Answer

Merging columns in Excel is combining the content of two or more columns into one cell or creating a single displayed cell across multiple columns. To merge cells across multiple columns in Excel, use the Merge & Center command.

Steps

1. Select the cells across the columns you want to merge.

2. Go to the Home tab.

3. Click the drop-down beside Merge & Center.

4. Choose one of these options:

   • Merge & Center (creates one centered cell).

   • Merge Across (merges each row separately).

   • Merge Cells (merges without centering).

5. Confirm the warning that only the upper-left value remains.

Windows vs. Mac differences

• Windows shows the Merge & Center button directly in the Home ribbon.

• Mac uses a similar button, but the icon may appear smaller depending on the ribbon layout.

How to merge column values into one combined column

Excel combines text from two or more columns using formulas or Flash Fill. These methods keep the original data intact and avoid loss of values.

Method 1: Use the ampersand ( & ) operator

This method joins values into one cell.

Steps

1. Insert a new column where you want the merged content.

2. Type a formula that joins the columns, such as: 

   =A1 & " " & B1

3. Press Enter.

4. Fill down to apply the formula to all rows.

Notes

• Add spaces, commas, hyphens, or any separator by placing them inside quotation marks.

• The formula updates when source data changes.

Method 2: Use the TEXTJOIN function

TEXTJOIN merges multiple columns with a chosen separator.

Steps

1. Insert a new output column.

2. Enter: 

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

3. Press Enter.

4. Fill down.

Meaning of arguments

• The first argument defines the separator.

• The second argument determines whether to ignore empty cells.

• The last argument defines the range.

Method 3: Use Flash Fill

Flash Fill detects patterns and completes the merge automatically.

Steps

Steps

1. In a new column, type the merged result for the first row.

2. Press Enter.

3. Go to Data > Flash Fill.

4. Excel fills the rest of the column based on the pattern.

Windows vs. Mac differences

• Windows has Flash Fill in the Data tab and keyboard shortcut Ctrl + E.

• Mac requires manual selection of Flash Fill from the Data tab because keyboard shortcuts vary across versions.

Best practice for merging columns

• Use formulas or Flash Fill to prevent deleting data when merging cells.

• Use cell merging only for formatting headers or display layouts.

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