How to Merge Two Columns in Excel (6 Easy Ways)

When working with a lot of data, we occasionally need to connect two columns in Excel. This tutorial will show you all easy and quick methods on how to merge two columns in Excel in six easy ways and it will save your time!

How to Merge Two Columns in Excel: 6 Easy Ways

In this tutorial, we will show you how to merge two columns in Excel in six different ways. It includes the CONCAT function, Ampersand Operator, CONCATENATE function, Clipboard option, Flash Fill feature, and Notepad method. For the purpose of demonstration, we have used the below dataset as a sample.

1. Using CONCAT Function to Merge Two Columns

You can merge two columns in Excel by using the CONCAT function. It is quite simple to apply in Excel. This function combines the data from multiple strings. This is a newer version of the CONCATENATE function.

Steps:

• Click in the cell where you want the merged data.
• Type “=CONCAT(“ and select the first cell you want to merge.
• Then add a comma and click the second cell you want to merge.
• After that, close the formula with a parenthesis. We have used the below formula for our sample data.

• Finally, press Enter and you will get the merged data.
• Now, select the cell and apply the Fill Handle to the entire column in order to get the merged data of the whole two columns.

2. Merge Two Columns Through Ampersand Operator

The Ampersand operator is one of the best techniques in order to merge two columns in Excel. It is easier and more convenient to use. You need not use any function or formula in this method to merge two columns.

Steps:

• First, select the cell where you want to merge the two columns.
• Second, type “=” and click on the first cell you want to combine.
• Third, type & and click on the second cell. We have used the below formula for our sample data.

• Finally, press the Enter key and you will get the merged data.

• Now, select the cell and apply the Fill Handle to the entire column in order to get the merged data of the whole two columns.

3. Applying CONCATENATE Function

By applying the CONCATENATE function, you can merge two columns in Excel without losing any data. This is an earlier version of the CONCAT function. But this version will remain compatible with earlier versions of Excel.

Steps:

• Select a cell in the worksheet.
• Write the below formula in the formula bar.

• Now, press Enter.
• Then, select the cell and apply the Fill Handle to the entire column in order to get the merged data of the whole two columns.

4. Merging Two Columns by Clipboard in Excel

By using the Clipboard option, two or even more columns can be merged in Excel. But it is suitable if you want to merge two consecutive columns in Excel. This limits the usability of this method as a completely versatile method.

Steps:

• From the Home tab, first click the Anchor button at the bottom-right corner of the Clipboard.

• Select the two columns you want to merge and press the Ctrl+C keys to copy them.
• The columns are copied to the Clipboard.
• Now, click the cell where you want the merged data and press Paste All to paste it.

• Now the two columns are merged into one.

5. Utilizing Flash Fill to Merge Two Columns

You can use the Flash Fill option to merge two columns in Excel. It is a very easy and simple method. It provides the result automatically if it is turned on. Otherwise, it can be done manually by pressing Ctrl+E.

Steps:

• First, write the combined text of the two columns in Cell D5.

• Second, start to write the combined text in cell D6. Now, you can see that Excel is showing the merged data for all the cells.

• Finally, press the Enter button and you will get the whole merged data.

6. Merge Two Columns in Excel via Notepad

It is a faster method and needs no formulas. But it is suitable only if you want to merge two consecutive columns. Otherwise, the method may not work properly. You also need to use the Notepad app in addition to Excel in this method.

Steps:

• Select the two columns you want to merge and press the Ctrl+C keys to copy them.

• Open Notepad and press Ctrl+V keys to paste it on the Notepad.

• Now, press the Ctrl+A keys to select the whole text in Notepad.
• Again, copy the whole text by pressing the Ctrl+C.
• Finally, paste the merged data to the desired cell by pressing the Ctrl+V.

Download Practice Workbook

You can download the workbook used for the demonstration from the download link below.

Conclusion

These are all the steps you can follow in Excel to merge two columns. Hopefully, you can now easily create the needed adjustments in columns. I sincerely hope you learned something and enjoyed this guide. Please let us know in the comments section below if you have any queries or recommendations.

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