Excel question: how can I write a formula that includes many cells next to each other?

Question

A short version of the formula is "=A2&B2&C2&D2"

I have a lot of columns that I need to add to that formula and they're next to each other (columns A2-Z2). What's a faster way to create the formula, aside from clicking on each cell while typing the formula? Thanks.

Answer 1

If you are working with numbers, then there is an easy way of doing it. For example, to specifiy from A2 to D2 you could add all of those numbers together by using:

=SUM(A2:D2)

So if you are using Excel worksheet functions that deal with numbers. All you have to do is use the first column and last column in the group. Basically you are telling Excel the starting point (top left cell) and ending point (bottom right cell). So your cells could include many columns and many rows if you wanted.

However, if you are trying to work with text, Excel likes to have you enter in every cell. So if you are trying to find a shortcut regarding the cell's text then there really isn't one. Also each cell only allows about 250 characters, so combining the text of multiple cells like that doesn't make sense.

Answer 2

Excel has no standard Function that will allow us to SUM every nth cell (every 4th, for your example). However, it can be done it a number of different ways.
This link might helps you;
http://www.ozgrid.com/Excel/sum-every-2nd-nth-cell.htm

but then another work around for a faster formula:
=SUM(A2:D2)
copy this to every 4th cell, example;
=SUM(E2:H2)

Good luck.

Answer 3

If you're indicating cells next to each other an example would be:
cells A2 to C2
formula version: =A2:C2

It's been a while since I've used Excel though.