If you use Microsoft Excel, you may need to combine text from several cells into one. This is useful for combining first and last names, addresses, and other data. Fortunately, Excel provides several options for doing this quickly and efficiently. In this guide, we’ll walk you through three simple ways to combine text from multiple cells into one.

Method 1: Using the CONCATENATE Function (Excel 2016 and Earlier)

The CONCATENATE function is a simple method for combining text from multiple cells.

Steps to use CONCATENATE:

1. Click on the cell where you want the combined text.

2. Type the formula:=CONCATENATE(A1, B1)

3. Press Enter.

4. If you want a space between the text, modify the formula:

=CONCATENATE(A1, " ", B1)

5. Drag the fill handle down to apply the formula to multiple rows.

NOTE: The CONCATENATE function is available in older versions of Excel but has been replaced by CONCAT in newer versions.

ALSO READ: How to Force Quit Excel on Windows

Method 2: Using the Ampersand (&) Operator (Quick and Simple)

If you want an easy-to-remember method, the ampersand (&) operator is good for you.

Steps to use the ampersand operator:

1. Click on the target cell.

2. Type the formula:=A1 & B1 and Press Enter.

3. To add a space, use:=A1 & " " & B1

4. Drag the fill handle to apply to other rows.

Method 3: Using the TEXTJOIN Function (For Advanced Users)

The TEXTJOIN function is perfect when you need to add multiple cells with a separator.

Steps to use TEXTJOIN:

1. Click on the cell where you want the result.

2. Type the formula:=TEXTJOIN(" ", TRUE, A1, B1, C1) and then Press Enter.

3. Drag the fill handle down for multiple rows.

Watch Video Here:

Bonus: Merging Columns Without Formulas.

If you do not wish to use formulas, follow these steps:

• To merge text, use one of the formulas provided above.
• Copy the merged column.
• To convert formulas into static text, right-click and then select Paste Special > Values.
• Delete the original columns as needed.

Final Thoughts

Combining text in Excel is simple and can be accomplished using functions such as CONCATENATE, CONCAT, TEXTJOIN, or the & operator. When working with multiple columns, TEXTJOIN is the most efficient method. For quick merging, the ampersand operator is a simple option.

Mastering these methods will save you time and improve your Excel data management!

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What is MS Excel?

Microsoft Excel (MS Excel) is a powerful spreadsheet software developed by Microsoft. It is widely used for data management, calculations, visualization, and analysis. Excel is part of the Microsoft Office suite and is available for Windows, macOS, and online as Microsoft 365.

Excel provides a grid-based interface where data is stored in cells, which are arranged in rows and columns. It is extensively used for various purposes such as accounting, business analytics, data science, education, project management, and more.

Why is MS Excel Important?

MS Excel is essential for businesses, students, accountants, analysts, and anyone who needs to organize and analyze data. It helps users perform tasks like:

• Creating tables and spreadsheets
• Performing mathematical calculations
• Data visualization with charts and graphs
• Automating tasks using formulas and functions
• Data analysis and reporting
• Budgeting and financial planning
• Tracking expenses and revenue
• Managing employee or student data
• Generating reports and dashboards

Features of MS Excel

ALSO READ: How to Auto-Adjust Cell Width and Height in Excel

1. Spreadsheets and Cells

Excel consists of workbooks containing multiple worksheets. Each worksheet is made up of cells arranged in rows and columns. A standard worksheet consists of 1,048,576 rows and 16,384 columns, providing ample space for data entry and management.

Each cell has a unique reference, known as the cell address, which is defined by its row and column number (e.g., A1, B2, C3).

2. Formulas and Functions

Excel has built-in formulas and functions to perform calculations automatically. Some of the most widely used Excel functions include:

• SUM() – Adds numbers
• AVERAGE() – Finds the average of numbers
• IF() – Performs logical tests
• VLOOKUP() – Searches for a value in a table
• HLOOKUP() – Searches for a value in a row
• COUNTIF() – Counts the number of cells based on a condition
• LEN() – Finds the length of text in a cell
• LEFT() and RIGHT() – Extracts specific characters from text
• NOW() and TODAY() – Returns the current date and time

3. Charts and Graphs

Excel provides various chart types to help visualize data and trends. Some commonly used chart types include:

• Column Chart – Best for comparing values across categories.
• Pie Chart—Ideal for showing percentages.
• Line Chart – Useful for trend analysis over time.
• Bar Chart – Similar to column charts but displayed horizontally.
• Scatter Chart—Great for identifying relationships between variables.
• Histogram – Used for frequency distribution analysis.

