5 Easy Steps to Merge 2 Columns in Excel

Uninterested in manually copying and pasting knowledge from a number of columns right into a single one? Uncover a seamless resolution to merge columns in Microsoft Excel, saving you effort and time. With the Merge Columns function, you may effortlessly mix knowledge from completely different columns right into a consolidated column, eliminating the necessity for tedious and error-prone handbook work. Furthermore, this function means that you can specify varied choices to customise the merged knowledge, guaranteeing it meets your particular necessities.

To unlock the facility of the Merge Columns function, navigate to the Information tab within the Excel ribbon and find the Information Instruments group. Click on on the Merge icon and comply with the intuitive steps to pick out the columns you want to merge. Excel gives flexibility in selecting the way to mix the information. You possibly can choose to separate the merged values with a delimiter of your selection, reminiscent of a comma, house, or every other character. Moreover, you’ve gotten the choice to disregard clean cells or skip hidden cells through the merging course of, guaranteeing that solely the related knowledge is included.

The Merge Columns function empowers you to reinforce the effectivity and accuracy of your knowledge administration. By automating the duty of merging columns, you may decrease the danger of errors which will come up from handbook knowledge manipulation. Moreover, this function means that you can create consolidated experiences or summaries by combining knowledge from a number of sources, enabling you to realize invaluable insights and make knowledgeable choices. Embrace the Merge Columns function and expertise a transformative enchancment in your Excel workflow.

Combining Information from Two Columns

Merging columns in Excel is a strong approach that means that you can mix knowledge from a number of sources right into a single, cohesive column. That is significantly helpful when it’s essential to consolidate info from completely different tables or worksheets right into a single, complete view. There are a number of approaches to merging columns in Excel, and the very best methodology will depend on the particular necessities of your knowledge.

Utilizing the Formulation Bar

Some of the easy methods to merge columns is through the use of the formulation bar. This methodology entails making a formulation inside one of many merged cells that references the values from the 2 authentic columns. Here is an instance of how to do that:

1. Choose the cell the place you need the merged knowledge to look.

2. Within the formulation bar, enter the next formulation: =A1&” “&B1

3. Press Enter.

The formulation will concatenate the values from cells A1 and B1 into the present cell, with an area character in between. If you wish to merge knowledge from a number of cells in every column, you should use further ampersand characters to concatenate the values collectively. For instance, the next formulation would merge the values from cells A1, B1, C1, and D1 right into a single cell:

=A1&” “&B1&” “&C1&” “&D1

Utilizing the CONCATENATE Perform

Another choice for merging columns is to make use of the CONCATENATE perform. The CONCATENATE perform takes a number of textual content values as arguments and combines them right into a single worth. To make use of the CONCATENATE perform to merge columns, comply with these steps:

1. Choose the cell the place you need the merged knowledge to look.

2. Within the formulation bar, enter the next formulation: =CONCATENATE(A1, ” “, B1)

3. Press Enter.

The CONCATENATE perform will concatenate the values from cells A1 and B1 into the present cell, with an area character in between.

Utilizing Energy Question

Energy Question is a strong instrument in Excel that can be utilized to rework and merge knowledge from a number of sources. To merge columns utilizing Energy Question, comply with these steps:

1. Choose the information you wish to merge.

2. Go to the Information tab within the Excel ribbon.

3. Click on on the “Get & Rework” button.

4. Within the Energy Question Editor, choose the 2 columns you wish to merge.

5. Go to the “Rework” tab within the Energy Question Editor.

6. Click on on the “Merge Columns” button.

7. Within the Merge Columns dialog field, choose the next choices:

Choice	Description
Merge as new column	Creates a brand new column that accommodates the merged knowledge.
Delimiter	The character that separates the values within the merged column.
Prefix	The textual content that’s added to the start of the merged column.
Suffix	The textual content that’s added to the tip of the merged column.

8. Click on on the “OK” button.

Energy Question will create a brand new column that accommodates the merged knowledge from the 2 chosen columns.

Merging Textual content with the CONCAT Perform

The CONCAT perform is a strong instrument that means that you can merge textual content from a number of cells right into a single cell. This may be helpful for a wide range of functions, reminiscent of creating full names from first and final names or combining addresses from completely different columns. The CONCAT perform takes two or extra textual content strings as arguments and returns a single textual content string that’s the concatenation of the arguments. The syntax of the CONCAT perform is as follows:

=CONCAT(text1, text2, …, textn)

the place:

text1, text2, …, textn are the textual content strings that you just wish to concatenate.

