Combining text in Excel is a small skill with big impact. Whether you need to combine text in excel to create candidate lists for an interview, prepare polished client summaries for a sales call, or clean up addresses for a mail merge, knowing the right methods saves time and makes your output look professional. This guide explains why you should combine text in excel, step-by-step methods, troubleshooting tips, interview-ready answers, and real-world examples you can practice today.
Why does combine text in excel matter for interviews and the workplace
Hiring managers and colleagues expect neat, usable data. When you combine text in excel you turn fragmented fields (first name, last name, title, address) into readable, actionable strings for resumes, call scripts, or CRM imports. Interviewers often ask about these skills to test practical Excel fluency — combining text is a common, real-world case they expect you to answer clearly Verve AI interview list and practice resources[^1]. Data professionals also treat text combining as part of preparing datasets for mail merges or reports, so combine text in excel skills are broadly useful.
How do you combine text in excel using the CONCATENATE function
The CONCATENATE function is the classic method to combine text in excel. Syntax: =CONCATENATE(A2, " ", B2). Example: if A2 = "Jane" and B2 = "Doe", =CONCATENATE(A2, " ", B2) returns "Jane Doe". CONCATENATE is compatible with older Excel versions, so mentioning CONCATENATE in an interview shows you know backward-compatible approaches. The downside: CONCATENATE won’t automatically skip blank cells and can get verbose with many arguments. Microsoft documents the CONCATENATE function and its usage details for compatibility and examples Microsoft Support: CONCATENATE function.
How do you combine text in excel using the ampersand operator & for quick joins
Using the ampersand is the fastest way to combine text in excel for simple tasks: =A2 & " " & B2 produces the same result as CONCATENATE. When you combine text in excel with &, the formula is often shorter and easier to read during interviews or live tests. However, like CONCATENATE, the ampersand does not skip blanks automatically, so if a middle name or address line is missing you can end up with extra spaces unless you add conditional logic.
How do you combine text in excel using TEXTJOIN for modern, clean results
TEXTJOIN is the modern solution to combine text in excel when you have optional parts. Syntax: =TEXTJOIN(" ", TRUE, A2:C2). The TRUE argument tells Excel to ignore empty cells, so when you combine text in excel with TEXTJOIN you avoid awkward double spaces or separators when fields are missing. TEXTJOIN is available in Excel 365 and Excel 2019+, and is ideal for interviews where you demonstrate efficient, robust approaches. For a practical overview of using TEXTJOIN to combine text in excel, see this practical guide that explains common patterns and examples AttorneyAtWork on TEXTJOIN.
How do you combine text in excel in real-world scenarios with examples
Names: =TEXTJOIN(" ", TRUE, A2, B2, C2) — combine first, middle, last while skipping blanks.
Addresses: =TEXTJOIN(", ", TRUE, D2:F2) — join street, city, state and ignore missing lines.
Call scripts: =A2 & "—" & B2 & ": " & C2 — build a quick client summary.
When you combine text in excel for mail merges, you ensure consistent separators and skip blanks to avoid broken addresses. If TEXTJOIN isn’t available, combine text in excel using IF() logic to suppress separators when cells are empty.
How do you combine text in excel when you face common challenges like blank cells or extra spaces
Use TEXTJOIN(..., TRUE, ...) to skip blanks when you combine text in excel.
Use TRIM() around your result to remove accidental double spaces: =TRIM(A2 & " " & B2).
Use helper columns or IF statements when TEXTJOIN is unavailable, e.g., =A2 & IF(B2="", "", " " & B2).
Standardize capitalization with PROPER(), UPPER(), or LOWER() if you combine text in excel for a polished output.
Blank cells and extra spaces are the top problems when you combine text in excel. Strategies:
How do you combine text in excel at scale with Power Query and advanced tools
For bulk or repeatable transformations, combine text in excel with Power Query. Power Query merges columns, trims whitespace, and applies consistent formatting across thousands of rows without editing formulas. If you’re preparing data for recurring reports or a CRM import, using Power Query to combine text in excel makes your workflow reproducible and interview-ready when you discuss automation Learn Power Query merging tips.
How do you prepare to answer interview questions about combine text in excel
“How would you merge first and last names into one column?”
“How do you handle missing middle names when you combine text in excel?”
“What’s the difference between CONCATENATE, &, and TEXTJOIN?”