4. Data Filtering and Sorting

Users can sort data in ascending or descending order and filter it to display only relevant information. Filters allow users to analyze specific subsets of data without modifying the entire dataset.

5. Pivot Tables

A Pivot Table is a powerful data summarization tool that enables users to quickly extract meaningful insights from large datasets. With Pivot Tables, users can:

• Group and categorize data dynamically
• Perform calculations without modifying raw data
• Create interactive reports for better insights

6. Conditional Formatting

Excel allows users to highlight data based on conditions using colors and formatting. For example, conditional formatting can be used to:

• Highlight the top 10% of values
• Change the color of negative numbers
• Identify duplicate values
• Apply data bars, color scales, and icon sets

7. Macros and Automation

Users can automate repetitive tasks using macros and VBA (Visual Basic for Applications). Macros help save time by recording a sequence of actions and executing them with a single click.

8. Data Validation

Excel provides data validation tools to control the type of data entered in cells. This feature helps prevent errors and maintains data integrity. Examples include:

• Restricting a cell to accept only numbers
• Limiting input to a predefined list of options
• Setting a maximum or minimum value for numeric entries

How to Use MS Excel—A Step-by-Step Guide

ALSO READ: How to Create a qbj File From Excel

Step 1: Opening Excel

• Open MS Excel from the Start menu (Windows) or Applications (Mac).
• Click on Blank Workbook to start a new spreadsheet.

Step 2: Entering Data

• Click on a cell and type data.
• Press Enter to move to the next row or Tab to move to the next column.

Step 3: Using Formulas

• Click on a cell and type⁣ = followed by the formula.
• Example: Adds=SUM(A1:A5)The values in cells A1 to A5.

Step 4: Creating Charts

• Select the data.
• Go to Insert > Charts and choose the desired chart type.

Step 5: Saving the File

• Click on File > Save As and choose a location to save the file with an.xlsx extension.

Step 6: Applying Conditional Formatting

• Select the range of cells.
• Go to Home > Conditional Formatting.
• Choose a rule, such as highlighting values greater than a certain number.

Step 7: Creating a Pivot Table

• Select the dataset.
• Go to Insert > PivotTable.
• Choose the fields to analyze.

Conclusion

MS Excel is a must-have tool for anyone dealing with data. Whether you’re a student, business professional, data analyst, or accountant, learning Excel can improve efficiency and productivity. With its powerful features and automation capabilities, Excel remains the most widely used spreadsheet software in the world. Start exploring Excel today to master its powerful capabilities!

FAQs

Q1. What is MS Excel used for?

Ans: MS Excel is used for creating spreadsheets, performing calculations, data analysis, visualization, and automation.

Q2. Is MS Excel free?

Ans: No, MS Excel is a paid software, but Microsoft offers a free version with limited features online through Microsoft 365.

Q3. Can I learn Excel online?

Ans: Yes, there are many free and paid online courses, including Microsoft’s official training.

Q4. What are the best Excel functions?

Ans: Some of the best functions include SUM, AVERAGE, VLOOKUP, COUNTIF, and IF.

Q5. How can I improve my Excel skills?

Ans: Practice regularly, take online courses, and use Excel for real-world tasks.

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QBJ stands for QuickBooks Journal Entry. If you create a QBJ file from Excel, you can easily do it by following the steps, provided below.

Creating a QBJ (QuickBooks Journal Entry) file from Excel entails transforming your data from Excel into a structured JSON file in the QBJ format. Here’s how to do it:

Steps to Create a QBJ File from Excel:

Step 1: Prepare Your Excel Data

Make sure the following journal entry fields are included in your Excel file:

• Account Name (or Account Number)
• Date
• Debit Amount
• Credit Amount
• Memo/Description
• Reference Number
• Currency (if applicable)

A tabular format should be used to organize your data, with each row denoting a diary post.

