Microsoft Excel Tutorial: CONCAT vs. TEXTJOIN

Manually merging data from multiple cells can be a tedious and error-prone process, especially when dealing with large datasets. Fortunately, Excel provides powerful functions like CONCAT and TEXTJOIN to automate this task efficiently.

CONCAT and TEXTJOIN are both designed to combine text from different cells into a single cell. However, they offer distinct features and cater to specific scenarios.

Understanding CONCAT

The term "concatenate" literally means "to link together in a series." The CONCAT function operates by simply joining text or cell references into a single string. Its syntax is straightforward:

      =CONCAT(a, b, c)
    

Here, 'a', 'b', and 'c' represent the text or cell references you wish to combine. Text values, including punctuation and spaces, should be enclosed in double quotes. You can include up to 252 references or text strings in a single CONCAT function.

A key feature of CONCAT is its handling of blank cells. If a blank cell is referenced, it's essentially ignored in the output unless it's placed between commas.

TEXTJOIN: Adding Flexibility and Control

The TEXTJOIN function operates similarly to CONCAT, but it provides an additional layer of control by allowing you to insert a delimiter between each concatenated item. A delimiter is a mark or symbol that acts as a separator between elements. Additionally, TEXTJOIN offers the option to either include or exclude empty cells.

The syntax for TEXTJOIN is:

      =TEXTJOIN(w, x, y)
    

• w: This is the delimiter you choose to insert between the concatenated items.

• x: A logical value (TRUE or FALSE) that determines whether empty cells are included (FALSE) or ignored (TRUE).

• y: Represents the first of up to 252 references or text strings you want to combine.

Practical Examples: CONCAT vs. TEXTJOIN

Let's illustrate the functionality of these functions with examples.

CONCAT

Imagine you have a spreadsheet where column A contains first names, column B contains last names, and you want to combine them in column C, separated by a space. Using CONCAT, you could write the formula:

      =CONCAT(A1," ",B1)
    

This formula takes the first name from cell A1, adds a space, and then appends the last name from cell B1, creating a complete name in cell C1. You can then copy this formula down the entire column to combine all the names.

TEXTJOIN

Now, let's assume you have a list of numbers in cells A1 to C1 and want to combine them with the word "and" as a delimiter. The TEXTJOIN formula would look like this:

      =TEXTJOIN(" and ", TRUE, A1:C1)
    

This formula inserts the word "and" (including the spaces) between each number in the specified range. The "TRUE" argument instructs Excel to ignore any blank cells in the range.

When to Choose Which Function

So, which function is right for you?

• CONCAT is a simple and efficient choice when you need to combine values without worrying about delimiters or empty cells. However, if you require precise spacing or punctuation, you'll need to manually include them in the CONCAT formula.

• TEXTJOIN provides greater flexibility and control. It allows you to define a delimiter, making it ideal for tasks like creating comma-separated lists or formatted strings. It also offers the ability to manage empty cells according to your needs.

Key Considerations

• CONCAT is gradually replacing the older CONCATENATE function, which is being phased out.

• TEXTJOIN can be particularly useful for handling large volumes of data, as it streamlines the process of adding consistent delimiters.

By understanding the capabilities of both CONCAT and TEXTJOIN, you can choose the most appropriate function for your specific data manipulation needs. Mastering these functions will undoubtedly enhance your efficiency in Excel and allow you to streamline your data processing tasks.