Combining cells in Excel allows you to merge the content of multiple cells into a single cell. This feature is helpful when you want to create a more informative label or consolidate data from different cells. Whether you need to combine cells horizontally or vertically, Excel provides several methods to achieve this. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to combine cells in Excel.
Before we begin, open Microsoft Excel on your computer or access an online Excel sheet if you don’t have Excel installed.
Already done? Then let’s learn how to combine cells in Excel straight away:
Method 1: Combine Cells Using the CONCATENATE Function
Excel provides a built-in function called `CONCATENATE` that allows you to combine the content of multiple cells. Here’s how to use it:
Option 1: Combine Cells Horizontally
To combine cells horizontally, follow these steps:
- In a new cell where you want the combined result to appear, enter the `CONCATENATE` function.
For example, if you want to combine cells A1, B1, and C1, you can enter the following in cell D1:
=CONCATENATE(A1, B1, C1)
Alternatively, you can use the shorter `&` symbol to achieve the same result:
=A1 & B1 & C1
- Press Enter, and the content of cells A1, B1, and C1 will be combined in cell D1.
Option 2: Combine Cells Vertically
To combine cells vertically, follow these steps:
- In a new cell where you want the combined result to appear, enter the `CONCATENATE` function with line breaks or spaces between the cells. For example, if you want to combine cells A1, A2, and A3 vertically, you can enter the following in cell A4:
=CONCATENATE(A1, CHAR(10), A2, CHAR(10), A3)
The `CHAR(10)` function adds a line break between the content of each cell, creating a vertical combination.
- Press Enter, and the content of cells A1, A2, and A3 will be combined vertically in cell A4.
Method 2: Combine Cells Using the “&” Operator
As mentioned earlier, you can also use the “&” operator to combine cells in Excel. The process is the same as using the `CONCATENATE` function, but it’s often considered more concise and easier to use.
Option 1: Combine Cells Horizontally
To combine cells horizontally using the “&” operator, follow these steps:
1. In a new cell where you want the combined result to appear, enter the following formula. For example, if you want to combine cells A1, B1, and C1 horizontally, you can enter the following in cell D1:
=A1 & B1 & C1
2. Press Enter, and the content of cells A1, B1, and C1 will be combined in cell D1.
Option 2: Combine Cells Vertically
To combine cells vertically using the “&” operator, follow these steps:
1. In a new cell where you want the combined result to appear, enter the following formula with line breaks or spaces between the cells. For example, if you want to combine cells A1, A2, and A3 vertically, you can enter the following in cell A4:
=A1 & CHAR(10) & A2 & CHAR(10) & A3
The `CHAR(10)` function adds a line break between the content of each cell, creating a vertical combination.
2. Press Enter, and the content of cells A1, A2, and A3 will be combined vertically in cell A4.
Method 3: Combine Cells in Excel Using the Merge & Center Feature
Another way to visually combine cells is by using the “Merge & Center” feature. This method is useful when you want to create a heading or title that spans across multiple cells. Here’s how to use it:
- Select the cells you want to combine. For example, to combine cells A1, B1, and C1 horizontally, click and drag to select these cells.
- Go to the “Home” tab in the Excel ribbon, and locate the “Merge & Center” button in the “Alignment” group.
- Click on the “Merge & Center” button, and the content of the selected cells will be combined into a single cell, centered within the selection.
How to Unmerge the Combined Cells in Excel
If you ever need to revert the merged cells to their original state, follow these steps to unmerge cells:
- Select the merged cell that you want to unmerge.
- Go to the “Home” tab in the Excel ribbon, locate the “Merge & Center” button in the “Alignment” group, and click on the small arrow next to it.
- From the dropdown menu, select “Unmerge Cells,” and the content of the merged cell will be split back into its original cells.
Conclusion
Combining cells in Excel is a powerful feature that allows you to create more informative labels and consolidate data. No matter whether you choose to use the `CONCATENATE` function or the “&” operator, you can easily merge cells both horizontally and vertically.
Additionally, the “Merge & Center” feature provides a visually appealing way to combine cells for headings and titles.
Remember that while merging cells may visually create the appearance of a single cell, the data is still stored in its original cells. If you need to analyze or manipulate the combined data, consider using the `CONCATENATE` function or “&” operator instead of the “Merge & Center” feature.