Combine (concatenate) text or values from two or more cells with a simple formula

You can combine multiple cells to join values together in a text chain or series.

Who can use this?

Plans:

  • Pro
  • Business
  • Enterprise

Permissions:

  • Owner
  • Admin
  • Editor

Find out if this capability is included in Smartsheet Regions or Smartsheet Gov.

Users on an Enterprise plan can use AI to generate formulas. Learn more.

Users with Editor sharing permissions on a sheet can only create and edit formulas in the sheet's unlocked cells.

Create a simple formula to concatenate text

If you want to combine text from two or more cells into a different cell (concatenate the values), you can do this with a simple formula.

  1. Select the cell where you want the result.
  2. Press = (the equal sign).
  3. Choose the first cell you want to refer to in the join and press + (the plus sign).
  4. Select the second cell you want to refer to (to join the values together) and press Enter.

See the examples below to get a sense of the possible ways you can combine cell data.

Alternatively, you can use the JOIN function to combine cell values (including numbers) into a text string. Learn more about the JOIN Function.

Concatenation formula examples 

The following examples join (concatenate) the Task Name values from the sheet shown in the following image.

Sheet with two rows with Task Name column values "First Task" and "Second Task"

Make sure to press = (the equals sign) to first open the formula input box, and then enter your formula (the part after the equals sign). Otherwise, the cell treats your content as a text string instead of a formula.

Join values separated by a space

Press =, and then paste the following formula.

[Task Name]1+" "+[Task Name]2

 

Result: First Task Second Task

Separate joined values with a delimiter you want

When you join cell values, you can use a delimiter string to separate the values. The string can be multiple characters.

To separate values using a dash as a delimiter, 

Press =, and then paste the following formula.

[Task Name]1+"-"+[Task Name]2

 

Result: First Task-Second Task

To separate values using a comma as a delimiter, 

Press =, and then paste the following formula.

[Task Name]1+", "+[Task Name]2

 

Result: First Task, Second Task

Join values immediately, with no separation

To join one value immediately after another value, 

Press =, and then paste the following formula.

[Task Name]1+[Task Name]2

 

Result: First TaskSecond Task

Still need help?

The Formula Handbook describes 100+ formulas and includes a glossary of all Smartsheet functions. Use it to practice working with popular and advanced formulas and functions in real time.

Find examples of how other Smartsheet customers use this function or ask about your specific use case in the Smartsheet online Community.

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