Introduction

In this tutorial, we’ll explore the TEXTJOIN function in Excel, a powerful tool for combining text from multiple cells with a delimiter of your choice. We will also pair it with the FILTER function, which allows you to extract matching data dynamically. These functions are incredibly useful for organizing and presenting data in a more readable format.

By the end of this tutorial, you’ll be able to combine text values from filtered data dynamically, saving time and avoiding tedious manual work.

Practical Uses

• Aggregating Emails: Combine email addresses from a filtered list into a single cell, separated by semicolons, to use in email communications.
• Generating Reports: Create dynamic summaries where selected names, products, or other data are listed in a single sentence or line.
• Dynamic To-Do Lists: Combine tasks from specific categories into a neat, automatically updated text-based list.

Sample Example

Imagine you have a table of sales data with columns for Region, Salesperson, and Sales Amount. You want to create a dynamic list of salespeople who achieved sales above $5000, separated by commas.

The output in a single cell could look like this: “Alice, Charlie”

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Ensure your data is structured as shown in the example table above (you can paste this table in Excel).
2. In an empty cell, enter the formula for the FILTER function to extract salespeople with sales above $5000. For example:
   =FILTER(B2:B5, C2:C5>5000)
   This will return a list of salespeople who meet the condition.
3. Next, use the TEXTJOIN function to combine these names with a comma as a delimiter. Wrap the FILTER function within TEXTJOIN:
   =TEXTJOIN(", ", TRUE, FILTER(B2:B5, C2:C5>5000))
   The TRUE argument ensures that empty cells are ignored while combining values.
4. Press Enter. The result will be a text string listing all matching salespeople separated by commas (e.g., “Alice, Charlie”).

Tips and Tricks

• Make sure your data does not contain inconsistent or unexpected blanks. Use TRIM or CLEAN functions if necessary to clean the data before applying TEXTJOIN.
• Pair TEXTJOIN with functions like UNIQUE or SORT to make the output more organized and meaningful.
• Avoid hardcoding cell ranges where possible. Use a structured table or dynamic named ranges to allow flexibility as your data grows.

Explore More

Excel is a treasure trove of functions that can transform your data management skills. Check out our YouTube channel for more tutorials and tips:
https://www.youtube.com/@SmartLinkBasics