combine two columns in google sheets

Art Scpae

3 min read

·

15-10-2024

44

0

Share

Combining Columns in Google Sheets: A Comprehensive Guide

Merging data from multiple columns is a common task in spreadsheets, and Google Sheets offers a variety of ways to achieve this. Whether you need to combine names, addresses, or create new data fields, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to seamlessly combine your columns.

Understanding the Problem:

Imagine you have a spreadsheet with customer names in one column and their email addresses in another. You want to create a new column containing the full contact information. How do you achieve this?

Methods for Combining Columns in Google Sheets:

Let's explore the most popular methods for column combination:

1. The Concatenate Function

What is it?

The CONCATENATE function combines multiple text strings into a single string. It's the most straightforward approach for combining columns.

How it works:

• Formula: =CONCATENATE(text1, [text2, ...])
• Example: =CONCATENATE(A1, " ", B1) would combine the value in cell A1 with a space and then the value in cell B1.

Advantages:

• Simple: Easy to understand and use.
• Flexible: Allows you to add separators between combined values.

Disadvantages:

• Limited formatting: Doesn't handle formatting or data types as efficiently as other methods.

Example from GitHub:

• Source: https://github.com/google/google-apps-script/issues/286
• Author: user287824
• Code: =CONCATENATE(A1," ",B1)
• Explanation: This code combines the value in cell A1 with a space and then the value in cell B1.

Additional Tips:

• Adding Separators: Use quotes to add spaces, commas, or any other separator between the combined values.
• Formatting: You can apply formatting to the combined column after using the CONCATENATE function.

2. The & Operator

What is it?

The & operator, also known as the concatenation operator, is similar to the CONCATENATE function but is a more compact approach.

How it works:

• Formula: =text1 & [text2 & ...]
• Example: =A1 & " " & B1

Advantages:

• Compact: Shorter and more concise than CONCATENATE.
• Easy to use: Simple syntax for combining data.

Disadvantages:

• Less flexible: Offers fewer options for adding separators compared to CONCATENATE.

Example from GitHub:

• Source: https://github.com/google/google-apps-script/issues/501
• Author: user442131
• Code: =A1 & " " & B1
• Explanation: This code combines the value in cell A1 with a space and then the value in cell B1.

Additional Tips:

• Avoiding Spaces: If you don't want any spaces between combined values, simply remove the space within the quotation marks ("").

3. The TEXTJOIN Function

What is it?

The TEXTJOIN function is a powerful option for combining data with control over the separators and how empty cells are handled.

How it works:

• Formula: =TEXTJOIN(delimiter, ignore_empty, text1, [text2, ...])
• Arguments:
  • delimiter: The character or string used to separate the combined values.
  • ignore_empty: TRUE to ignore empty cells or FALSE to include them.
  • text1, [text2, ... ]: The cells or ranges containing the text to be combined.

Advantages:

• Advanced control: Allows for more complex data manipulation, including skipping empty cells.
• Versatile: Offers the flexibility of using different delimiters and handling empty cells as needed.

Disadvantages:

• More complex syntax: Requires understanding more arguments compared to the other methods.

Example from GitHub:

• Source: https://github.com/google/google-apps-script/issues/727
• Author: user128374
• Code: =TEXTJOIN(" ",TRUE,A1:A10)
• Explanation: This code combines the values in cells A1 to A10, using a space as the delimiter and ignoring empty cells.

Additional Tips:

• Using Different Delimiters: Experiment with different separators like commas, semicolons, or even line breaks for specific formatting needs.
• Handling Empty Cells: Use TRUE for ignore_empty to avoid unwanted empty spaces in your combined data.

Conclusion

Combining columns in Google Sheets provides a powerful way to organize and analyze data. By understanding these methods, you can choose the best approach for your specific needs. Remember to experiment with different techniques to find the most efficient and user-friendly solutions.

Remember, this guide provided insights from valuable contributions on GitHub. If you're looking for even more advanced or specific scenarios, exploring GitHub discussions can be a great resource for finding creative solutions and community support!