How to Merge First and Last Name in Excel?

Are you looking for an easy way to merge first and last name in Excel? With the help of a few simple steps, you can quickly and easily combine first and last names in Excel. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step so that you can get the result you need with minimal effort.

Merging First Name and Last Name in Excel

Merging first name and last name in Excel is a common task that can be done in a few simple steps. In its simplest form, it involves combining two cells or columns into one. It can be used to create a full name from separate cells containing the first name and last name or to merge multiple columns of data. In this article, we’ll look at how to merge first and last name in Excel, as well as some of the more advanced techniques for combining cells.

Using CONCATENATE to Merge First and Last Name

The most basic way to merge first and last name in Excel is to use the CONCATENATE function. This function allows you to combine two or more cells or columns of data into one. To use this function, simply select the cell you want to put the combined name in, and then type =CONCATENATE(cell1, cell2). Replace cell1 and cell2 with the cells you want to combine, and then press enter.

The CONCATENATE function is a great way to quickly combine two cells of data, but it does have its limitations. For example, it won’t work if you want to add a space between the first and last name or if you want to add additional text or punctuation. To do that, you’ll need to use one of the other methods described below.

Using the Ampersand (&) to Merge First and Last Name

The ampersand (&) is a symbol that can be used in Excel to combine two or more cells into one. To use it, simply type an ampersand between the first and last name in the cell you want to combine them in. You can also add a space, punctuation, or other text by typing it after the ampersand. For example, if you wanted to combine the first name in cell A2 and the last name in cell B2, you would type =A2&” “&B2 into the cell you want to put the combined name in.

The ampersand is a quick and easy way to merge two cells, but it won’t work if you want to combine more than two cells. To do that, you’ll need to use one of the other methods described below.

Using CONCAT to Merge First and Last Name

The CONCAT function is similar to the CONCATENATE function, but it allows you to combine more than two cells or columns of data into one. To use this function, simply select the cell you want to put the combined name in, and then type =CONCAT(cell1, cell2, cell3). Replace cell1, cell2, and cell3 with the cells you want to combine, and then press enter.

The CONCAT function is a great way to combine multiple cells of data, but it does have its limitations. For example, it won’t work if you want to add a space between the cells or add additional text or punctuation. To do that, you’ll need to use one of the other methods described below.

Using TEXTJOIN to Merge First and Last Name

The TEXTJOIN function is a new function in Excel that was introduced in Excel 2016. This function allows you to combine two or more cells or columns of data into one, while also allowing you to add a separator between the cells and additional text or punctuation. To use this function, simply select the cell you want to put the combined name in, and then type =TEXTJOIN(separator, cell1, cell2). Replace separator with the character you want to separate the cells with (e.g. a space or a comma), and replace cell1 and cell2 with the cells you want to combine.

The TEXTJOIN function is a great way to combine multiple cells of data, but it does have its limitations. For example, it won’t work if you want to add additional text or punctuation after the cells. To do that, you’ll need to use one of the other methods described below.

Using the CONCATENATEX Function to Merge First and Last Name

The CONCATENATEX function is a new function in Excel that was introduced in Excel 2019. This function allows you to combine multiple cells or columns of data into one, while also allowing you to add a separator between the cells and additional text or punctuation. To use this function, simply select the cell you want to put the combined name in, and then type =CONCATENATEX(separator, cell1, cell2). Replace separator with the character you want to separate the cells with (e.g. a space or a comma), and replace cell1 and cell2 with the cells you want to combine.

The CONCATENATEX function is a great way to combine multiple cells of data, but it does have its limitations. For example, it won’t work if you want to add additional text or punctuation after the cells. To do that, you’ll need to use one of the other methods described below.

Using the CONCAT Function to Merge First and Last Name

The CONCAT function is another new function in Excel that was also introduced in Excel 2019. This function allows you to combine multiple cells or columns of data into one, while also allowing you to add a separator between the cells and additional text or punctuation. To use this function, simply select the cell you want to put the combined name in, and then type =CONCAT(separator, cell1, cell2). Replace separator with the character you want to separate the cells with (e.g. a space or a comma), and replace cell1 and cell2 with the cells you want to combine.

The CONCAT function is a great way to combine multiple cells of data, but it does have its limitations. For example, it won’t work if you want to add additional text or punctuation after the cells. To do that, you’ll need to use one of the other methods described below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is Merging of First and Last Name in Excel?

Answer: Merging of first and last name in Excel is a process of combining two separate cells containing a first name and last name into one single cell. This helps in creating a single column containing the full name of a person instead of two separate columns. This is especially useful when creating databases and mailing lists.

Q2. What are the steps to Merge First and Last Name in Excel?

Answer: The steps for merging first and last name in Excel are listed below:

1. Select the cell containing the first name, then click and drag the cursor to select the cell containing the last name.

2. Right-click and select “Merge Cells”.

3. This will merge the two cells into a single cell, containing both the first and last name.

Q3. How to Merge First and Last Name in Excel Using Formulas?

Answer: The following steps can be used to merge first and last name in Excel using formulas:

1. Enter the formula “=CONCATENATE(A1, ” “, B1)” in the cell you want combined.

2. Replace A1 and B1 with the cell references of the cells containing the first and last name respectively.

3. Press enter and the full name should appear in the cell.

Q4. How to Merge First and Last Name in Excel Automatically?

Answer: To merge first and last name in Excel automatically, you can use the Text to Columns feature. This can be done by following these steps:

1. Select the range of data containing the first and last name.

2. Go to “Data” and click “Text to Columns”.

3. Select “Delimited” and click “Next”.

4. Select “Space” in the delimiter list and click “Next”.

5. Select the destination cell and click “Finish”.

Q5. How to Merge First and Last Name in Excel with a Macro?

Answer: To merge first and last name in Excel with a macro, you can use the following VBA code:

1. Open the Visual Basic Editor in Excel by clicking “Alt + F11”.

2. Create a new macro by clicking “Insert” and “Module”.

3. Enter the following code into the module:

Sub Merge_Names()

Dim FirstName As String
Dim LastName As String

FirstName = Range(“A1”).Value
LastName = Range(“B1”).Value

Range(“C1″).Value = FirstName & ” ” & LastName

End Sub

4. Select the range containing the first and last name and run the macro.

Q6. What are the Benefits of Merging First and Last Name in Excel?

Answer: Merging first and last name in Excel provides a number of benefits, including:

1. It provides a quick and easy way to create a single column containing the full name of each person instead of two separate columns.

2. It can help to ensure accuracy when entering data, as it allows you to quickly enter the first and last name of each person in a single cell.

3. It can help to simplify the process of creating databases and mailing lists.

How to Combine First and Last Name in Excel

In conclusion, merging first and last names in Excel is a quick and simple process. All you need to do is use the CONCATENATE function and enter the first name cell reference followed by the last name cell reference. This will allow you to quickly create a single column that contains the full name of each individual in the dataset. With the help of this method, you can easily merge first and last names in Excel and take your data analysis to the next level.