Md. Shamim Reza
Sometimes we need to combine two columns in excel to make our data more organized. This article shows 2 quick and easy ways to add two columns in excel. The following picture gives an idea about the results obtained using these 2 methods.
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2 Quick & Easy Ways to Add Two Columns in Excel
I am going to illustrate 2 of the simplest, quickest, and easiest ways to add two columns in excel for you. We will use the following dataset to highlight the methods. Let’s start!
1. Add Two Columns in Excel Using the Ampersand Symbol (＆)
Suppose, you want to add column B and column C to get the full name in column D. You can easily do that using the ampersand symbol. For that, please follow the steps below.
👉 Steps
1. At first, enter the following formula in cell D5:
=B5&C5
2. You can see the first name from cell B5 and the last name from cell C5 are added together as a full name in cell D5. Now apply the formula to the cells below using the fill handle tool.
3. Now all the first and last names are added together in column D.
4. But there is no space between the first and last names. To add a space between them, apply the simple formula given below in cell D5:
=B5&" "&C5
5. You can see the full name in cell D5 has a space between the first and last names. Now, copy the formula down to the cells below.
Now all the full names have spaces in between the first and last names.
Read More: How to Add Up Columns in Excel (12 Methods)
Similar Readings
- How to Sum Columns in Excel Table (7 Methods)
- Sum Entire Column in Excel (9 Easy Ways)
- How to Total a Column in Excel (7 Effective Methods)
2. Add Two Columns Using CONCAT Function in Excel
Another simple and easy way to add two columns in excel is to use the CONCAT function. Let’s try that by following the steps below.
👉 Steps
1. Enter the following formula in cell D5:
=CONCAT(B5,C5)
2. Now we see the same result obtained from the earlier method. Then copying the formula to the cells below obviously gives the same result too.
3. As there are no spaces in between the first and last names in this case also, we need to change the arguments of the function.
4. So, apply the following formula instead of the first one in cell D5.
=CONCAT(B5," ",C5)
5. The following result shows that a space has been added in between the names. After that, apply the formula to the cells below.
Finally, we see similar results as obtained in the first method.
Read More: How to Sum Columns in Excel When Filtered (7 Ways)
Things to Remember
- Don’t forget to add an ampersand symbol(＆) in between the cell references or texts that you want to add in the first method.
- You must put the texts inside inverted commas(“”) in case of both of the methods.
- The CONCAT function is the new version of the CONCATENATE function which gives the same results.
- To add more than two columns is also possible by using either of the methods.
- If you want to delete the first and last names then copy the full names first. Then, paste it there as values. Otherwise, you will lose all the data.
Conclusion
Now you know the 2 ways how to add two columns in excel. For further queries, please use the comment section below. If you know any other ways to add two columns in excel, please share them with us too.
