How to Use the CONCATENATE Function in Microsoft Excel

The CONCATENATE function is used to join the contents of multiple cells. For example, if you have a worksheet with first names in one column and last names in another column, you can use the CONCATENATE function to join the first and last names into one column. To use this handy function, follow these three steps.

This feature works the same in all modern versions of Microsoft Excel: 2010, 2013, and 2016.

1. On the Formulas tab, in the Function Library group, click the Insert Function command.
2. In the Insert Function dialog box:
   • Search on "CONCATENATE" or, in the Or select a category drop-down box, select Text.
   • Under Select a function, select CONCATENATE.
   • Click OK.
3. In the Function Arguments dialog box:
   • In the Text1 data entry field, enter the first text field or the cell in which it is located.
   • In the Text2 data entry field, enter the first text field or the cell in which it is located.
   • Etc. (New fields appear when you use the bottom field.)
   • Click OK.

Here are some things to know about the CONCATENATE function:

1. You can join up to 255 text strings.
2. The text string can include text, numbers, and cell references.
3. You can include text not found in the worksheet by adding it via the Function Arguments dialog box (or directly into the formula). For example, if you have a worksheet with city names in one column and state names in another column, and wish to join them into one column, you can add a comma and space (", ") between the two.