Step 2: Convert Excel to JSON Format

The structure of QuickBooks QBJ files is JSON. You need to:

• You can either process your Excel file directly in Python or save it as a CSV file.
• To transform the Excel data into a JSON structure that is compatible with QBJ, use a script (such as Python).

Step 3: Generate the QBJ (JSON) File

Below is a simple Python script to convert an Excel file to QBJ:

ALSO READ: How to Create a NACHA File in Excel

Step 4: Import QBJ into QuickBooks

• Open QuickBooks.
• Go to File → Import → Journal Entries.
• Select your generated QBJ file and follow the on-screen instructions.

Instead, you can use the Conversion Tool:

If scripting doesn’t feel comfortable to you, you can:

• For formatting and saving as JSON, utilize Excel Macros (VBA).
• Look up “Excel to QBJ converter” online to use a converter.

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Inserting multiple rows in an Excel spreadsheet is not a big deal. To add multiple rows at once, simply use the quick context menu option or a keyboard shortcut.

There are several more ways you can insert multiple rows, some of the simplest and quickest ways are described below that will definitely help you.

Why do I need to insert multiple rows in Excel?

Inserting multiple rows in Excel is useful if you’re in the middle of a project and realize you need to include more information. Instead of starting a new worksheet, you can simply add new rows to an existing one. This can be useful for those who receive additional data while working on a project.

ALSO READ: How to Remove Blank Rows in Excel

To Insert Multiple rows in Excel, follow these steps:

Method 1: Using the Right-Click Menu

Step 1: Select the Number of Rows:

• Select the number of rows you want to add. For example, if you want to add Four new rows, first select four rows in your spreadsheet to which the new rows will be added.

Step 2: Right-Click on the Selected Rows:

• Now Right-click one of the selected rows, then select “Insert” from the menu that appears.

Step 3: Insert:

• You’ll notice a small “Insert” box on your screen. In this box, select the “Entire Row” option and click “OK.”

After clicking “OK” Excel will add a certain amount of rows to the spreadsheet you are editing.

Method 2: Using the Insert Menu

Step 1: Select the Rows:

• You must first select the row, but this is dependent on how many rows are being inserted. For instance, if we want to insert two rows, we must first select them. If we need to insert three rows, we must choose three rows, and so on.

Step 2: Go to the Insert Menu:

In the image above, we have selected three rows. Now, right-click on the column header and select “Insert.” It would insert three rows in a single shot. Or Go to the “Home tab” and look for the “Cells” group. Click “Insert” and select “Insert Sheet Rows.”

After clicking “insert” four row are added automatically because we selected four row if you need more or less, you can choose willingly.

Method 3: Using Keyboard Shortcut

Step 1: First of all, we must select the cell above which we wish to insert the row. Click “Insert” and select “Insert Sheet Rows.”

Step 2: Use the Keyboard Shortcut:

Now Press Ctrl + Shift + “+” (plus) on your keyboard. Excel will insert the same number of rows that you specified.

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Creating a spreadsheet often involves making a mess by copying and pasting data throughout your document. During this process, you may leave some blank rows, which can mess up your data and make your sheet appear unfinished.

Removing blank rows in Excel cleans up your data and makes it easier to read.

There are several ways to remove a blank row from an Excel sheet. In this article, I will provide you with some of the easiest and quickest ways to remove blank rows and make them well structured and readable.

Here are some Methods to Remove Blank Rows in Excel:

Method 1: Using Filter and Remove Blank Rows

Basically, this method is used when the data is too big.

Step 1: Select all data: To select all cells, click in the top-left corner of your worksheet.

Step2: Now Apply Filter: Go to the “Data” tab and select “Filter.”

Step 3: Filter Blank Rows: Click the filter arrow, then uncheck “Select All.” Then scroll to the bottom of the list and select the ‘Blanks‘ option. Click ‘OK‘.

Step4: Select Blank Rows: Click the first blank row number, then press Ctrl + Shift + End to select all visible blank rows.

