How to Merge Two Columns in Excel: 5 Simple Methods

Organizing data efficiently is crucial when working with spreadsheets, and Excel offers various methods to streamline this process. One common task is merging two columns to consolidate information. Whether you need to combine names, addresses, or any textual data, mastering the techniques to merge columns in Excel can significantly enhance your data management skills.

This guide will walk you through five straightforward methods to merge columns in Excel. Each method caters to different scenarios and levels of complexity, ensuring you have the right tool for any task. Let’s explore these techniques step-by-step to help you become more proficient in Excel.

Method 1: Combining Columns Using the Ampersand (&) Operator

The ampersand (&) operator is a quick and direct way to merge columns in Excel by concatenating text strings from different cells.

Steps:

1. Select the First Cell for Merged Data: Choose the cell where you want the merged content to appear. For instance, if you are merging data from columns A and B starting from row 2, select cell C2.
2. Enter the Ampersand Formula: In the selected cell, type the formula using the ampersand operator. The basic syntax is =Cell1&"separator"&Cell2.
   • To merge cells A2 and B2 with a space in between, use the formula: =A2&" "&B2.
   • To use a comma and a space as a separator, use: =A2&", "&B2.
   • Replace A2 and B2 with the actual cells you wish to combine.
3. Press Enter: Excel will execute the formula, displaying the merged text in the cell.

Alt text: Merging two columns in Excel using the ampersand operator, showing formula input and resulting combined names.

4. Apply to Other Rows (Fill Handle): To merge data in subsequent rows, click on the fill handle (the small square at the bottom-right of the selected cell) and drag it down. This will copy the formula to the cells below, automatically adjusting cell references for each row.

Example: If cell A2 contains “John” and cell B2 contains “Doe”, applying the formula =A2&" "&B2 in cell C2 will result in “John Doe”.

Alt text: Example of ampersand merge in Excel, showing original columns with first and last names and the combined column with full names.

Method 2: Using the CONCAT Function to Merge Columns

The CONCAT function is another efficient way to combine text from multiple columns. It offers a more structured approach, especially when merging several columns or adding multiple separators.

Steps:

1. Choose the Output Cell: Select the cell where you want the merged text to appear.
2. Input the CONCAT Formula: In the selected cell, enter the CONCAT formula. The syntax is =CONCAT(Cell1, "separator", Cell2, ...).
   • To merge cells A2 and B2 with a space, use: =CONCAT(A2, " ", B2).
   • You can add more cells and separators as needed, e.g., =CONCAT(A2, ", ", B2, " - ", C2).
3. Press Enter and Fill Down: Press Enter to apply the formula. Use the fill handle to copy the formula down to merge data in other rows.

Alt text: Demonstrating the CONCAT function in Excel for merging columns, highlighting formula input and merged output.

Tip: For older versions of Excel, you might need to use CONCATENATE instead of CONCAT. Both functions perform similarly for merging columns.

Method 3: Merging Multiple Columns with TEXTJOIN

When you need to merge several columns with a consistent separator, TEXTJOIN is the ideal function. It’s particularly useful for creating lists or combining data from a range of cells into a single cell.

Scenario: Imagine you have a list of addresses split across multiple columns (Street, City, State, Zip Code) and you want to combine them into a single, comma-separated address column.

Steps:

1. Select the Cell for Combined Data: Choose the cell where you want the complete merged text to be placed.

2. Enter the TEXTJOIN Formula: Input the TEXTJOIN function. The syntax is =TEXTJOIN("delimiter", ignore_empty, Cell1, [Cell2], ...).

   • delimiter: The character or string you want to use as a separator (e.g., “, “, “, “, “-“, ” – “).
   • ignore_empty: TRUE to ignore empty cells in the range, FALSE to include the delimiter for empty cells.
   • Cell1, [Cell2], ...: The cells or ranges you want to merge.

   For example, to merge cells A2 through C2 with a comma and space, ignoring empty cells, use:

   =TEXTJOIN(", ", TRUE, A2:C2)

3. Press Enter and Apply: Press Enter to execute the formula and then use the fill handle to apply it to other rows.

Alt text: Using TEXTJOIN in Excel to merge multiple columns with a comma separator, showing the formula and combined address output.

Note: The TEXTJOIN function is available in Excel 2019 and later versions, including Microsoft 365.

Method 4: Quick Column Merging with Flash Fill

Flash Fill is a smart and automated feature in Excel that recognizes patterns in your data and completes the task for you without needing formulas. It’s incredibly useful for quickly merging columns based on examples you provide.

Steps:

1. Manually Create the First Merged Entry: In the column next to your data, manually type the merged value as you want it to appear in the first row. For example, if you’re combining first and last names in columns A and B, in cell C2, type the full name as “Firstname Lastname”.
2. Initiate Flash Fill: Start typing the merged value in the cell directly below (e.g., C3). Excel will likely recognize the pattern and display a preview of the filled data for the rest of the column.
3. Accept Flash Fill Suggestions: If the preview looks correct, press Enter to accept the Flash Fill suggestions. If not, continue typing a couple more examples to help Excel learn the pattern.

Alt text: Demonstrating Flash Fill in Excel for merging columns, showing manual entry of first combined name and automatic pattern recognition for subsequent rows.

Tip: Ensure Flash Fill is enabled in Excel by going to Data > Flash Fill or Home > Fill > Flash Fill.

Limitations of Flash Fill

While Flash Fill is convenient, it has limitations:

• Static Results: Flash Fill results are not dynamic. If you change the original data, the merged values will not automatically update.
• Row-Based Operation: Merged data must be in the same rows as the source columns and usually directly adjacent.
• Pattern Dependent: Flash Fill relies on recognizing clear patterns. Inconsistent data may lead to incorrect results.
• No Error Handling: It processes data as it is, so it’s important to clean your data beforehand.

Method 5: Advanced Column Merging with Power Query

For more complex merging tasks, especially with large datasets or when you need to perform additional data transformations, Power Query is a powerful tool within Excel.

Advantages of Power Query:

• Handles Large Datasets: Power Query can efficiently process and merge large volumes of data without performance issues.
• Dynamic Updates: If the source data changes, Power Query queries can be refreshed to update the merged results automatically.
• Non-Destructive Operations: Power Query operations are non-destructive, meaning your original data remains unchanged.
• Data Transformation Capabilities: You can combine merging with other data cleaning and transformation steps like filtering, formatting, and more, all within Power Query.

To learn more about the extensive capabilities of Power Query, explore resources like this comprehensive guide.

Download the Free Practice Workbook

Ready to put these methods into practice? Download our free practice workbook and work alongside this guide. You’ll gain hands-on experience with:

• Formula Practice: Using TEXTJOIN, CONCAT, and the ampersand operator to merge columns.
• Real-World Scenarios: Learning to merge and clean data in practical situations.
• Efficiency Tips: Discovering shortcuts and techniques to speed up your column merging tasks.

📥 Download the Workbook Now and start mastering column merging in Excel today! Perfect for all Excel users, from beginners to advanced.

Published on: November 29, 2024

Last modified: November 29, 2024

Category: Excel

Tagged as: combine cells in excel, combine columns in excel, How To Merge Two Columns In Excel