For instance, the next formulation concatenates the primary and final names in columns A and B to create a full title in column C:

=CONCAT(A2, ” “, B2)

The next desk reveals the outcomes of utilizing the CONCAT perform to concatenate textual content from completely different columns:

Column A	Column B	Column C
John	Doe	John Doe
Jane	Smith	Jane Smith
Mary	Jones	Mary Jones

Merging Textual content and Numbers

Merging textual content and numbers in Excel is a standard job that can be utilized to mix knowledge from completely different sources or to create customized formatting. To merge textual content and numbers, you should use the CONCATENATE perform.

The CONCATENATE perform takes two or extra arguments and returns a single textual content string that’s the results of becoming a member of the arguments. The arguments may be textual content, numbers, or different capabilities that return a textual content string.

For instance, the next formulation will merge the textual content string “Howdy” with the quantity 123:

Formulation End result

=CONCATENATE(“Howdy”, 123)

Hello123

You too can use the CONCATENATE perform to merge a number of columns of information.

For instance, the next formulation will merge the information within the A and B columns:

Formulation End result

=CONCATENATE(A1, B1)

[Value in A1][Value in B1]

The CONCATENATE perform is a flexible instrument that can be utilized to merge textual content and numbers in a wide range of methods. By understanding the way to use the CONCATENATE perform, it can save you time and enhance the accuracy of your knowledge.

Utilizing the & Operator

On this methodology, we concatenate the values of the 2 columns utilizing the ampersand (&) operator. The result’s a single column that accommodates the mixed values.

For instance we have now the next knowledge in two columns, Column A and Column B:

Column A	Column B
John	Doe
Jane	Smith
Peter	Parker

To merge these two columns utilizing the & operator, we are able to use the next formulation in a 3rd column, say Column C:

=A1&" "&B1

This formulation concatenates the values from Column A and Column B, and provides an area between them. The outcome could be:

This methodology is straightforward and simple, nevertheless it has a limitation: it would not enable for any further formatting or customization of the merged knowledge. For instance, should you wished to vary the font or shade of the merged knowledge, you would need to do it manually.

Merging Columns with Completely different Information Varieties

When merging columns with completely different knowledge varieties, Excel sometimes treats the information as textual content. Nonetheless, you may specify the information kind of the merged column to take care of the unique knowledge varieties. Here is how:

1. Choose the columns to be merged.

2. Go to the “Information” tab within the Excel ribbon.

3. Click on the “Merge & Heart” button within the “Information Instruments” group.

4. Within the “Merge & Heart” dialog field, choose the “Customized” choice.

5. Within the “Customized” dialog field, choose the next choices:

Merge Kind:	Merge cells throughout choice
Merge throughout:	Whole row
Information Operation:	Select the information kind of the merged column (e.g., Textual content, Quantity, Date)

After you have chosen the specified choices, click on “OK” to merge the columns. The information within the merged column can be transformed to the required knowledge kind.

Ignoring Clean Cells within the Merge

When merging two columns, chances are you’ll not wish to embrace the clean cells. This may be achieved through the use of the IFERROR perform. IFERROR checks if a cell accommodates an error, and if that’s the case, returns a specified worth. On this case, we are able to use IFERROR to examine if a cell is clean, and if that’s the case, return an empty string.

To disregard clean cells within the merge, use the next steps:

Choose the cells that you just wish to merge.
Click on on the "Information" tab.
Click on on the "Merge & Heart" button.
Within the "Merge & Heart" dialog field, choose the "Ignore clean cells" checkbox.
Click on on the "OK" button.

Right here is an instance of the way to use the IFERROR perform to disregard clean cells within the merge:

Instance

Column A	Column B	Merge
Worth A	Worth B	Worth AValue B
Worth A		Worth A
Worth A	Worth C	Worth AValue C
	Worth D

On this instance, the IFERROR perform is used to examine if the cells in Column B are clean. If a cell is clean, the IFERROR perform returns an empty string. Because of this, the clean cells will not be included within the merge.

