Excel CONCATENATE Function
CONCATENATE joins multiple text values into one text string.
Use it to build IDs, labels, codes, names, or display strings from separate cells when the pieces need to be combined in a specific order.
CONCATENATE syntax & arguments
Syntax
=CONCATENATE(text1, [text2], ...)
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1
text1
RequiredThe first text value, cell reference, or formula result to join.
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2
text2
Optional RepeatableAdditional text values, cell references, or formula results to append in order.
Example
=CONCATENATE(A2, "-", B2)
Join the value from A2, a hyphen, and the value from B2 into one text string.
CONCATENATE caveats
CONCATENATE is useful in older workbooks, but it gives you exactly the pieces you provide and does not clean or format them automatically.
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Separators are not automatic
Add spaces, hyphens, commas, or other separators as their own text arguments when the final string needs them.
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Source spacing carries through
Leading, trailing, or repeated spaces in source cells become part of the joined text.
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Dates and numbers may need formatting
Use TEXT when a joined date, time, currency, or percentage needs a specific display format.
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It is a legacy-style join function
Newer Excel versions also include CONCAT and TEXTJOIN, which are often better for ranges or delimiter-based joins.
Joining messy text? Use TRIM before CONCATENATE when extra spaces should not appear in the final result.
Intro CONCATENATE practice problems
No intro CONCATENATE problems are currently available.
Advanced CONCATENATE practice problems
Use CONCATENATE alongside other Excel functions in realistic, less-prescriptive challenges.
