When data is in two separate cells and you want it in a single cell, you can use a formula with the "&" operator. For example, if you have a list of first names in column A and last names are in column B, enter the following formula in cell C1:

=A1 & B1

If A1 contains "Nancy" and B1 contains "Davolio", C1 would then display "NancyDavolio". To add a space between the first and last name, use this formula, typing a space between the quote marks:

=A1 & " " & B1

If you want cell C1 to read "Davolio, Nancy", so that you can sort the combined data by the last names, use this formula, with a comma and a space between the quote marks:

=B1 & ", " & A1

To combine all of the names in your list, copy the formula to the rest of the cells in column C. Then, to store the combined names as text instead of formulas:

1. Click column C.
2. Click Copy on the Edit menu.
3. Click Paste Special on the Edit menu.
4. Click Values.

For more information about using the "&" operator in formulas, type operators in the Office Assistant or on the Answer Wizard tab in the Excel Help window, and then click Search.