Merging columns of data
 

Is it possible to merge two columns of data into a single column, such that
the resultant column will contain cells of text consisting of the
*concatenation* of the two columns?

In other words, let's say I have two columns -- A & B -- each with many rows
of cells. In column A, I have a list of First Names; in column B, I have a
list of Last Names. What I'd like to do is to merge them into a single
column of First and Last Names.

I know I can create a function (in a third column, for instance) for every
single row, where column C would use a CONCATENATE function to merge the
data in A and the data in B. But I was hoping for a simpler way than that.
(Plus, unless I'm mistaken, I'd have to replicate that function for every
single row I add to the spreadsheet. Is there any easy way to do that?
I.e., to say "Column C will *always* be the concatenation of A and B" --
*without* having to manually enter that function each and every row?)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frank Nicodem

You need a function to do this. Select all of the rows in column
C that will contain the concatenated text, type

=A1&" "&B1

and press Ctrl+Enter rather than Enter. This will fill the
formula down in all the selected cells.


--
Cordially,
Chip Pearson
Microsoft MVP - Excel
Pearson Software Consulting, LLC
www.cpearson.com







"Frank D. Nicodem, Jr." wrote in message
...
Is it possible to merge two columns of data into a single
column, such that the resultant column will contain cells of
text consisting of the *concatenation* of the two columns?

In other words, let's say I have two columns -- A & B -- each
with many rows of cells. In column A, I have a list of First
Names; in column B, I have a list of Last Names. What I'd like
to do is to merge them into a single column of First and Last
Names.

I know I can create a function (in a third column, for
instance) for every single row, where column C would use a
CONCATENATE function to merge the data in A and the data in B.
But I was hoping for a simpler way than that. (Plus, unless I'm
mistaken, I'd have to replicate that function for every single
row I add to the spreadsheet. Is there any easy way to do
that? I.e., to say "Column C will *always* be the concatenation
of A and B" -- *without* having to manually enter that
function each and every row?)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frank Nicodem

Hi Frank,
You can type the & symbol instead of using the word CONCATENATE. For example
=A1&B1 typed in C1. Then just copy the formula down.
Cheers,
Annie

"Frank D. Nicodem, Jr." wrote:

Is it possible to merge two columns of data into a single column, such that
the resultant column will contain cells of text consisting of the
*concatenation* of the two columns?

In other words, let's say I have two columns -- A & B -- each with many rows
of cells. In column A, I have a list of First Names; in column B, I have a
list of Last Names. What I'd like to do is to merge them into a single
column of First and Last Names.

I know I can create a function (in a third column, for instance) for every
single row, where column C would use a CONCATENATE function to merge the
data in A and the data in B. But I was hoping for a simpler way than that.
(Plus, unless I'm mistaken, I'd have to replicate that function for every
single row I add to the spreadsheet. Is there any easy way to do that?
I.e., to say "Column C will *always* be the concatenation of A and B" --
*without* having to manually enter that function each and every row?)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frank Nicodem