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CONCATENATE Function in Excel

Joins several text strings into one string.

Syntax

  • =CONCATENATE(text1, [text2], ...)

Arguments

  • text1 (required): First text
  • text2 (optional): Additional text

Examples

  • =CONCATENATE(A1, " ", B1) - Join with space - Result: Combined text

Excel CONCATENATE function documentation

  • CONCATENATE joins two or more text strings into one — legacy function, still widely used.
  • Syntax: =CONCATENATE(text1, [text2], ...). Modern alternative: & operator or [CONCAT](/functions/concat/) / [TEXTJOIN](/functions/textjoin/).
  • Use for building labels, full names, addresses, and dynamic messages in older workbooks.
  • Related: [TEXTJOIN](/functions/textjoin/), [CONCAT](/functions/concat/), [TEXT](/functions/text/), [LEFT](/functions/left/).

CONCATENATE syntax and delimiters

  • Up to 255 arguments in Excel; each can be cell, number, or text in quotes.
  • Numbers join as text display — does not sum.
  • Add delimiter manually: =CONCATENATE(A2, " ", B2) or =A2&" "&B2.
  • Microsoft 365 prefers TEXTJOIN for delimiter + ignore blanks in one call.

Step-by-step: build full name column

  • Step 1 — First name A2, last name B2.
  • Step 2 — =CONCATENATE(A2, " ", B2) or =A2&" "&B2.
  • Step 3 — Copy down.
  • Step 4 — Middle initial: =CONCATENATE(A2, " ", C2, ". ", B2).
  • Step 5 — Migrate to =TEXTJOIN(" ", TRUE, A2:C2) in 365 for cleaner syntax.

CONCATENATE vs TEXTJOIN vs CONCAT

  • CONCATENATE — explicit separators per gap; no ignore-blanks flag.
  • TEXTJOIN — delimiter once; TRUE skips empty cells.
  • CONCAT — range spill join in 365 without delimiter.
  • Category: [Text functions](/categories/text/).

Worked examples to copy

  • Full name: =CONCATENATE(A2," ",B2).
  • Code label: =CONCATENATE("INV-", TEXT(C2,"0000")).
  • Address line: =A2&", "&B2&", "&C2.
  • Email local part: =LOWER(CONCATENATE(A2,".",B2)).

People also ask

  • Is CONCATENATE deprecated? — Still works; TEXTJOIN/CONCAT recommended in 365.
  • CONCATENATE vs &? — Same result; & is shorter.
  • CONCATENATE numbers as dates? — Use TEXT to format dates before join.
  • CONCATENATE #VALUE!? — Non-text error values in arguments.

Common errors

  • Use CONCAT or TEXTJOIN in newer Excel

Use cases

  • Text joining
  • Legacy formulas
  • String building

Frequently asked questions

  • Should I use CONCATENATE or CONCAT? Use CONCAT in Excel 2016+ and 365. CONCATENATE is the legacy function kept for compatibility. CONCAT is shorter to type and can accept ranges directly. CONCATENATE requires listing each cell individually.
  • What's the difference between CONCATENATE and &? They do the same thing. =CONCATENATE(A1, B1) equals =A1&B1. The & operator is shorter and often preferred. CONCATENATE can be clearer when joining many items, but & is more common in modern formulas.
  • Why use TEXTJOIN instead of CONCATENATE? TEXTJOIN adds a delimiter automatically and can ignore empty cells. =TEXTJOIN(", ", TRUE, A1:A10) joins with commas, skipping blanks. CONCATENATE would require: =CONCATENATE(A1, ", ", A2, ", ", A3...) - much longer!

Editorial review

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

When to use CONCATENATE

  • Text joining — common Text scenario for CONCATENATE.
  • Legacy formulas — common Text scenario for CONCATENATE.
  • String building — common Text scenario for CONCATENATE.

CONCATENATE in the Text category

  • Browse all Text functions at /categories/text/ for related formulas.
  • CONCATENATE syntax: =CONCATENATE(text1, [text2], ...)
  • text1 (required): First text
  • text2 (optional): Additional text
  • Confirm CONCATENATE 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 CONCATENATE 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

  • CONCAT (/functions/concat/): Joins two or more text strings into one string.
  • TEXTJOIN (/functions/textjoin/): Joins text from multiple ranges with a delimiter, with option to ignore empty cells.
  • &: 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

  • Use CONCAT or TEXTJOIN in newer Excel — review causes on linked error pages in the directory.

Copy-paste audit workflow

  • Enter CONCATENATE 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.

CONCATENATE worked examples to copy

  • =CONCATENATE(A1, " ", B1) — Join with space. Expected result: Combined text.

CONCATENATE reference summary for crawlers and offline review

  • CONCATENATE belongs to the Text category in Excel. Joins several text strings into one string.
  • Full syntax: =CONCATENATE(text1, [text2], ...). Open /functions/concatenate/ for parameters, FAQs, and related pages.
  • Common mistakes: Use CONCAT or TEXTJOIN in newer Excel
  • 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.