Step 5: Now Delete Blank Rows: After selecting the blank rows, right-click on any of the selected row numbers and choose “Delete Row“.

Step 6: After clicking “DELETE ROW, a dialog box will open, and you have to click “OK.” to remove the Blank rows.

Step 7: To remove the applied filter, navigate to the “Data” tab and select the “Clear” button.

ALSO READ: How to convert excel to google sheet

Method 2: Using a Formula to Identify Blank Rows

This method is particularly useful for large datasets to prevent data removal errors. Following is a step-by-step guide to removing the black row using the COUNTA formula.

1. Insert a New Column: Add a helper column next to your data.

2 Use a Formula: In the helper column, use a formula like =COUNTA(A2:Z2) (adjust the range according to your data). This formula counts non-blank cells in each row.

3. Filter by Zero: Apply a filter to the helper column and filter for rows where the count is zero.

4. Delete Filtered Rows: Delete all rows that appear after filtering.

Method 3: Using VBA (for Advanced Users)

Use this method with large datasets or tasks that are repetitive. This method automates the process, saving time and minimizing errors.

1. Press Alt + F11 to open the VBA editor.

2. Insert a New Module: In the VBA editor, navigate to the menu and select Insert > Module. This will create a new module for you to write your code in.

3. Paste the following code:

Sub DeleteBlankRows()
Dim Rng As Range
Dim i As Long
Set Rng = ActiveSheet.UsedRange
For i = Rng.Rows.Count To 1 Step -1
If Application.WorksheetFunction.CountA(Rng.Rows(i)) = 0 Then
Rng.Rows(i).EntireRow.Delete
End If
Next i
End Sub

4. Run the macro by pressing F5.

This VBA script will loop through your data, removing any blank rows.

The above Excel tips will help you remove the blank row from your dataset. Removing the blank row helps the data look more attractive and also makes it readable. 

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Drop-down is a Microsoft Excel feature in which you can select an item from a list rather than typing its own values.

There are many ways to create a drop-down in Excel, but in this article, we will learn the three best, simple, and fastest ways to create it. 

ALSO READ: How to merge cells in excel

Here are the three ways to create a Drop-Down list in Excel:

Method 1: Create Drop-Down List in Excel Using Data from Cells

Assume you have a column of cells, as shown below:

Step 1: Now Select the Cell

Select the cell (or cells) where you want the drop-down list to appear.

Step 2: Now Open Data Validation

Go to the Data Tab that displays on the ribbon, then click on Data Validation in the Data Tools group.

Step 3: Now Set Up Data Validation

Inside the setting tab of the Data Validation dialog box, set the following:

• Allow: Choose “List”.
• Source: Click in the Source box, then choose the range of cells that contains the items you prepared. If your list is on another sheet, you can switch to it and choose the range.
• Then Click OK to close the Data Validation dialog box.

Step 4: Finalize and Preview the Drop-Down List in Ms Excel:

RELATED: How to freeze a row in excel

Method 2: Create a Drop-Down in Excel by manually entering data:

Creating a drop-down list in Excel manually involves the following steps:

Step 1: Go to Data Tab

Click on the “Data” tab in the Ribbon.

Step 2: Now Open Data Validation

Go to the Data Tab that displays on the ribbon, then click on Data Validation in the Data Tools group.

Step 3: Data Validation Dialog Box:

• In the Data Validation dialog box, go to the “Settings” tab.
• In the “Allow” drop-down menu, select “List”.

Step 4: Enter List Items:

• In the “Source” box, type the items manually , separated by commas. For example: Item 1, Item 2, Item 3, and Item 4.
• Then Click “OK”.

After clicking “OK” your Drop-Down is successfully created, and you can select your item by clicking on the ▼ icon.

Method 3: Create a drop-down List in Excel using the “OFFSET” formula:

To create a dynamic drop-down list in Excel using the OFFSET formula, follow these steps:

Step 1: First of all Enter Your List Items:

For example, assume you have the list of “Popular Authors” index as displayed below:

Step 2: Now Select the cell

Select the cell where you want to create Drop Down list (cell C4 in this model).

