Join a list with TEXTJOIN

Intermediate

When data is spread across multiple columns, you often need to merge those values into a single readable string. TEXTJOIN is built for this: it joins a range of cells with a delimiter you choose, and can automatically skip any blank cells.

In this exercise, each employee has up to four skills listed in columns B through E. Some employees have fewer than four, so some cells are intentionally blank. Column F ("Skills combined") should contain a single comma-separated list of each employee's skills.

How TEXTJOIN works:

=TEXTJOIN(delimiter, ignore_empty, text1, [text2], ...)

  • delimiter: the string placed between each value, such as a comma, pipe or a semicolon.
  • ignore_empty: controls how blank cells are handled. Can be TRUE or FALSE.
  • text1, text2, ...: the cells or range to join.

Your task:

In column F (rows 2 through 15), write a TEXTJOIN formula that combines the four skill columns for each employee into one comma-separated string. Add a space after the comma so it looks cleaner. Employees with fewer than four skills should show only the skills they have, with no extra commas.

Need some help?

Hint 1

TEXTJOIN accepts a full cell range as its text argument, so you don't need to list each skill column separately in the formula.

Hint 2

The first argument of TEXTJOIN should be ", ". That way, the result is comma-seperated and well spaced.

Hint 3

The text range for each row should cover columns B through E in that same row. Fill the formula down through row 15.

Related function(s)