How it works.
TEXTJOIN is the modern formula for combining text strings. It lets you specify a delimiter (like a comma, space, or hyphen) to place between values, and has a built-in option to automatically skip empty cells.
💡 In simple terms.
Glues text from different cells together into one cell, placing a separator of your choice (like a comma) in between.
"Think of this like threading letter beads on a necklace. You choose a separator (like a space or comma) to put between each bead (word)."
Formula syntax.
Standard Excel Notation=TEXTJOIN(delimiter, ignore_empty, text1, [text2], ...)[like_this] are optional; all other arguments are required.Formula arguments.
Every parameter accepted by the TEXTJOIN function is detailed below.
The character(s) to place between each item.
Example value:", "TRUE = Skip empty cells, FALSE = Include empty cells in output.
Default: TRUEThe first cell range or text item to combine.
Example value:A2:C2Simple example.
Step-by-Step ScenarioAssemble Full Address
Join Street, City, and Zip Code with a comma, ignoring any empty fields.
| Street | City | Zip Code | Formatted Address | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 123 Elm St | Seattle | 98101 | — | Comma Space |
| 456 Pine Rd | — | 90210 | — | — |
| 789 Oak Ave | New York | 10001 | — | — |
=TEXTJOIN(", ", TRUE, A2:C2)Evaluates TEXTJOIN over the sample table cells, placing the verified output in cell D2:D6.
Formula generator.
Full Generator WizardCustomize the argument fields below to generate a tailored TEXTJOIN formula ready to paste directly into your worksheet.
=TEXTJOIN()Expected result behavior.
Returns "Calculated output" based on sample evaluation criteria and active cell references.
Best Practices
- TEXTJOIN can combine an entire range of cells (e.g. A2:A50) in a single argument, which was impossible with CONCATENATE.
- It is extremely useful for building formatted lists, joining address fields, or creating CSV rows.
Common Mistakes
- Excel caps formula return text length at 32,767 characters. Joining thousands of cells may trigger a #VALUE! error.
Platform & version compatibility.
Verified platform compatibility matrix based on actual spreadsheet calculation engine specifications.
In Excel 2016 or earlier, concatenate cells individually using & or CONCATENATE.
Introduced in Excel 2019 and Excel 365. Available across Excel 2019, Excel 2021, and Excel 365.
100% compatible with Google Sheets with identical delimiter and ignore_empty parameters.
Frequently asked questions.
Technical Q&ACan I use TEXTJOIN across different worksheets in Excel?↓
Yes. You can reference cells located on other sheets by including the sheet name followed by an exclamation mark, for example: =TEXTJOIN(Sheet2!A2:A10). If the sheet name contains spaces, enclose it in single quotes: ='Q1 Report'!A2:A10.
What is the most common reason for errors in TEXTJOIN?↓
Excel caps formula return text length at 32,767 characters. Joining thousands of cells may trigger a #VALUE! error.
Does TEXTJOIN work identically in Google Sheets?↓
Yes, TEXTJOIN is supported in both Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets with standard evaluation behavior.