How to merge cells, columns and text in Excel
By the Analistable team · Updated · 3 min read
Merge & Center joins cells into one big cell but keeps only the upper-left value. To combine the *contents* of cells or columns, use a formula: =A2&" "&B2, =CONCAT(A2," ",B2) or =TEXTJOIN(" ",TRUE,A2:C2), then copy and Paste Values. For headings, Center Across Selection looks like a merge without breaking sorting or filtering.
Merging cells vs combining their contents
People say “merge” for two different things:
- Merging cells is formatting: several cells become one larger cell. Excel keeps only the value in the upper-left cell and deletes the rest. See how to merge cells in Excel.
- Combining contents joins the values: “Ada” and “Lovelace” become “Ada Lovelace” in one cell. This needs a formula or Flash Fill. See combining two columns and combining text.
Formulas for combining text
| Formula | Result for A2=Ada, B2=Lovelace | Available in |
|---|---|---|
| =A2&" "&B2 | Ada Lovelace | All versions, Google Sheets |
| =CONCATENATE(A2," ",B2) | Ada Lovelace | All versions, Google Sheets |
| =CONCAT(A2," ",B2) | Ada Lovelace | Excel 2019+, 365 (Sheets: two values only) |
| =TEXTJOIN(" ",TRUE,A2:B2) | Ada Lovelace | Excel 2019+, 365, Google Sheets |
TEXTJOIN is the most practical: it takes a range, a delimiter and an option to skip empty cells, so you don't get double spaces where a middle name is missing.
Keep the result, drop the formula
- Fill the formula down the helper column.
- Copy the column, then Paste Special → Values (Ctrl+Alt+V, then V).
- Delete the original columns if you no longer need them.
Flash Fill: combining by example
Type the combined value for the first row, start typing the second, and press Ctrl+E (Data → Flash Fill). Excel spots the pattern and fills the column. It is quick but static: it won't update if the source cells change.
Merge & Center and its alternatives
Merged cells break sorting, filtering, copying ranges and many formulas. For headings over several columns, use Center Across Selection (Format Cells → Alignment → Horizontal) instead: the text looks centred across the columns, but every cell stays separate. See Merge & Center in Excel and Center Across Selection.
The same in Google Sheets
Google Sheets merges cells with Format → Merge cells, and combines text with &, CONCATENATE, TEXTJOIN and JOIN. CONCAT accepts only two values. See merging cells in Google Sheets and CONCATENATE in Google Sheets.
Worked example: building full names and labels
| First | Middle | Last | Formula | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ada | Lovelace | =A2&" "&B2&" "&C2 | Ada Lovelace (double space) | |
| Ada | Lovelace | =TEXTJOIN(" ",TRUE,A2:C2) | Ada Lovelace | |
| Grace | Brewster | Hopper | =TEXTJOIN(" ",TRUE,A3:C3) | Grace Brewster Hopper |
| Grace | Brewster | Hopper | =C3&", "&LEFT(A3)&"." | Hopper, G. |
TEXTJOIN's second argument (TRUE) skips the empty middle name, which is why it's the safest default when some parts may be missing.
Splitting is the reverse
If you need to undo a combine — split “Ada Lovelace” back into two columns — use Data → Text to Columns with a space delimiter, Flash Fill (Ctrl+E) by example, or =TEXTSPLIT(A2, " ") in Microsoft 365. Keeping the original columns and combining only in a helper column avoids the problem altogether.
Common mistakes
- Deleting the source columns while the combined column still contains formulas — every result becomes #REF!. Paste as values first.
- Combining dates and numbers without TEXT(), which shows serial numbers like 46028 instead of dates.
- Merging cells in a data range that you'll later sort or filter.
- Using CONCAT in Google Sheets with more than two values — it only accepts two there.
Which method should you use?
- A heading over several columns → Center Across Selection.
- Two columns into one, permanently → & or TEXTJOIN, then Paste Special → Values.
- A quick one-off on clean data → Flash Fill (Ctrl+E).
- Data you refresh every month → Power Query Merge Columns.
Every guide in this topic
- How to combine text from multiple cells in Excel
Combine text from two or more cells in Excel: &, CONCAT and TEXTJOIN, separators and line breaks, skipping blanks, formatted numbers, and joining by condition.
- How to combine two columns in Excel
Combine two columns in Excel into one without losing data: the & operator, CONCAT, TEXTJOIN, Flash Fill and Power Query Merge Columns, plus dates and numbers.
- How to concatenate in Google Sheets
Combine text in Google Sheets with &, CONCATENATE, CONCAT, TEXTJOIN and JOIN: differences, separators, skipping blanks and filling a whole column.
- How to merge cells in Excel
Merge cells in Excel with Merge & Center, Merge Across or Merge Cells, unmerge them, find merged cells, and keep every value by combining the text first.
- How to merge cells in Google Sheets
Merge cells in Google Sheets horizontally, vertically or all at once, unmerge them, and combine the contents of cells without losing any data.
- How to use Center Across Selection in Excel
Use Center Across Selection to centre a heading over several columns without merging cells: steps, shortcut workarounds, limits and when to use it.
- How to use Merge & Center in Excel
How Merge & Center works in Excel, shortcuts, why it's greyed out, the data it deletes, and Center Across Selection as the safer alternative for headings.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I merge cells in Excel without losing data?
- Combine the values first with =TEXTJOIN(" ",TRUE,A1:C1), paste the result as values, then merge or use Center Across Selection. Merge & Center alone keeps only the upper-left value.
- How do I combine two columns in Excel?
- In a new column, enter =A2&" "&B2 (or TEXTJOIN), fill it down, then copy and Paste Special → Values.
- Why can't I sort a range with merged cells?
- Excel needs every row in a sort range to have the same cell structure. Unmerge the cells, or use Center Across Selection for headings.
- What's the difference between CONCAT and TEXTJOIN?
- CONCAT joins values with nothing in between unless you add separators yourself. TEXTJOIN adds a delimiter between every value and can skip empty cells.