How do I combine two columns in Excel without losing data?

Use a formula such as =A2&" "&B2 in a new column, then paste the results as values. Merge Cells would keep only the left value.

How do I combine two columns with a space or comma?

Put the separator in quotes between the cells: =A2&" "&B2 for a space, =A2&", "&B2 for a comma.

Why does my combined date show a number?

Excel stores dates as numbers. Use TEXT(date, "dd/mm/yyyy") inside the formula.

How do I combine two columns into one long column?

Use =VSTACK(A2:A50, B2:B50) or =TOCOL(A2:B50, 1) in Microsoft 365.

How to combine two columns in Excel

By the Analistable team · Updated 2026-10-07 · 2 min read

In an empty column, enter =A2&" "&B2 and fill it down, then copy the column and Paste Special → Values so you can delete the originals. =TEXTJOIN(" ", TRUE, A2:B2) does the same and skips blanks. For a no-formula option, type the first combined value and press Ctrl+E (Flash Fill). Don't use Merge Cells — it keeps only the left value.

Part of our guide: How to merge cells, columns and text in Excel

Formula options

Combining First name (A) and Last name (B)
Formula	Result	Notes
=A2&" "&B2	Ada Lovelace	Every version
=CONCAT(A2, " ", B2)	Ada Lovelace	Excel 2019 and later
=TEXTJOIN(" ", TRUE, A2:B2)	Ada Lovelace	Skips empty cells; Excel 2019+
=B2&", "&A2	Lovelace, Ada	Any order, any separator

Step by step

Insert an empty column next to the data (right-click the column letter → Insert).
In the first row, enter =A2&" "&B2.
Double-click the fill handle (the small square at the cell's corner) to fill down.
Select the new column, copy it, and choose Paste Special → Values (Ctrl+Alt+V, then V, Enter).
Delete columns A and B if you no longer need them.

Step 4 matters: while the column contains formulas, deleting A or B turns every result into #REF!.

Dates and numbers lose their format

Combining a date gives its serial number: “Invoice 46028” instead of “Invoice 06/01/2026”. Wrap dates and numbers in TEXT with the format you want:

="Invoice "&A2&" – "&TEXT(B2, "dd/mm/yyyy")&" – "&TEXT(C2, "£#,##0.00")

Flash Fill (no formula)

Type the combined value for the first row (“Ada Lovelace”), press Enter, then press Ctrl+E. Excel fills the rest by example. It's static — results don't update if the names change — and it can guess wrong on irregular data, so scan the result.

Power Query: Merge Columns

For data you refresh regularly, load it with Data → From Table/Range, select both columns (Ctrl+click), and choose Transform → Merge Columns. Pick a separator and a name for the new column. The source columns are replaced by the merged one, and the step repeats on every refresh.

Combine a whole column into one cell

To turn a column of values into one comma-separated cell, use =TEXTJOIN(", ", TRUE, A2:A100). To stack two columns into one long column instead, use =VSTACK(A2:A50, B2:B50) or =TOCOL(A2:B50, 1) (which skips blanks).

Merging cells and combining their text are different things — see merging cells, columns and text.

Frequently asked questions

How do I combine two columns in Excel without losing data?: Use a formula such as =A2&" "&B2 in a new column, then paste the results as values. Merge Cells would keep only the left value.
How do I combine two columns with a space or comma?: Put the separator in quotes between the cells: =A2&" "&B2 for a space, =A2&", "&B2 for a comma.
Why does my combined date show a number?: Excel stores dates as numbers. Use TEXT(date, "dd/mm/yyyy") inside the formula.
How do I combine two columns into one long column?: Use =VSTACK(A2:A50, B2:B50) or =TOCOL(A2:B50, 1) in Microsoft 365.