How to use the CONCATENATE function in Excel

This function combines multiple text strings into a single string.

Syntax:
CONCATENATE(text1, [text2], …)

Arguments:

• text1, text2, … (up to 30 items):
  Strings, numbers, or cell references to be joined
  • Can include hardcoded text in quotes ( » « )
  • Numbers are converted to text
  • Cell references must be to single cells

Key Features:

1. No Automatic Delimiters:
   • Joins items exactly as provided
   • Add spaces/commas manually as separate arguments
2. Alternatives:
   • & operator (simpler syntax):
     =A1 &  »  » & B1
   • TEXTJOIN() (Excel 2016+) for advanced concatenation
3. Special Characters:
   • Space:  »  » or CHAR(32)
   • Line break: CHAR(10)

Example:
Data:

• B19: « Robin »
• A19: « Counts »
• C19: 12/06/1964

Formula:

=CONCATENATE(

  B19,  » « , A19,  » was born « , TEXT(C19, »MM/DD/YYYY »), « . « ,

  « This was a « , TEXT(C19, »DDDD »), « . »

)

Result:
« Robin Counts was born 12/06/1964. This was a Sunday. »

Limitations:

• No range references (must list cells individually)
• No built-in delimiter system
• Limited to 30 arguments