How to Combine First and Last Name in Excel

Method 1: join names with the ampersand

The ampersand operator is the simplest approach. Enter =A2&" "&B2 to combine a first name in A2 and a last name in B2. The quoted space matters: without it, the names run together. Fill the formula down by double-clicking or dragging the fill handle, and keep the source columns until the result has been checked.

If a part may be blank, a direct join leaves a doubled or trailing space. =TRIM(A2&" "&B2) removes extra ordinary spaces around and between the pieces. TRIM is also helpful when imported names already carry padding, although it does not remove every nonbreaking or nonprinting character.

Method 2: use CONCAT or TEXTJOIN

CONCAT makes the pieces explicit: =CONCAT(A2," ",B2). It behaves much like the ampersand for this task. TEXTJOIN is more useful when middle names or suffixes are optional: =TEXTJOIN(" ",TRUE,A2:D2) inserts one space between nonblank cells and skips empty cells because the second argument is TRUE. Both functions need Excel 2019 or later, or Microsoft 365.

TEXTJOIN does not decide culturally correct name order or whether a suffix needs a comma. Choose the output format for the actual audience, and keep separate given-name and family-name fields even when you build a display name; a single combined value is less useful for sorting, mail merge, or validation later.

Method 3: control capitalization and output values

Use =PROPER(TRIM(A2&" "&B2)) only when the source is consistently mis-capitalized and you have reviewed the exceptions. PROPER can damage names with intentional internal capitals, particles, initials, or brand styling. A safer workflow is to flag questionable records and correct them with business knowledge.

When the combined names must replace the formulas, copy the result column and choose Home > Paste > Values (or Paste Special > Values). Paste into a new column first. Deleting columns A and B while formulas still refer to them causes #REF! errors, so convert and verify before removing any source fields.

Common mistakes

A combined name is a display value, not an identity: two people can share a name and one person’s name can change, so keep a customer, employee, or student ID beside the component fields. Watch for doubled spaces, missing separators, and suffix punctuation. A suffix such as Jr. belongs in its own column; =TEXTJOIN(" ",TRUE,A2:D2) then adds it only when it exists. For a sortable Last, First list, build =B2&", "&A2 in a second column and sort on that, leaving the natural-order display name untouched. Family names with particles or hyphens, such as de la Cruz or Smith-Jones, need no special handling as long as each sits in one cell. If the result is used as a lookup key, test exact values after cleanup rather than relying on how the cell looks.