How to Combine First and Last Names in Google Sheets

When working on Google Sheets, it is common to see the first and last names listed in separate columns, and storing them in different columns can help us analyze that data effectively.

However, there are times when we need to combine these separate columns into one. So, before you begin combining the first and last name in Google Sheets manually, read this article to learn a few tricks.

This tutorial will teach you how to use formulas that will do the work for you, for you to combine first and last names in your Google Sheets.

Stay tuned to learn how to do it.

Bonus read: How to color every other color in Google Sheets?

How to combine first and last name in Google Sheets

You can combine the first and last name into a single column in Google Sheets with the help of the concatenate function.

1. Open your Google Sheets file.
2. Type in ‘=CONCATENATE(‘ in a separate column of your spreadsheet.

3. Select the first name (example, Simon); this will enter the column and row cell reference for the first time into the formula.

4. Once the cell has been referenced in the formula, enter,“ “,.

5. Select the last name of the individual (ex. Frazer); this will enter the column and row cell reference for the last time into the formula.
6. Close the formula by adding the left-facing parentheses ‘)’ and press ‘Enter’.

You’ll know that you’ve successfully combined the first and the last name into one column if the cell containing the concatenate function shows the first and last name of the person you selected.

Additionally, you can autofill the rest of the contacts, and you might be asked to autofill the rest of the rows. Or, you can click and drag the bottom right corner of the cell to autofill.

Another bonus read: How to sort Google Sheets by date?

Other ways to combine first and last names in Google Sheets

• Using the Ampersand function

You can also combine first and last names in Google Sheets by using the ampersand operation, and this will create a space that a space separates the first and last names.

1. Chose an empty cell next to the cells you want to combine the first and last names.
2. Type in the formula ‘= A2 & B2’ (this will show the last name in only one cell).

3. To write it out in all cells in one go, copy and paste the formula in every cell and change the numbers.
4. Click and drag the left square on the lower right corner of the cell to all cells.

You will see all the first and last names in the full name row, but the names won’t show up to the right without having a space between the first and the last name.

To add space between them, you need to add two ampersands and a space in between, so just type in the formula:

• Using the Smart fill function

This option is an AI-generated option offered by Google Sheets. Its function is to generate formulas as it understands your data entry patterns and, based on that, recommends an option.

To use this option:

Type in the first and last names combined manually in the full name cells (C2) and (C3).
A window will appear, suggesting a formula to autofill the remaining cells in the same pattern.

You can also enable this option manually by following these steps:

1. Click on 'Tools' (upper menu).
2. Select 'Autocomplete'.

3. Enable all three options ‘Enable autocomplete’, ‘Enable formula suggestions’ and ‘Enable formula corrections.

Quick Note: You can also use the shortcut to enable this option with ‘CTR + SHIFT + Y’

Summing up

There are also other alternative options to combine first and last names in Google Sheets by using the Concat function, the text string option, etc. However, now that you know the most used ones, you might as well try them yourself.

You can explore other options in Google Sheets, for example, how to format a phone number in Google Sheets, or how to underline in Google Sheets; we have comprehensive articles with easy steps to follow on those too.