7 Techniques for Merging First and Last Names in Microsoft Excel

Method 1: Utilizing Flash Fill

Flash Fill is an intuitive feature in Excel designed to simplify data merging without requiring intricate formulas or extensive manual adjustments. It’s particularly advantageous for merging multiple names quickly.

Step 1: Open your Excel document.

Step 2: Type in the first one or two names manually, ensuring to combine first and last names for these entries.

Step 3: Move to the subsequent cell and begin typing the next person’s full name. Excel will provide suggestions based on your earlier inputs. Press Enter to confirm one of the suggestions.

Step 4: If suggestions are absent, navigate to the Data tab and select Flash Fill.

Method 2: Leveraging the & (Ampersand) Symbol

The ampersand (&) serves as a binding agent for merging various data segments. By placing it between the cells containing first and last names, Excel effortlessly combines the text into a single cell. Follow the instructions below to execute this method:

Step 1: Open the desired Excel file.

Step 2: Click on the first cell designated for the merged name. Enter the following formula and press Enter. The example uses A2 for the first name and B2 for the last name.

=A2&""&B2

Step 3: To propagate this formula across additional cells, click and drag the small square at the cell’s bottom right to fill downwards into the other cells.

Method 3: Using the CONCAT Function

CONCAT is a function in Excel that facilitates the merging of multiple text strings into a singular string. Here’s how to make use of it:

Step 1: Open the Excel file that contains the names to be merged.

Step 2: Make sure the first names are in one column and the last names in a different column. Click on the cell where you wish the combined full name to appear.

Step 3: Enter the following command and press Enter. Again, using A2 for the first name and B2 for the last name.

=CONCAT(A2,"",B2)

Step 4: To extend this formula to other cells, utilize the AutoFill handle. Hover over the cell’s bottom right corner until you see a small square (the fill handle), then drag it down or across to copy the formula to adjacent cells.

Method 4: Employing the CONCATENATE Function

This method closely mirrors the CONCAT function. However, it may accommodate merging more than two strings.

Step 1: Open the Excel file containing the names for merging.

Step 2: Ensure the first names are in one column while the last names align in another. Double-click the cell intended for the full name.

Step 3: Type the following command and press Enter. A2 contains the first name, while B2 contains the last name.

=CONCATENATE(A2,"",B2)

Step 4: To apply the formula to additional cells, use the AutoFill handle. Hover over the bottom-right corner of the cell and drag the small square down or across to replicate the formula to adjoining cells.

Method 5: Utilizing the TEXTJOIN Function

The TEXTJOIN function in Excel allows you to merge text from separate ranges or individual text strings, utilizing a chosen delimiter. Here’s the process:

Step 1: Navigate to the cell where you wish to begin combining names and enter the formula provided below. In the example, A2 holds the first name, while B2 contains the last name.

=TEXTJOIN("",TRUE,A2,B2)

Step 3: Utilize the fill handle (the small square at the bottom-right corner) to drag downwards, applying the formula to the entire column. This action will combine all first and last names accordingly.

Drag the fill handle down to apply the formula

Method 6: Using Power Query

Power Query is a useful tool that simplifies data cleaning, transformation, and merging tasks. Follow these steps to merge first and last name columns in Excel using Power Query:

Step 1: Open the Excel file containing the names you wish to merge.

Step 2: Highlight the range encompassing the first and last names. Navigate to the Data tab and select From Table/Range to open the Power Query Editor. Click OK when prompted.

Step 3: In the Power Query Editor, select both the first and last names columns. Click on the Add Column tab and choose Merge Columns.

Step 4: Select a delimiter (for example, a space) to separate the merged names. Rename the resulting column and click OK.

Step 5: Close the Power Query Editor by clicking the X icon and choose Keep when prompted.

Your data, featuring the combined first and last names, is now prepared within Excel, displayed in a new column.

Method 7: Implementing a VBA Script

A custom VBA script provides a robust and adaptable approach to amalgamating first and last names in Excel, particularly for those versed in VBA. This method proves especially advantageous for extensive datasets or those needing complex formatting, allowing for tailored adjustments in name combinations.

Step 1: Open the Excel workbook where you’d like to combine first and last names.

Step 2: Press Alt + F11 to access the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) editor.

Step 3: Within the VBA editor, right-click on any item in the Project Explorer on the left. Select Insert and then hit Module.

Step 4: Copy the code below, paste it, and then close the window to save your work.

Sub CombineNames() Dim ws As Worksheet Dim lastRow As Long Dim i As Long ' Change "Sheet1"to your actual sheet name Set ws = ThisWorkbook.Sheets("Sheet1") ' Find the last row with data in column A (assuming first names are in column A) lastRow = ws.Cells(ws.Rows.Count, "A").End(xlUp).Row ' Loop through each row with data For i = 2 To lastRow ' Assuming row 1 is headers ' Combine first name (column A) and last name (column B), and place the result in column C ws.Cells(i, "C").Value = ws.Cells(i, "A").Value & ""& ws.Cells(i, "B").Value Next iEnd Sub