The CONCAT function in Excel offers a straightforward way to combine text strings, cell contents, and ranges into a single result. Whether you need to merge names, build addresses, or create custom text strings, CONCAT provides the flexibility to handle these tasks efficiently. In this tutorial, you’ll learn exactly how to use CONCAT, understand its advantages over CONCATENATE, and see practical examples for real-world applications.

How to Use the CONCAT Function in Excel

Let’s start with the basic syntax and work through a practical example.

Basic Syntax

CONCAT accepts multiple text strings or cell references as arguments:

=CONCAT(text1, [text2], …)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Select Your Destination Cell

• Click the cell where you want your combined result to appear
• This will be where your concatenated text displays

1. Enter the Formula

• Type an equals sign (=) to start the formula
• Type CONCAT followed by an opening parenthesis
• Example: =CONCAT(

1. Add Your Values

• Select cells or type text strings in quotation marks
• Separate each element with a comma
• Example using cells A1 and B1: =CONCAT(A1,B1)

1. Add Spaces or Delimiters

• Include text strings in quotes for spaces: =CONCAT(A1,” “,B1)

• Add other delimiters as needed: =CONCAT(A1,”-“,B1)

1. Complete the Formula

• Close the parenthesis
• Press Enter to see the result

Combining Multiple Columns with CONCAT

When working with multiple columns, CONCAT offers several approaches:

Basic Column Combination

Column A	Column B	Column C	Formula	Result
First	Middle	Last	=CONCAT(A1,B1,C1)	FirstMiddleLast
John	M.	Smith	=CONCAT(A2,” “,B2,” “,C2)	John M. Smith

Working with Ranges

For larger ranges, use this syntax:

=CONCAT(A1:C1)

This automatically combines all cells in the specified range without needing individual cell references.

CONCAT vs. CONCATENATE: Which to Choose

Understanding the differences helps you make the right choice for your needs:

Feature	CONCAT	CONCATENATE
Range Support	Yes	No
Maximum Arguments	254	255
Version Availability	Excel 2016+	All versions
Performance	Faster	Slower

When to Use Each Function

Choose CONCAT when:

• Working with ranges of cells
• Needing better performance
• Using newer Excel versions

Choose CONCATENATE when:

• Maintaining compatibility with older Excel versions
• Working with individual cells only
• Needing simpler syntax for basic combinations

Real-World Applications

Name Combinations

First Name	Last Name	Formula	Result
Jane	Doe	=CONCAT(A2,” “,B2)	Jane Doe

Address Creation

Street	City	State	Zip	Formula	Result
123 Main St	Boston	MA	02108	=CONCAT(A2,”, “,B2,”, “,C2,” “,D2)	123 Main St, Boston, MA 02108

Formula Examples and Variations

Basic Text Combination

=CONCAT(“Order #”,A2,” – “,B2)

Working with Numbers and Dates

=CONCAT(“Invoice dated “,TEXT(A2,”mm/dd/yyyy”),” for $”,TEXT(B2,”#,##0.00″))

Conditional Elements

=CONCAT(A2,IF(B2>0,” (In Stock)”,” (Out of Stock)”))

Tips for Efficient Text Combination

• Use cell references instead of hard-coded text when possible
• Create helper columns for complex combinations
• Test formulas with sample data before applying to large datasets
• Consider using Power Query for very large datasets

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