Excel is a game-changer for simplifying your data, saving time, and making your spreadsheets more dynamic. 🧠 Whether you’re working on names, contact lists, labels, or calculated fields, the options—from & to TEXTJOIN()—give you powerful control over how your content looks and behaves.
Best of all, it works seamlessly across Windows, macOS, and Ubuntu, so no matter where you’re working, you’re just one formula away from a more organized spreadsheet. 💼🚀
Complete List of Windows Keyboard Shortcuts
If you need help for Windows, you can find a whole list of all keyboard shortcuts here.
https://keyboard-shortcuts.org/
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