The next desk reveals the outcomes of the merge:

Column A	Column B	Merge
Worth A	Worth B	Worth AValue B
Worth A		Worth A
Worth A	Worth C	Worth AValue C
	Worth D	Worth D

Concatenating A number of Columns

If it’s essential to merge greater than two columns, you should use the CONCATENATE perform. This perform takes two or extra textual content strings as arguments and returns a single textual content string that’s the concatenation of the arguments. For instance, the next formulation concatenates the contents of cells A1, B1, and C1 right into a single cell, D1:

=CONCATENATE(A1, B1, C1)

You too can use the & operator to concatenate textual content strings. The & operator is equal to the CONCATENATE perform. For instance, the next formulation is equal to the earlier formulation:

=A1 & B1 & C1

To concatenate a number of columns right into a single column, you should use the next steps:

Create a brand new column in your worksheet.
Within the first cell of the brand new column, enter the next formulation:
=CONCATENATE(A1, B1, C1)
Press Enter.
Choose the cell that accommodates the formulation.
Drag the fill deal with all the way down to the tip of the column.
The formulation can be copied to the remaining cells within the column, and the contents of the required columns can be concatenated into the brand new column.
If it’s essential to concatenate greater than three columns, you may add further arguments to the CONCATENATE perform or use the & operator.

Right here is an instance of the way to use the CONCATENATE perform to concatenate a number of columns:

Column A	Column B	Column C	Column D
John	Doe	123 Predominant Road	=CONCATENATE(A2, ” “, B2, “, “, C2)
Jane	Smith	456 Elm Road	=CONCATENATE(A3, ” “, B3, “, “, C3)
Invoice	Jones	789 Oak Road	=CONCATENATE(A4, ” “, B4, “, “, C4)

On this instance, the CONCATENATE perform is used to concatenate the contents of columns A, B, and C right into a single cell in column D. The ensuing textual content string contains the primary title, final title, and tackle of every individual.

Formatting the Merged Information

After you have merged the 2 columns, chances are you’ll must format the merged knowledge to make sure it’s per the remainder of your spreadsheet. Listed here are the steps to format the merged knowledge:

1. Choose the Merged Cells

Use your mouse to pick out the cells that you’ve merged.

2. Select the Formatting Choices

From the Residence tab within the Excel ribbon, choose the suitable formatting choices in your knowledge. This may increasingly embrace altering the font, dimension, shade, alignment, or quantity format.

3. Apply the Formatting

After you have chosen the specified formatting choices, click on the Apply button to use the adjustments to the merged knowledge.

4. Regulate the Row Top or Column Width

If obligatory, you may alter the row peak or column width to accommodate the merged knowledge. Choose the merged cells and use the mouse to pull the borders of the row or column till it reaches the specified dimension.

5. Use Textual content Wrapping

If the merged knowledge is just too lengthy to suit throughout the cell, you should use textual content wrapping to show it throughout a number of strains. Choose the merged cells and click on the Wrap Textual content button on the Residence tab.

6. Merge and Heart

To middle the merged knowledge throughout the cell, choose the merged cells and click on the Merge & Heart button on the Residence tab.

7. Use Conditional Formatting

Conditional formatting means that you can robotically format the merged knowledge primarily based on sure standards. Choose the merged cells and use the Conditional Formatting instrument on the Residence tab to use conditional formatting guidelines.

8. Use a Desk

For a extra structured and customizable format, you may convert the merged knowledge right into a desk. Choose the merged cells and click on the Insert > Desk button on the Residence tab. This can create a desk with the merged knowledge because the heading.

Formatting Choice	Description
Font	Adjustments the font of the merged knowledge
Measurement	Adjustments the scale of the merged knowledge
Shade	Adjustments the colour of the merged knowledge
Alignment	Aligns the merged knowledge throughout the cell
Quantity Format	Applies a particular quantity format to the merged knowledge (e.g., foreign money, proportion, and so on.)

Troubleshooting Merged Column Errors

In case your merged column is exhibiting errors, listed below are some frequent troubleshooting steps to resolve them:

1. Guarantee Information Compatibility: Confirm that the information being merged is suitable. Incompatible knowledge codecs (e.g., textual content and numbers) can disrupt the merging course of.

2. Verify Cell Referencing: Double-check the cell references used within the merge formulation. Incorrect cell references can result in inaccurate merges.

3. Clear Hidden Cells: Typically, hidden cells intrude with merging. Unhide any hidden cells and take a look at merging once more.

4. Take away Invalid Characters: Non-printable characters, reminiscent of areas or line breaks, can disrupt merging. Examine the information for any such characters and take away them.

5. Confirm Vary Consistency: Make sure that the vary of cells being merged is adjoining and contiguous. Overlapping or non-contiguous ranges may cause merging errors.

6. Use the Merge Cells Command: Alternatively, use the built-in “Merge Cells” command on the Residence tab. This function is much less vulnerable to errors than handbook merging.

7. Convert Formulation to Values: If the merged columns comprise formulation, convert them to static values earlier than merging. Formulation can intrude with the merging course of.

