Google Sheets CONCAT Function: Syntax, Examples & Tips

What Is CONCAT?

CONCAT joins two values end to end and returns the result as text. =CONCAT("Better", "Analyst") returns BetterAnalyst. It is the function equivalent of the ampersand operator: =A1&B1 and =CONCAT(A1, B1) produce the same result.

An important difference from Microsoft Excel: in Google Sheets, CONCAT accepts only two arguments. Excel's CONCAT can take many values and whole ranges. If you are moving a workbook from Excel, formulas such as =CONCAT(A1, B1, C1) will need to be rewritten in Sheets using CONCATENATE, TEXTJOIN, or &.

How CONCAT Works

CONCAT reads both arguments, converts any numbers to text, and places value2 immediately after value1. It does not add spaces or separators. If you want a space between the two pieces, you need to include it yourself, for example by concatenating a space onto one side first.

Basic Examples

Join two cells

=CONCAT(A2, B2)

If A2 is Jane and B2 is Doe, the result is JaneDoe.

Add a prefix to a code

=CONCAT("SKU-", A2)

If A2 contains 1042, the result is SKU-1042.

Include a space between two values

=CONCAT(A2&" ", B2)

Returns Jane Doe. The space is attached to the first value with &.

Join a label and a number

=CONCAT("Total: ", SUM(C2:C20))

Combines a label with a calculated total, for example Total: 4820.

Numbers and Dates in CONCAT

CONCAT converts numbers to text using their underlying value, not their displayed format. A date in A2 will appear as a serial number such as 45900, and a currency value loses its currency symbol. Use TEXT to control the format:

=CONCAT("Due ", TEXT(A2, "mmm d, yyyy"))

Returns something like Due Oct 26, 2026.

CONCAT vs. CONCATENATE vs. & vs. TEXTJOIN

For two pieces, CONCAT is fine. For three or more, & or CONCATENATE is simpler, and for joining a list with commas TEXTJOIN is the best choice.

Joining Whole Columns

Wrap CONCAT in ARRAYFORMULA to build a combined value for every row:

=ARRAYFORMULA(IF(A2:A="", "", CONCAT(A2:A, B2:B)))

This joins columns A and B row by row and leaves empty rows blank.

Common Use Cases

• Building IDs: a prefix plus a number, such as INV- and an invoice number
• Lookup keys: combining two fields into one key for VLOOKUP or MATCH
• Labels: a caption plus a calculated value for a dashboard
• URLs: a base URL plus a page path or parameter

Common Errors

• Too many arguments: =CONCAT(A1, B1, C1) fails in Google Sheets. Use =A1&B1&C1 or CONCATENATE.
• Missing spaces: CONCAT never adds a separator, so names run together unless you add one.
• Unexpected numbers for dates: Wrap dates and formatted numbers in TEXT.
• Ranges as arguments: =CONCAT(A1:A5, "x") does not join the whole range in a normal cell. Use TEXTJOIN for a list.

Tips and Best Practices

• The result is always text, even if it looks like a number. Wrap it in VALUE if you need a number back.
• To join with a condition, combine with IF, for example =IF(B2="", A2, CONCAT(A2&" ", B2)).
• Trim stray spaces from source data with TRIM before joining.

Related Functions

• ADD: another two-argument operator function, for numbers
• IF: join values only when a condition is met
• CONVERT: convert a measurement before labelling it