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CONCAT Function in Excel

Joins two or more text strings into one string.

Syntax

  • =CONCAT(text1, [text2], ...)

Arguments

  • text1 (required): The first text item to join
  • text2 (optional): Additional text items to join

Examples

  • =CONCAT(A1, " ", B1) - Join first and last name with space - Result: John Smith
  • =CONCAT(A1:A5) - Join a range of cells - Result: Combined text

Excel CONCAT function documentation

  • CONCAT joins text from multiple ranges and strings into one text result.
  • Syntax: =CONCAT(text1, [text2], …). Modern replacement for legacy CONCATENATE.
  • Does not add delimiters — use [TEXTJOIN](/functions/textjoin/) for commas or spaces between values.
  • Related: [TEXTJOIN](/functions/textjoin/), [CONCATENATE](/functions/concatenate/), compare [CONCAT vs TEXTJOIN](/compare/concat-vs-textjoin/).

CONCAT syntax and text output behavior

  • Accepts individual cells, ranges, and literal strings in one call.
  • Result is always text — joined numbers align left until converted with [VALUE](/functions/value/).
  • Empty cells contribute nothing — unlike TEXTJOIN with ignore_empty FALSE.
  • Available in Excel 2019+ and Microsoft 365.

Step-by-step: join first and last name

  • Step 1 — First in A2, Last in B2.
  • Step 2 — =CONCAT(A2, " ", B2) for display name.
  • Step 3 — Entire column: =CONCAT(A2:A500, " ", B2:B500) in M365 spills paired join per row when using BYROW patterns.
  • Step 4 — Simpler row formula fill down: =CONCAT(A2, " ", B2).
  • Step 5 — Prefer TEXTJOIN when joining many optional parts with delimiter.

CONCAT vs TEXTJOIN vs CONCATENATE

  • CONCAT — range-friendly; no built-in delimiter.
  • TEXTJOIN — delimiter + ignore_empty — cleaner address blocks and tags.
  • CONCATENATE — legacy; still works but CONCAT preferred.
  • Compare guide: [CONCAT vs TEXTJOIN](/compare/concat-vs-textjoin/).

Worked examples to copy

  • Full name: =CONCAT(A2, " ", B2).
  • Code label: =CONCAT("INV-", C2, "-", YEAR(TODAY())).
  • Join row range: =CONCAT(A2:E2) merges one row without separators.
  • With TRIM: =CONCAT(TRIM(A2), " ", TRIM(B2)).

People also ask

  • CONCAT vs CONCATENATE? — CONCAT supports wider range references; preferred in new files.
  • CONCAT add comma between cells? — No delimiter — use TEXTJOIN(", ", TRUE, range).
  • CONCAT numbers as text? — Yes; use VALUE if math needed after join.
  • CONCAT entire column? — Row-by-row formulas or dynamic array patterns in M365.

Common errors

  • Returns numbers as text
  • No delimiter between items

Use cases

  • Creating full names
  • Building addresses
  • Generating codes

Frequently asked questions

  • What is the CONCAT function in Excel? CONCAT joins multiple text strings into one. The syntax is =CONCAT(text1, [text2], ...). For example, =CONCAT(A1, " ", B1) joins first name, space, and last name. Unlike the older CONCATENATE, CONCAT can accept ranges: =CONCAT(A1:A5) joins all cells in the range. Available in Excel 2016 and later.
  • What is the difference between CONCAT, CONCATENATE, and &? All three join text, but differ in capability: & is the simplest: =A1&" "&B1. CONCATENATE is the legacy function (still works): =CONCATENATE(A1, " ", B1). CONCAT (Excel 2016+) can accept ranges: =CONCAT(A1:A5). TEXTJOIN (Excel 2019+) adds delimiters: =TEXTJOIN(", ", TRUE, A1:A5). Use TEXTJOIN for lists with separators.
  • How do I add spaces or delimiters between concatenated text? Include the delimiter as a separate argument: =CONCAT(A1, " ", B1) adds a space. For multiple items with the same delimiter, use TEXTJOIN: =TEXTJOIN(", ", TRUE, A1:A5) joins with commas. The TRUE argument in TEXTJOIN ignores empty cells. Without TEXTJOIN, you must add each delimiter manually.
  • How do I concatenate text with numbers or dates? Numbers concatenate directly: =CONCAT("Total: ", A1) works if A1 is a number. For dates, use TEXT to format: =CONCAT("Date: ", TEXT(A1, "MM/DD/YYYY")). Without TEXT, dates show as serial numbers. For currency: =CONCAT("Price: $", TEXT(A1, "#,##0.00")). TEXT ensures proper formatting in the result.
  • Why is CONCAT not working or showing #NAME! error? CONCAT shows #NAME! in Excel 2013 or earlier because it was introduced in Excel 2016. Solutions: 1) Use CONCATENATE instead (works in all versions); 2) Use the & operator: =A1&B1; 3) Upgrade to a newer Excel version. If CONCAT exists but returns unexpected results, check for extra spaces or verify cell references.

Editorial review

  • Reviewed by Excel.Directory Editorial Team. Updated May 2026.

When to use CONCAT

  • Creating full names — common Text scenario for CONCAT.
  • Building addresses — common Text scenario for CONCAT.
  • Generating codes — common Text scenario for CONCAT.

CONCAT in the Text category

  • Browse all Text functions at /categories/text/ for related formulas.
  • CONCAT syntax: =CONCAT(text1, [text2], ...)
  • text1 (required): The first text item to join
  • text2 (optional): Additional text items to join
  • Confirm CONCAT arguments match the syntax shown above before filling down.
  • Lock table and range references with $ when copying formulas across rows or sheets.

Formula checklist before you copy down

  • Confirm CONCAT arguments match the syntax shown above before filling down.
  • Lock table and range references with $ when copying formulas across rows or sheets.
  • If results look wrong, check for text stored as numbers and invisible spaces with TRIM.
  • Spot-check three known input rows manually against expected output.

Related Excel functions

  • TEXTJOIN (/functions/textjoin/): Joins text from multiple ranges with a delimiter, with option to ignore empty cells.
  • CONCATENATE (/functions/concatenate/): Joins several text strings into one string.
  • &: see the functions directory for syntax and examples.

Comparisons involving this function

  • CONCAT vs TEXTJOIN (/compare/concat-vs-textjoin/): Use CONCAT for simple joining without a delimiter. Use TEXTJOIN when you need separators, optional blank skipping, and cleaner multi-cell joins.

Errors to watch for

  • Returns numbers as text — review causes on linked error pages in the directory.
  • No delimiter between items — review causes on linked error pages in the directory.

Copy-paste audit workflow

  • Enter CONCAT on three test rows with known expected output documented on a QA tab.
  • Fill down only after absolute references are locked on lookup tables and rate tables.
  • Compare against manual calculation or a calculator for financial and statistical functions.
  • Search this directory for comparison guides when choosing between similar functions in the same category.

CONCAT worked examples to copy

  • =CONCAT(A1, " ", B1) — Join first and last name with space. Expected result: John Smith.
  • =CONCAT(A1:A5) — Join a range of cells. Expected result: Combined text.

CONCAT reference summary for crawlers and offline review

  • CONCAT belongs to the Text category in Excel. Joins two or more text strings into one string.
  • Full syntax: =CONCAT(text1, [text2], ...). Open /functions/concat/ for parameters, FAQs, and related pages.
  • Common mistakes: Returns numbers as text; No delimiter between items
  • Pair this function with comparison guides when another Excel formula might fit the same task better.
  • Review fix-excel-formula-errors when unexpected errors appear after upgrading Excel or sharing across locales.