You can combine strings in Excel that have a common prefix by using the CONCATENATE function along with the LEFT and RIGHT functions. Follow these steps:
- Enter the prefix in a separate cell for reference.
- Use the LEFT function to extract the part of the string after the prefix.
- Use the RIGHT function to extract the part of the string before the prefix.
- Use the CONCATENATE function to combine the two extracted strings with the prefix.
For example, let's say you have a list of products with the prefix "Product-" and you want to combine them into one string:
- Enter "Product-" in a separate cell for reference (let's say cell A1).
- In another cell, use the LEFT function to extract the part of the string after the prefix. For example, if the first product is "Product-1", use the formula: =LEFT(B1,LEN(B1)-LEN(A1))
- In another cell, use the RIGHT function to extract the part of the string before the prefix. For example, if the first product is "Product-1", use the formula: =RIGHT(B1,LEN(B1)-LEN(A1))
- Finally, use the CONCATENATE function to combine the two extracted strings with the prefix. For example, if the first product is "Product-1", use the formula: =CONCATENATE(A1,C1,D1) (where C1 and D1 are the cells where the extracted strings are).
Repeat the above steps for all the products in your list, and you will have a new column with the combined strings.