Combining Data and Numbers in Excel: A Step-by-Step Guide 'kutools excel combine number of 2 cells'

Are you struggling to merge multiple columns or cells together into one cohesive piece of information within Microsoft Excel? Whether it's consolidating data from a survey, combining names with corresponding addresses, or simply tidying up an untidy spreadsheet, learning how to effectively join and arrange different elements is a vital skill for any serious user.

In this article, we'll delve deep into the world of cell merging using some powerful built-in functions and tools available within Excel. By following along with our easy-to-follow instructions, you'll be able to quickly and easily combine data from multiple cells across entire rows or even entire columns - giving your spreadsheets a professional polish they previously lacked.

The CONCAT Function: Your Ultimate Merging Ally

At its core, combining data in Excel comes down to using the right formula. Luckily for us, Microsoft has provided an incredibly useful function called `CONCAT` (short for 'concatenate,' which means 'to join or combine') that allows you to merge multiple text strings together into one single string.

To use this powerful tool:

1. Select the cell where you want your combined data to appear.

2. Type `=CONCAT(` and press Enter on your keyboard.

3. Next, select each individual piece of information (e.g., a name or address) that you wish to combine using Ctrl+Shift+A (Windows) / Command + Shift + A (Mac).

4. Repeat step 3 for every additional item you want included in the final string.

For example let's say we have three columns: 'First Name', 'Last Name' and 'Address'. If I wanted all these fields combined into one column called 'Full Information':

- Select Cell E1.

- Type =CONCAT(A2,B2,C2)&(Enter)

5. Press Enter again to execute the formula.

Alternatively, you can also use a simpler method by simply typing `&` between each cell reference instead of using CONCAT(). For instance:

= A2 & ' ' & B2 & ', ' & C2

The ampersand (&) operator will automatically join together all adjacent text strings without needing any additional functions or syntax.

But wait, there's more! Sometimes you may also want to add some extra space between each merged value. No problemo amigo/ita! Just wrap your desired separation character(s), such as a space (' '), comma (','), etc., within double quotation marks like so:

=CONCAT(A2,' ',B2,', ','',C2,'' ))

This will insert an extra blank line after every third item, making it look neater overall.

Now let's move onto something slightly more advanced: how to check if there is a specific number (in this case, 3) present within each row and then combine the following three numbers on that same row together. This can be particularly useful when working with large datasets where you need to extract certain patterns or trends.

Here's an example formula using Excel's `IF` function combined with some clever array formulas:

Assuming your sample data looks like this:

| A | B |

| ---|---|

| abcdef3ghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz | abcd |

| ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ | ghij |

We want to return the following output if there is a '3' anywhere in column A and then combine the next three characters after it with their corresponding values from column B:

Output:

abcde

xyz

ABCD

Here's how you can achieve this using an array formula (remember to press Shift + Enter instead of just Enter):

=IF(ISERROR( INDEX( IFERROR(IF SEARCH('3', A2)>0, MID(A$1:$B$100000,ASEARCH('3',$A$1:A2)-1,4),''),'') , ''),'','' ))

Let's break down what each part does:

- `INDEX` function returns a value from an array based on its position.

- `IFERROR` function returns the first argument if it is not empty; otherwise, it returns the second argument (in this case, an empty string).

- `SEARCH('3',$A$1:A2)-1` searches for '3' within cell A1:current row and subtracts 1 to get its position.

- `MID(A$1:$B$100000,ASEARCH('3',$A$1:A2)-1,4)` then uses the result from step (e) as a starting point and extracts four characters after it.

Now let's apply this logic across our entire dataset:

=IFERROR INDEX( IFERROR(IF SEARCH('3', A$1:$B$100000)>0,MID(A$1:A$100000,SEARCH('3',$A$1:INDEX($A$1:$B$100000,COUNTIFS($A$1:$B$10000,'*3')-1),4),''),'' ), '' )

This formula uses an array of `IF` functions to check each row for the presence of '3'. If found, it applies a similar logic as before - otherwise, it returns an empty string.

And voilà! With these powerful Excel formulas under your belt (literally speaking), you'll be well-equipped to tackle even the most complex data merging tasks thrown at you. Remember always to test your code thoroughly in a sample dataset first before applying any production-grade solutions directly onto live spreadsheets. Happy calculating, folks!

Kutools excel combine number of 2 cells