Merge Text Instantly in Excel with a Keyboard Shortcut Here’s a fast Excel trick that lets you combine text from multiple columns without using any complex formula. Instead, you’ll use Excel’s smart pattern tool called Flash Fill, triggered with Ctrl E. Imagine first names in Column A and last names in Column B. In Column C, type the full name once and press Enter. Now hit Ctrl E, and Excel automatically fills the rest of the column by merging the names from both columns. Flash Fill works by cop