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How to Fix Excel Showing the _xlfn Prefix for CONCAT on Mac
Question details
Users encounter an issue where the CONCAT function is prefixed with _xlfn, causing formula errors.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Opening or editing a spreadsheet containing the CONCAT function on a Mac device.
- Observed behavior
- Excel adds the _xlfn. prefix before the CONCAT function (e.g., _xlfn.CONCAT), indicating that the current Excel version does not recognize or support the function, often resulting in a #NAME? error.
Verify your current Excel version by opening the application and selecting 'