How To Merge Two Rows of Data In Excel

Introduction

Merging two rows of data in Excel can be essential for data organization and analysis. This task can involve combining text, numbers, or both from different rows into a single row.

While Excel offers various methods for merging data, these functions can be tedious and time-consuming to learn and use. In the following sections, we'll explore how Sourcetable's AI chatbot simplifies data analysis by letting you describe what you want to do in plain English, and try it yourself today to merge rows or answer any other spreadsheet question instantly.

How to Merge Two Rows of Data in Excel

Merge Cells Add-in

Utilize the Merge Cells add-in to combine multiple rows without losing data. It is designed for merging matching rows from two tables efficiently.

Merge Two Tables Add-in

When dealing with data from different sheets or tables, the Merge Two Tables add-in is ideal for combining matching rows. Extract data from a source file in sheet1 and merge with the format in sheet2.

Concatenate Function

Combine data from multiple rows using the CONCATENATE function. For instance, use =CONCATENATE(Sheet1!L2,Sheet1!M2,...) to merge data from different columns into one row.

Using Formulas

Formulas like MID, LEFT, and RIGHT can extract and reformat data before merging. For example, =MlD(Sheet1!C2,8,3) extracts specific data from a cell.

Ablebits Tools

Download Ablebits Merge Duplicates from the Ultimate Suite for Excel to combine duplicate rows and preserve unique data. These tools are compatible with Excel 2007 to Excel 2019 and offer a 30-day free trial.

Manual Methods

For simple merges, use the Ampersand symbol or CONCAT function. Combine two cells with =A2 &" "&B2 or add text to a cell with =CONCAT(A2, " Family").

Excel Data Merging Use Cases

Analyzing Sales Performance Across Time Periods

By merging sales data from different time periods, managers can track trends and make year-over-year comparisons. This consolidated view enables better decision-making about inventory management and sales strategies.

Creating Comprehensive Customer Feedback Reports

Combine feedback from multiple survey campaigns to gain a complete understanding of customer satisfaction. This unified view helps identify patterns and areas for improvement across different customer segments.

Managing Multi-Location Inventory Systems

Consolidate product inventory data from various warehouse locations into a single, manageable spreadsheet. This provides a clear overview of total stock levels and helps optimize distribution across locations.

Streamlining HR Data Management

Merge separate employee datasets to create a comprehensive HR database. This unified system simplifies employee record management and enables more efficient HR operations.

Generating Monthly Financial Summaries

Combine weekly expense reports into a monthly overview for better financial tracking. This consolidated view helps with budgeting and allows for more accurate expense forecasting.

Excel vs. Sourcetable: A Comparison

Excel and Sourcetable represent two different approaches to spreadsheet software. While Excel relies on manual functions and formulas, Sourcetable is an AI-powered spreadsheet that lets you create, analyze, and visualize data through natural conversation. Simply tell Sourcetable what you want to accomplish, and its AI chatbot handles the complexity for you. Try Sourcetable at app.sourcetable.com to answer any spreadsheet question.

AI-Powered Analysis

Sourcetable's AI chatbot eliminates the need to memorize complex formulas or features. Users simply describe their analysis needs in plain language, and the AI generates the required calculations and insights instantly.

Data Processing and Integration

While Excel has file size limitations, Sourcetable handles files of any size and connects directly to databases. Upload CSV, XLSX files or connect your database to perform comprehensive analysis through simple chat commands.

Visualization and Reporting

Instead of manually creating charts and graphs in Excel, Sourcetable's AI automatically transforms your data into stunning visualizations based on your verbal requests.

Sample Data Generation

Sourcetable can generate sample datasets for testing and prototyping through simple chat commands, while Excel requires manual data entry or external sources.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between merging cells and concatenating data in Excel?

Merging cells physically combines adjacent cells into one larger cell, retaining only the upper-left cell's data and deleting other data. Concatenating, on the other hand, combines text from multiple cells into one cell while preserving the original cells, using either the & operator or CONCAT function.

How do I combine text from two cells into one cell in Excel?

You can combine text using either the & operator (e.g., =A2 &" "&B2) or the CONCAT function (e.g., =CONCAT(A2, " Family")). Both methods allow you to combine text while keeping the original cells intact.

What happens to my data when I merge cells in Excel?

When merging cells in Excel, only the data from the upper-left most cell is retained, while data in other merged cells is deleted. The merged cells must be adjacent, and the process can be reversed through unmerging, where the retained data moves to the leftmost cell.

Conclusion

Merging rows in Excel requires multiple steps and specific knowledge of Excel functions. While these methods work, they can be time-consuming and prone to errors.

Modern spreadsheet tools are making data manipulation easier. Sourcetable's AI-powered platform handles complex spreadsheet tasks through simple natural language commands.

Start exploring smarter spreadsheet solutions with Sourcetable today.