JOIN function in Google Sheets
JOIN combines the values in one or more rows or columns into a single piece of text, with a delimiter between each value. Unlike TEXTJOIN it has no option to skip empty cells, so a blank cell leaves two delimiters side by side.
- Works in
- Google Sheets only
- Returns
- Text: every value, joined with the delimiter between them.
Syntax
=JOIN(delimiter, value_or_array1, [value_or_array2, ...])
| Argument | Required? | What it is |
|---|---|---|
delimiter | Required | The text to put between values, such as ", " or " | ". Use "" for nothing. |
value_or_array1 | Required | A value, or a single row or column of cells, to join. Add more values or ranges as extra arguments. |
Examples
Each result is calculated from the sample sheet by our formula engine in Sheets mode, the same one that grades the practice.
| Cell | Formula | Result | What it shows |
|---|---|---|---|
| C2 | =JOIN(", ",A2:A6) | Ana, Raj, , Lee, Kim | JOIN keeps the blank in A4, so there is an empty slot between Raj and Lee |
| C3 | =TEXTJOIN(", ",TRUE,A2:A6) | Ana, Raj, Lee, Kim | For comparison: TEXTJOIN with TRUE skips the blank |
| C4 | =JOIN("-",E2:G2) | NY-2026-0142 | Joins a row of parts into one code: NY-2026-0142 |
Try it live
This is the sample sheet. Change any value or edit a formula, and the results update.
Practice JOIN
Graded instantly in Sheets mode, then re-checked on changed data.
One line for the invite
C2, join the attendees in A2:A6 into one cell, with a comma and a space between names.Common mistakes
| What you see | Why, and how to fix it |
|---|---|
| Doubled delimiters like "Raj, , Lee" | JOIN keeps empty cells. Use TEXTJOIN with TRUE to skip them: =TEXTJOIN(", ",TRUE,A2:A6). |
| An error when joining a block of cells | JOIN takes single rows or columns. For a block like A2:C5, use TEXTJOIN, or JOIN each row on its own. |
| Dates turn into numbers | JOIN uses the stored value, so a date shows up as a serial number. Format it first with TEXT, for example TEXT(A2,"mmm d"). |
Tips
- JOIN accepts several arguments, so =JOIN(" ",B2,C2) joins two cells with a space, a short form of B2&" "&C2.
- If the list might have blanks, start with TEXTJOIN instead. It does everything JOIN does.
JOIN in Excel
Excel has no JOIN. TEXTJOIN (Excel 2019 and later) does the same job and can skip blank cells, and it works in Google Sheets too.
Questions
What is the difference between JOIN and TEXTJOIN in Google Sheets?
TEXTJOIN has an ignore_empty argument, so it can skip blank cells. JOIN always includes them. Both put a delimiter between values.
How do I combine a column into one cell with commas?
Use =JOIN(", ",A2:A10), or =TEXTJOIN(", ",TRUE,A2:A10) if the column has blanks.
Last reviewed October 2026. Every example result on this page is calculated live by the Spreadsheet Practice formula engine in Sheets mode.