Purpose

Return value

Syntax

=CONCAT(text1,[text2],...)
  • text1 - First text value, cell reference, or range.
  • text2 - [optional] Second text value, cell reference, or range.

Using the CONCAT function

The CONCAT function concatenates (joins) values supplied as references or constants. Unlike the CONCATENATE function (which CONCAT replaces), CONCAT will accept a range of cells to join, in addition to individual cell references. The CONCAT function automatically ignores empty cells.

The CONCAT function accepts multiple arguments called text1, text2, text3, etc. up to 255 total. Arguments may be supplied as cell references, ranges, and hard-coded text strings. Only the first argument is required, and values are concatenated in the order they appear. For example, to concatenate the value of A1 and B1, separated by a space, you can configure CONCAT like this:

=CONCAT(A1," ",B1)

This is equivalent to using the concatenation operator (&) manually like this:

=A1&" "&B1 // manual concatenation

When concatenating numbers, number formatting is lost. For example, with the date 1-Jul-2021 in cell A1, the date reverts to a serial number :

=CONCAT("The date is ",A1) // returns "The date is 44378"

Use the TEXT function to apply formatting during concatenation:

=CONCAT("The date is ",TEXT(A1,"mmmm d")) // "The date is July 1"

The main benefit of CONCAT over the older CONCATENATION function is the ability to concatenate ranges. To concatenate the values in A1, B1, and C1, you can use a range like this:

=CONCAT(A1:C1)

However, the CONCAT does not provide a way to specify a delimiter to use when concatenating many values together. To join many values with a common delimiter, see the TEXTJOIN function . TEXTJOIN can do everything CONCAT can do, but can also apply a delimiter and optionally ignore empty values.

Notes

  • CONCAT can accept ranges in addition to individual cells.
  • To concatenate manually, use the concatenation operator (&).
  • The CONCAT function provides no options for delimiters or empty values.
  • Numbers provided to CONCAT will be converted to text values during concatenation.
  • If the result is greater than 32767 characters, CONCAT returns #VALUE!

Purpose

Return value

Syntax

=CONCATENATE(text1,text2,[text3],...)
  • text1 - The first text value to join together.
  • text2 - The second text value to join together.
  • text3 - [optional] The third text value to join together.

Using the CONCATENATE function

The CONCATENATE function concatenates (joins) join up to 30 values together and returns the result as text. In Excel 2019 and later, the CONCAT function and TEXTJOIN function are better, more flexible alternatives.

The CONCATENATE function accepts multiple arguments called text1 , text2 , text3 , etc. up to 30 total. Values may be supplied as cell references, and hard-coded text strings. Only the first argument is required, and values are concatenated in the order they appear. For example, to concatenate the value of A1 and B1, separated by a space, you can use CONCATENATE like this:

=CONCATENATE(A1," ",B1)

The result of this formula is the same as using the concatenation operator (&) manually like this:

=A1&" "&B1 // manual concatenation

The ampersand character (&) is an alternative to CONCATENATE. The result is the same, but the ampersand is more flexible, and creates formulas that are shorter and (arguably) easier to read.

Number formatting

When concatenating numeric values like dates, times, percentages, etc., number formatting will be lost. For example, with the date 1-Jul-2021 in cell A1, the date reverts to a serial number during concatenation:

=CONCATENATE("Date: ",A1) // returns "Date: 44378"

To apply formatting during concatenation use the TEXT function :

=CONCATENATE("The date is ",TEXT(A1,"mmmm d")) // "Date: July 1"

The CONCATENATE function will not handle ranges :

=CONCATENATE(A1:D1) // does not work

To concatenate values in ranges, see the CONCAT function . To concatenate many values with a common delimiter, see the TEXTJOIN function . TEXTJOIN can do everything CONCAT can do, but can also accept a delimiter and optionally ignore empty values.

Notes

  • CONCATENATE can join up to 30 text items together.
  • Text items can be text strings, numbers, or cell references that refer to one cell.
  • Numbers are converted to text when joined. If you need to specify a number format for a number being joined, see the TEXT function .
  • The ampersand character (&) is an alternative to CONCATENATE. The result is the same, but the ampersand is more flexible, and creates formulas that are shorter and (arguably) easier to read.