Within the function, Excel refers to the parameters as “text” because the formula is intended to combine multiple elements to form a string of text. However, as stated above, you can combine different forms:
- Text: In Excel, you insert text between quotation marks. That tells the program how it is to process the information.
- Numbers: Numbers can be inserted with or without quotation marks.
- Cell references: If you want to pass the cell contents to the function, enter the cell reference into the formula. You can either insert the reference without marking or with a dollar sign as a marker.
- Functions: You could also insert other functions in the CONCATENATE function. The output of these functions is then concatenated with all elements.
Each element within the function brackets is output next to each other. If you want to separate the various inputs from one another using spaces (for example, to write complete sentences), you have to pass these spaces to the function as arguments. A space must be entered into the function inside quotation marks (for example, “ “).
Because CONCATENATION is used regularly in Excel, Microsoft has added an operator that fulfills the same job. You are likely familiar with the concept of operators from other steps. For example, you can use the plus sign instead of the “SUM” function. Instead of CONCATENTATE, you can use ampersand ("&").