How to use CONCATENATE in Google Sheets
Learn how to combine text from multiple cells in Google Sheets using the CONCATENATE function, with syntax, examples, and formatting tips.
Quick answer
To use CONCATENATE in Google Sheets, click an empty cell, type =CONCATENATE( followed by the cells or text you want to join separated by commas, then close the parenthesis and press Enter. Add quoted spaces or punctuation between references to control spacing. The formula merges values from multiple cells into a single combined text string.
Steps at a glance
- Select the empty cell where the result should appear
- Type =CONCATENATE( to start the formula
- Click or type the cell references you want to join
- Insert quoted spaces or punctuation between references
- Close the parenthesis and press Enter
- Copy the formula down to apply it to other rows
Summary
CONCATENATE is a built-in Google Sheets function that joins text from two or more cells into one string, such as combining first and last names into a full name. It saves you from manually retyping data and keeps combined values updated automatically whenever the source cells change.
Step-by-step guide
Step 1
Open your spreadsheet and pick a destination cell
Open the Google Sheet containing the data you want to combine. Click an empty cell where you want the joined result to appear — this is often a new column next to your existing data. If you need an extra column for the result, you can add columns before starting.
Step 2
Start the CONCATENATE formula
Type =CONCATENATE( into the selected cell. Google Sheets will show a small formula hint box confirming the function name and expected arguments as you type.
Step 3
Add the cells or text you want to join
Click the first cell you want to include, such as A2, then type a comma and click the next cell, such as B2. You can mix cell references with typed text in quotation marks, for example =CONCATENATE(A2," ",B2) to join a first and last name with a space between them.
Step 4
Insert spaces or punctuation between values
Without a separator, CONCATENATE joins values with no space at all, so "John" and "Smith" become "JohnSmith". Add " " for a space, ", " for a comma, or "-" for a dash between arguments to format the output the way you want it to read.
Step 5
Close the formula and press Enter
Type a closing parenthesis after your last argument, then press Enter to run the formula. The combined text will appear in the cell, and the original source cells remain unchanged.
Step 6
Copy the formula to remaining rows
Click the filled cell, then drag the small blue square in its bottom-right corner down through the rows you want to fill. Each row automatically adjusts its cell references, so row 3 combines A3 and B3, row 4 combines A4 and B4, and so on. For very large datasets, an ARRAYFORMULA can apply the same logic to an entire column in one step.
Step 7
Convert results to static values if needed
If you plan to sort, filter, or move this data and don't want the formula recalculating, select the results, copy them, then use Paste Special > Values only to lock in the text. This is useful before you sort a table that includes concatenated names.
Why this matters
You need this when your data is split across columns — like first names, last names, or address fields — and you want one clean combined value for mail merges, labels, or reports without manually retyping every row by hand.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between CONCATENATE and the & symbol?
Both join text, but & is a shorter operator you type directly between values, like =A2&" "&B2, while CONCATENATE is a named function with the same result. They behave identically in most cases, so the choice comes down to personal preference.
Can CONCATENATE join an entire range of cells at once?
Yes. Typing =CONCATENATE(A2:A10) joins every value in that range into one string with no separators. For row-and-column ranges, values are appended across each row before moving to the next row.
Does the combined text update if I change the original cells?
Yes, as long as the result cell still contains the formula. Editing any referenced cell automatically recalculates and updates the combined output.
Can I add a line break instead of a space between joined values?
Yes. Use CHAR(10) as a separator argument, such as =CONCATENATE(A2,CHAR(10),B2), then make sure Wrap Text is turned on for the cell so the line break displays correctly.
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