Interviewers will probe for both method and judgment. Typical questions include:
Prepare short, structured answers: state the problem, show a solution (formula), explain edge cases (blank cells, formatting), and mention an alternative if the function isn’t available. Practice combining sample datasets — candidate lists, addresses, or client logs — so you can quickly show a live example in an interview. For common interview question lists on Excel topics, review curated question sets and practice scenarios DataCamp Excel interview guide[^2].
How do you compare CONCATENATE ampersand and TEXTJOIN when you combine text in excel
Quick reference to decide which to use when you combine text in excel:
| Method | Example | Best for | Limitations |
|---|---:|---|---|
| CONCATENATE | =CONCATENATE(A2," ",B2) | Older Excel versions | Verbose, doesn’t skip blanks |
| & (ampersand) | =A2 & " " & B2 | Fast, simple | Same blank-handling issue |
| TEXTJOIN | =TEXTJOIN(" ", TRUE, A2:C2) | Skip blanks, many fields | Requires Excel 2019/365 |
How do you show problem-solving when you combine text in excel during interviews
When asked to combine text in excel in an interview, articulate your process: clarify the goal, show a correct formula, explain edge cases, and suggest automation for scale (Power Query). For example, say: “I’d use TEXTJOIN to combine name fields and ignore blank middle names; if TEXTJOIN isn’t available I’d use IF with & or CONCATENATE, and I’d use Power Query for reusable transformations.” Mentioning both formula-level solutions and automation demonstrates depth and practical judgment — qualities hiring managers value Verve AI interview resources and prep[^1].
How can Verve AI Copilot help you with combine text in excel
Verve AI Interview Copilot gives real-time practice and feedback as you combine text in excel in mock interviews. Verve AI Interview Copilot provides sample tasks like merging name and address fields, checks your formulas, and suggests improvements. Use Verve AI Interview Copilot to rehearse answers, show live examples, and track progress before technical interviews at https://vervecopilot.com.
How should you practice to master combine text in excel before your next interview
Build a practice workbook with candidate or client datasets and try all methods: &, CONCATENATE, TEXTJOIN, and Power Query.
Time yourself to simulate live tests.
Prepare 2–3 short explanations that describe your approach and tradeoffs when you combine text in excel.
Record a 60–90 second demo you can share in interviews or use during virtual assessments.
What are sample interview questions and answers about combine text in excel
Q: How would you merge first and last names in Excel?
A: Use TEXTJOIN(" ", TRUE, FirstName, MiddleName, LastName) to skip empty parts; fallback to =A2&" "&B2.
Q: How do you avoid extra spaces when combining address parts?
A: Use TEXTJOIN with TRUE or wrap result in TRIM and handle separators conditionally.
Q: Can you automate combining fields at scale?
A: Yes — Power Query merges columns, trims whitespace, and applies transformations to entire tables.
What Are the Most Common Questions About combine text in excel
Q: Can I combine text in excel while skipping empty cells
A: Use TEXTJOIN with the skip-empty flag or create conditional formulas.
Q: Which is faster to type when I combine text in excel
A: The ampersand (&) is fastest; TEXTJOIN is cleaner for many optional fields.
Q: How do I fix extra spaces after I combine text in excel
A: Wrap TRIM around your combined string to remove double spaces.
Q: Is Power Query better when I combine text in excel for many files
A: Yes; Power Query handles bulk, repeatable merges more reliably.
Q: What if my Excel version lacks TEXTJOIN when I combine text in excel
A: Use CONCATENATE or & plus IF logic, or upgrade/complain politely to IT.
Conclusion
Mastering how to combine text in excel is a pragmatic skill that improves the clarity and professionalism of your outputs and makes you interview-ready. Practice formulas, know when to use TEXTJOIN vs. CONCATENATE or &, and learn Power Query for repeatable tasks. Start a small practice workbook today and you’ll be able to combine text in excel confidently in interviews and at work.
Microsoft Support, CONCATENATE function documentation: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/concatenate-function-8f8ae884-2ca8-4f7a-b093-75d702bea31d
Practical TEXTJOIN guide: https://www.attorneyatwork.com/combine-text-using-microsoft-excel-textjoin/
Power Query tips for combining text: https://www.excelcampus.com/powerquery/combine-text-formulas-power-query/
Excel interview questions to practice: https://www.vervecopilot.com/blog/30-most-common-advanced-excel-interview-questions-you-should-prepare-for
Sources
[^1]: https://www.vervecopilot.com/blog/30-most-common-advanced-excel-interview-questions-you-should-prepare-for
[^2]: https://www.datacamp.com/blog/excel-interview-questions-for-all-levels
