How to Combine Columns in Google Sheets: A Step-by-Step Guide

Sanskar Tiwari

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Sanskar Tiwari

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7 min read

Learn to combine columns in Google Sheets with step-by-step instructions and improve data management with Sheetai.app.

Combining columns in Google Sheets is a fundamental skill for anyone looking to manage and analyze data effectively. Whether you're merging text, numbers, or dates, understanding how to seamlessly integrate columns allows for more comprehensive data insights and reporting.
In this guide, we'll explore various methods to combine columns in Google Sheets, ensuring you can handle your data with ease. We'll also touch upon how Sheetai.app can assist in managing spreadsheets more efficiently, though our focus will remain primarily on the functionality within Google Sheets itself.

Why Combine Columns in Google Sheets?

Combining columns can serve multiple purposes:
  • Data Organization: Merging information from different columns can help in creating a more organized dataset.
  • Efficiency in Reporting: Combined data columns can simplify the creation of reports and visualizations.
  • Improved Data Analysis: By consolidating data, you can perform more comprehensive analyses and derive actionable insights.

Basic Methods to Combine Columns

1. Using the "&" Operator

The simplest way to combine two columns in Google Sheets is by using the "&" operator. This method is particularly useful for concatenating text strings.
Step-by-Step Process:
  1. Select a Cell: Choose the cell where you want the combined result to appear.
  1. Enter Formula: Type = followed by the reference of the first cell, add &, and then the reference of the second cell. For example, =A1&B1.
  1. Copy Formula: Drag the fill handle (small square at the bottom right of the cell) down to fill the formula in the other cells.

2. Using the CONCATENATE Function

For those who prefer a function over an operator, CONCATENATE provides an alternative means of merging data from multiple columns.
How to Use:
  1. Select the Output Cell: Click on the cell where you want the merged data to appear.
  1. Type the Formula: Enter =CONCATENATE(A1, B1), replacing A1 and B1 with the cells you wish to combine.
  1. Drag to Fill: Extend the formula to other cells as needed by dragging the fill handle.

3. Using the TEXTJOIN Function

TEXTJOIN is a versatile function that allows you to specify a delimiter and whether to ignore empty cells, making it ideal for more complex data combination needs.
Instructions:
  1. Choose the Output Cell: Navigate to where you want your combined data.
  1. Input the Formula: Type =TEXTJOIN(" ", TRUE, A1, B1), where " " is the delimiter (space in this case), TRUE tells Sheets to ignore empty cells, and A1 and B1 are the cells being combined.
  1. Apply Formula to Other Cells: Use the fill handle to apply the formula elsewhere in your sheet.

Advanced Combination Techniques

Combining Multiple Rows into a Single Column

Sometimes you may need to stack data from multiple rows into a single column. This can be achieved using a combination of ARRAYFORMULA, SPLIT, and TEXTJOIN.
Steps:
  1. Select Output Location: Click on the first cell where the stacked data will begin.
  1. Enter Formula: Use =ARRAYFORMULA(TEXTJOIN(" ", TRUE, SPLIT(JOIN(" ", A1:A10, B1:B10), " "))).
  1. Adjust as Needed: Replace range references according to your data.

Leveraging Sheetai.app for Enhanced Spreadsheet Management

While Google Sheets provides robust tools for data manipulation, platforms like Sheetai.app can significantly streamline the management and analysis of large datasets. Sheetai.app offers advanced data processing capabilities, making it easier to automate repetitive tasks and manage complex data structures without deep technical knowledge.
In summary, combining columns in Google Sheets can dramatically enhance your ability to organize and analyze data. Whether through simple functions like CONCATENATE or more advanced formulas, the flexibility of Google Sheets ensures that you have the tools necessary to meet your data handling needs. Meanwhile, integrating a tool like Sheetai.app can further optimize your workflow, helping you manage your spreadsheets with greater efficiency and effectiveness.

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About the author

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Sanskar Tiwari— Founder at SheetAI & Google Sheets Expert

Sanskar is Founder at IAG Tech and creator of SheetAI. With over 3 years of experience building AI-powered spreadsheet tools, he has helped 100k+ users master Google Sheets automation and advanced formulas. He has built 24+ productivity products and teaches spreadsheet optimization on YouTube.

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