Combining data from multiple columns into one

 

A previous Monday Minute showed how you can split columns based a on a separator, like a space. But do you ever have the opposite problem, where you have text in columns that you wish WAS together?This Monday Minute is a great trick to have up your sleeve!

Multiple columns to one

To combine columns (or cells) into one field, there is a function called "concatenate." (a function that is easier done than said!)

1. In an adjacent column, type the formula "=concatenate(value1, value2, value3)" (Google Sheets) or "=concat(value1, value2, value3)" (Excel)

Tips:

1. If you need spaces or commas between data, add those between quotes
2. You can do this with numeric data too (=concatenate(1,2) would result in 12)

Article by Amy Baker, Extension Learning Technologies, amy@umn.edu