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"

Join the Task Name value from row 1, a space, and the Task Name value from row 2:

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

Result: First Task Second Task

When you join cell values, you can use delimiters to separate the values in the range:

= [Task Name]1 + "-" + [Task Name]2

Result: First Task-Second Task

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

Result: First Task,Second Task

If no delimiter value is included, the values from the range are joined without spaces:

= [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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