8. Verify Regional Settings: Regional settings can have an effect on how knowledge is interpreted. Make sure that Excel’s regional settings align together with your knowledge format.

9. Errors in Merging Information from A number of Workbooks: If you’re merging knowledge from completely different workbooks, confirm that the information codecs and column headers in each workbooks are constant. Inconsistent codecs or headers may cause merging errors.

Superior Merging Methods

10. Merge A number of Columns Utilizing Energy Question

Energy Question is a strong Excel instrument that means that you can manipulate knowledge and carry out complicated transformations. You should use Energy Question to merge a number of columns by following these steps:

Choose the columns you wish to merge.
Click on on the “Information” tab after which “Get & Rework Information.”
Within the Energy Question Editor, click on on the “Merge Columns” button.
Choose the “Delimiter” you wish to use to separate the merged values (e.g., comma, house).
Click on on the “OK” button.

Your chosen columns will now be merged right into a single column. Energy Question additionally gives superior choices for dealing with duplicate values and merging columns of various knowledge varieties.

Superior Merging Methods

1. Merge Information Throughout A number of Rows

To merge knowledge throughout a number of rows, use the “CONCATENATE” perform. This perform takes a number of ranges as arguments and combines them right into a single textual content string.

2. Merge Information with Conditional Formatting

Conditional formatting means that you can apply formatting guidelines primarily based on sure circumstances. You should use conditional formatting to merge knowledge that meets particular standards.

3. Merge Information Utilizing VBA Macros

VBA macros are highly effective instruments that assist you to automate duties in Excel. You should use VBA macros to merge knowledge from a number of cells or ranges.

4. Merge Information with PivotTables

PivotTables are interactive tables that assist you to summarize and analyze knowledge. You should use PivotTables to merge knowledge from a number of sources.

5. Merge Information with a Formulation

You should use a formulation to merge knowledge from a number of cells right into a single cell. For instance, the next formulation merges the contents of cells A1 and B1:

6. Merge Information Utilizing Flash Fill

Flash Fill is a function in Excel that implies patterns and fills knowledge primarily based in your enter. You should use Flash Fill to merge knowledge that follows a constant sample.

7. Merge Information with Textual content to Columns

The Textual content to Columns function means that you can convert textual content into columns. You should use this function to merge knowledge that’s saved as textual content in a single cell.

8. Merge Information Utilizing Energy Question

Energy Question is a strong instrument that means that you can remodel and manipulate knowledge. You should use Energy Question to merge knowledge from a number of sources.

9. Merge Information with Energy Pivot

Energy Pivot is an information modeling instrument that means that you can create knowledge fashions. You should use Energy Pivot to merge knowledge from a number of tables.

How To Merge 2 Columns In Excel

Merging two columns in Excel is a straightforward course of that may be accomplished in a couple of steps. Listed here are the steps:

1. Choose the 2 columns that you just wish to merge.
2. Click on the “Information” tab within the Excel ribbon.
3. Click on the “Merge & Heart” button within the “Information Instruments” group.
4. A dialog field will seem. Choose the “Merge Throughout” choice and click on “OK.”

The 2 columns will now be merged right into a single column. The information from the 2 columns can be concatenated, with an area separating the values.

Folks additionally ask about How To Merge 2 Columns In Excel

How do I merge two columns in Excel with out shedding knowledge?

To merge two columns in Excel with out shedding knowledge, you should use the CONCATENATE perform. The CONCATENATE perform means that you can mix the values from two or extra cells right into a single cell. Listed here are the steps:

1. Choose a clean cell subsequent to the 2 columns that you just wish to merge.
2. Kind the next formulation into the cell: =CONCATENATE(A1, ” “, B1)
3. Press Enter.

The CONCATENATE perform will mix the values from cells A1 and B1 into the cell that you just chosen. The ” ” character between the 2 cell references is used so as to add an area between the values.

How do I merge two columns in Excel primarily based on a standard worth?

To merge two columns in Excel primarily based on a standard worth, you should use the VLOOKUP perform. The VLOOKUP perform means that you can search for a worth in a single column and return a corresponding worth from one other column. Listed here are the steps:

1. Choose a clean cell subsequent to the 2 columns that you just wish to merge.
2. Kind the next formulation into the cell: =VLOOKUP(A1, B:C, 2, FALSE)
3. Press Enter.

The VLOOKUP perform will search for the worth in cell A1 within the vary B:C. If an identical worth is discovered, the VLOOKUP perform will return the worth from the second column within the vary (column C). If an identical worth just isn’t discovered, the VLOOKUP perform will return an error.