Step 3: Now Go to the “Data Tab” and Select “Data Validation” in the “Data Tools” Selection

Step 4: Data Validation Dialog Box:

• In the Data Validation dialog box, go to the “Settings” tab.
• In the “Allow” drop-down menu, select “List”.

In the Source field, type the following formula: “=OFFSET($A$2:$A$6)”. Make sure the In-cell drop-down option is checked.

Click OK. This will create a drop-down list of all the organic product names (as shown below).

Your drop-down list has now been created in the selected cell. Any new items added to column A will be automatically updated in the list.

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Excel’s freezing rows feature enables you to lock a particular row at the top of your spreadsheet so that it stays visible when you scroll through large amounts of data.

This is an essential feature because an Excel sheet can have up to 1,048,576 rows and more than 16,000 columns.

You can scroll through your data without losing sight of the most essential data at the top by freezing rows, which allows you to lock the top part of your sheet.

In this blog, we will learn how to freeze rows in Excel on both Windows and Android in a very simple way.

Follow these instructions to freeze rows in Excel on Windows:

Step 1: Open your Excel worksheet.

Step 2: Select the row below the one you want to freeze.

For example, if you want to freeze the top row (row 1), you need to select row 2.

Step3: Go to the “View” tab on the Ribbon.

Step 4: Select “Freeze Top Row” if you want to freeze the top row only. Select “Freeze panes” if you want to freeze multiple rows.

ALSO READ: How to merge cells in excel

Follow these instructions to freeze rows in Excel on Mac:

Step 1: Open your Excel worksheet.

Step 2: Select the row that you want to freeze.

Similar to Windows, if you want to freeze the top row, you need to select row 2.

Step3: Go to the “View” tab on the Ribbon.

Step4: Click “Freeze Panes”.

Step 5: Select “Freeze Top Row” or “Freeze Panes,” depending on your requirement.

Watch the video here:

Quick Tips:

• Use the “Freeze Panes” option after selecting the cell below the row and to the right of the desired column if you want to freeze the top row as well as the first column.
• If you want to “Unfreeze panes,” Go to the “View” tab, click “Freeze Panes,” and then choose “Unfreeze Panes.”

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Microsoft Excel has a very useful feature called cell merging, which allows you to combine two or more cells into one. This is particularly useful for improving the visual organization of your data or creating headers that cover multiple columns or rows.

In this blog post, we look over various methods for merging Excel cells, as well as tips and tricks to help you improve your spreadsheet skills.

To merge values from multiple cells into a single cell, use the “CONCAT” function or the “&” symbol.

Method 1: Use “Home Tab” for cells merging

Step1: First of all, select the Cells You Want to Merge

Select the cells that you want to merge. To select the cells click and drag your cursor across them, or hold down the Shift key and use the arrow keys.

Step 2: Go to the “Home Tab” on the top Ribbon

You can also use the shortcut key. Press the “Alt” key once and release it, then press “H” to open the “Home tab” quickly.

Step 3: Select the “Merge & Center” on the top of the toolbar.

For shortcut you can simply pressed “Alt” and then “H” to get to the “Home tab”, after that you can press “M” and then “C” to “Merge and Center” your cells.

Step 4: To “Unmerge” the merge cell you have just reverse the step.

• Select the merged cell.
• Go to the Home tab.
• Click the dropdown“▼” icon next to the Merge & Center button.
• Select Unmerge Cells.

ALSO READ: What is the excel formula for subtracting

Method 2: Using “CONCATENATE” Formula to merge cells

Suppose that you have data in two different cells (like A1 and B1) and you want to combine both cells in a single cell, just follow the step by step direction that given below:

Step1: Now select the cell where you wish to combine the cells.

For example “C1”

Step 2: Then enter the Formula “=CONCATENATE(A1,B1)” to merge the cells.

Step 3: Now press the “Enter” key

After pressing the “Enter” key, cells “A1” and “B1” will be combined in cell “C1.”

