Excel like a finance pro.
← The libraryPractice · 2 questions →
VBA · Syntax
String concatenation
Ampersand joins text; & is safer than + because + tries to add numbers.
Very commonDifficulty 950 · Capable
When to use it
The ampersand joins text. Use & rather than + because + tries to add numbers and errors on mixed types.
The code
- Code
msg = "Total: " & Format(total, "0.00")
Worked examples
Build a message
msg = "Total: " & Format(total, "0.00") → Text plus a formatted number
The everyday join.
Build a path
path = ThisWorkbook.Path & "\" & "out.csv" → A file path
Doubled backslash is one backslash in a string.
Plus versus ampersand
s = "5" + 1 ' 6 s = "5" & 1 ' "51" → Plus adds, ampersand joins
Why & is safer.
Worth knowing
- vbNewLine inside a join breaks lines in MsgBox.
- Join(array, ",") concatenates an array with a delimiter.
- Building huge strings in a loop is slow; collect in an array and Join once.
Where it goes wrong
- + with text and numbers raises type mismatch.
- Concatenating Null gives Null.
Related
Learn the moves here — or let Wauvel run them on your numbers.
Meet your AI CFO →One CFO-grade Excel tip a week
A short, practical email for finance operators — functions, shortcuts, and the moves that save an afternoon. Free, unsubscribe anytime.