The Google Sheets function CONCATENATE is a versatile tool designed to combine multiple text strings into one cohesive string. This function is particularly useful for formatting data, merging names, or creating complex text outputs.

Syntax

CONCATENATE(string1, [string2, …])

• string1: The first text string to append.
• string2: Optional additional strings to add; can be multiple.

Example #1

=CONCATENATE("Hello, ", "World!")

This function joins “Hello, ” and “World!” to produce the result: Hello, World!

Example #2

=CONCATENATE(A1, " ", B1)

This example concatenates the values from cells A1 and B1 with a space in between. If A1 contains “John” and B1 contains “Doe”, the result will be: John Doe

Example #3

=CONCATENATE("Total: $", C1)

This function appends the value in cell C1, helping to format a total amount. If C1 contains “100”, the output will be: Total: $100

Error handling

• VALUE!: Indicates an invalid type of data, such as a number instead of text.
• REF!: Occurs when a referenced cell is invalid or deleted.
• N/A: Happens if any referenced cell contains an error or is empty when trying to concatenate.

Conclusion

In summary, the CONCATENATE function in Google Sheets is an indispensable tool for combining text strings effectively. Whether for data management or formatting purposes, understanding how to utilize this function can significantly enhance your spreadsheet capabilities.