CONCATENATE Function
Learn how to use the CONCATENATE function in Excel with Inside Excel’s step-by-step guide, examples, and practice exercises.
Syntax
=CONCATENATE(text1, text2, ...)Description
The CONCATENATE function in Excel joins two or more text strings into a single text string. This function is ideal for combining data from different cells or adding specific text to cell values. It is simple yet powerful for text manipulation and formatting tasks.
Arguments
- text1: The first text string or cell reference to concatenate. This argument is required.
- text2: The second text string or cell reference to concatenate. This argument is also required.
- …: Additional text strings or cell references to combine. You can add up to 255 items.
Return Value
The function returns a single text string that combines all the input arguments.
How to Use the CONCATENATE Function
Basic Usage: Suppose you want to combine the first name in cell A2 with the last name in cell B2.
=CONCATENATE(A2, " ", B2)This formula will return the full name with a space between the first and last names.
Combining Text with Static Values: If you have a product code in cell A1 and want to add a prefix “PROD-“:
=CONCATENATE("PROD-", A1)Using Numbers: The function can handle numbers as text. For example:
=CONCATENATE("Invoice #", 101)This will return: “Invoice #101”.
Video Tutorial
[Embed or link to a detailed video tutorial explaining the CONCATENATE function with examples.]
CONCATENATE Function Tips and Tricks
- Shortcut: Use the
&operator as a faster alternative:=A2 & " " & B2 - Newer Function: For Excel 2016 and later, use the
TEXTJOINorCONCATfunctions, which offer better flexibility. - Common Mistake: Forgetting to include spaces or separators results in values being joined directly. For example,
=CONCATENATE(A1, B1)will return “JohnDoe” instead of “John Doe” unless a space is added explicitly.
Practice Problems
- Problem 1: Combine the contents of cells B3, C3, D3 into a single text string separated by commas.
- Problem 2: Create a formula to display a phone number in the format “(123) 456-7890” using parts stored in separate cells.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I use incorrect arguments?
Excel will return a #VALUE! error if any argument is invalid. Ensure you provide text or cell references.
How can this function be combined with others?
Use CONCATENATE with functions like TEXT to format numbers or dates before combining. For example: =CONCATENATE("The date is ", TEXT(TODAY(), "dd-mmm-yyyy"))
Additional Resources
- Microsoft Documentation: Microsoft Official Documentation on CONCATENATE
