To combine three columns into one in Excel, click an empty cell and type =A2&” “&B2&” “&C2, then press Enter. This joins the three cells with a space between each. Drag the fill handle down to do the same for every row.
This guide follows Microsoft’s support articles on combining text from two or more cells, the CONCAT and TEXTJOIN functions, and Flash Fill. It covers the & formula, two functions that do the same job, a no-formula option, and how to keep the result when you delete the original columns.
How to Combine Three Columns With the & Symbol
- Click the first empty cell in the column where you want the combined text, such as D2.
- Type =A2&” “&B2&” “&C2. Change the letters to match your columns.
- Press Enter.
- Click the cell again and drag the small square in its bottom-right corner down to fill the rest of the rows.
Result: Each row shows the three values joined with spaces. Microsoft describes the same pattern: type =, select a cell, then use & with a space in quotation marks before the next cell.
Want a comma instead of a space? Use “, “ in place of ” “. To go the other way and separate text into several columns, see how to split a cell in Excel.
How to Combine Columns With CONCAT
Type =CONCAT(A2,” “,B2,” “,C2) and press Enter. Microsoft says CONCAT combines text from multiple ranges or strings, using commas to separate each item and quotation marks for spaces or other text. It replaces the older CONCATENATE function, which still works for compatibility. CONCAT doesn’t add separators on its own.
How to Combine Columns With TEXTJOIN
Type =TEXTJOIN(” “,TRUE,A2:C2) and press Enter. The first part is the separator, TRUE tells Excel to skip empty cells, and the range is the cells to join. Microsoft notes this avoids extra separators when a cell is blank.
Microsoft says CONCAT and TEXTJOIN are available on Windows or Mac with Office 2019 or later, or with a Microsoft 365 subscription. If the result would be longer than 32,767 characters, both return a #VALUE! error. In older versions, use the & formula instead.
How to Combine Columns Without a Formula (Flash Fill)
- Type the combined text for the first row yourself, such as in D2, and press Enter.
- Start typing the next row. Excel shows a preview of the rest of the column.
- Press Enter to accept it.
Result: The column fills in with plain text, not formulas. Microsoft says if no preview appears, you can run it from Data > Flash Fill or press Ctrl+E.
How to Keep the Combined Text After Deleting the Old Columns
If you used a formula, the new column depends on the original columns and breaks if you delete them. First copy the combined column, then right-click and choose Paste Special > Values. Now you can delete the original columns. Flash Fill results are already plain text, so they don’t need this step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I combine more than three columns?
Yes. Add more cells to the & formula or CONCAT, or give TEXTJOIN a wider range such as A2:F2. Microsoft says TEXTJOIN accepts up to 252 text arguments. To show the combined text in a box that floats over the sheet, you can link an Excel text box to the formula cell.
Do these methods work in Excel for Mac?
Yes. Microsoft says CONCAT and TEXTJOIN work on Windows or Mac with Office 2019 or later or Microsoft 365, and its Flash Fill article includes Mac instructions. The & formula works in any version.
More Excel Guides
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- How to AutoFit columns and rows in Excel
- How to calculate percentage in Excel
- How to change the default font in Excel
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