Step 4: If you want space between the value you can use the formula =CONCATENATE(A1, ” “, B1)

Step 5: If you want to put any word between the value you can simply use the Formula: =CONCATENATE(A1," and ",B1

You can also use “&” operator for Concatenation instead of “CONCAT”

• =A1&B1 merges the values of A1 and B1 in the same way that =CONCAT(A1,B1).
• A1,” “,B1 will combine the cell values and add a space between them, similar to =CONCAT(A1,” “,B1).

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Microsoft Excel is one of the most powerful spreadsheet application that makes easier working with numbers and other values.

Unfortunately, Excel does not have an inbuilt common “SUBTRACT” formula or function. Instead, you can use the minus sign (-), also known as the dash (-), which is an arithmetic operator and subtraction sign, to perform a subtraction between two numbers.

In Excel, there are several ways to subtract numbers and other values. You can check them out below and select the one that best matches your requirements.

Subtract Using Subtraction Formula

Method 1: Using minus sign (-) (Num1-Nub2)

Step 1: Type = to begin the formula

Step 2: Type the first number, then the minus sign, and after that second number.

Step 3: Press the Enter key to apply the formula.

Method 2: How to Subtract Cells in Excel

Step 1: Type = to begin the formula.

Enter the equals sign (=) to begin your formula in the cell where you wish to output the difference.

Step 2: Click on the first cell you want to subtract from (the minuend).

Step 3: Type "-“

After the quantity that you wish to subtract, enter the negative sign (-).

Step 4: Click on the cell you want to subtract (the subtrahend).

Step5: Press the Enter to apply the formula

ALSO READ: How to Remove Duplicates in Excel? 2 Quick and Simple Ways

Subtract Multiple Cells from One Cell in Excel

Method 1: Using Minus sign (-)

To subtract cells A2–A5 from A1, use this formula.

=A1-A2-A3-A4-A5

Result:

Method 2: Using SUM function

To subtract multiple cells from one cell using the SUM function in Excel, you can use the SUM function to add up the values you want to subtract and then subtract that sum from the main cell.

The formula look like this:

=A5 – SUM(A6:A7)

Result:

This post was aimed to provide you with some knowledge about the different techniques you can use to perform subtraction of values, rows, and columns in Microsoft Excel.

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Removing duplicates from the Excel data is a kind of complex task if you are new to Excel and the data is big, but don’t worry; in this blog we will learn how to remove duplicates in Excel.

There are many ways to remove duplicates from Excel, but i will show you 2 simple and quick ways to do it.

Here are the 2 ways to Remove Duplicates in Excel:

Method 1: Using the Remove Duplicate Button:

You should always copy the original data to another worksheet before deleting the duplicates to avoid accidentally losing any information.

Step 1: Select the range of cells, columns, or rows where you want to remove duplicates.

Step 2: Go to the “Data” tab on the Excel ribbon.

Step 3: Look for the “Remove Duplicates” button, usually found in the “Data Tools” group.

Step 4: Click on “Remove Duplicates.

Step 5: “A dialog box will appear, showing all columns in your selected range. Excel will automatically select all columns by default. You can unselect any columns where you don’t want to check for duplicates.

Step 6: Click “OK” to remove duplicates based on the selected columns.

Method 2: Using the UNIQUE Formula

The UNIQUE function is one of the easiest ways to remove duplicates in Excel. You just need to follow some steps that are mentioned below that help you to remove the duplicates:

Step 1: Select a range: To get rid of duplicates, highlight the cell range that has to be removed.

Step 2: Enter the UNIQUE formula: Type the formula = UNIQUE(range) in another cell, replacing “range” with the actual cell range you chose. A distinct set of values from the chosen range will be returned by this formula.

Step 3: Press the Enter key: Hit the Enter key after entering the formula. Within the chosen cells, the unique values will be shown.

Step 4: Copy/Paste the Original : You can copy the results and paste them over the original range if you wish to replace the original data with unique numbers. Or, if you want to preserve the original data, you might copy and paste the unique values somewhere else.

Watch here the full video tutorial “how to remove duplicates in excel Using the UNIQUE Formula:

Final Thought

In conclusion, there are multiple ways to remove duplicates in Excel, but in this article, we share only the two easiest and fastest ways that anyone, even a newbie, can do. According to me, using the UNIQUE function is easier than other ways.

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