How to combine tables in Excel
By the Analistable team · Updated · 2 min read
If your tables have the same columns, stack them with =VSTACK(Table1, Table2) (structured references leave headers out) or with Power Query Append Queries. If they share a key column but hold different fields, join them with Power Query Merge Queries or an XLOOKUP column. Using real Excel tables (Ctrl+T) makes every method grow automatically as rows are added.
Part of our guide: How to combine Excel sheets into one
Why use Excel tables first
Select the data and press Ctrl+T to make it a table, then give it a name in Table Design → Table Name. Tables expand when you add rows, and formulas refer to them by name — Sales[Amount] instead of C2:C500 — so a combined result never misses new rows. This is the main advantage over plain ranges.
| Reference | Means |
|---|---|
| Sales | All data rows of the Sales table (no header) |
| Sales[#Headers] | The header row |
| Sales[#All] | Header and data rows |
| Sales[Amount] | The Amount column's data |
Stack tables with VSTACK
=VSTACK(Jan[#Headers], Jan, Feb, Mar)This returns the header once followed by every row from three tables. Because the references are table names, rows added to Feb appear automatically. VSTACK places columns by position, so all tables need the same column order.
Stack tables with Power Query Append
- Click in the first table and choose Data → From Table/Range, then Close & Load To → Only Create Connection. Repeat for each table.
- Choose Data → Get Data → Combine Queries → Append.
- Pick Three or more tables, add each one, click OK, then Close & Load.
Append matches columns by name, so order doesn't matter. Screens and options: Power Query Append Queries.
Join tables on a key
When one table has Customers and another has Orders, combining means adding columns, not rows. Use Data → Get Data → Combine Queries → Merge, pick the key column in each table and a join kind, then expand the columns you want. A step-by-step example is in joining two tables in Excel.
Worked example: three monthly tables stacked
| Order | Product | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1001 | Desk | 420 |
| 1002 | Lamp | 65 |
| 1003 | Chair | 180 |
| 1004 | Desk | 420 |
Need every table in the workbook without listing them? Power Query can collect them all at once — see merging all Excel tables into one sheet.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I combine multiple tables into one in Excel?
- Stack them with =VSTACK(Table1, Table2, Table3) in Microsoft 365, or with Power Query's Append Queries in Excel 2016 and later.
- Can I combine tables with different columns?
- Power Query Append matches columns by name and fills missing ones with null. VSTACK needs the same column order.
- How do I join two tables in Excel by a common column?
- Use Power Query Merge Queries and choose the key column in each table, or add an XLOOKUP column.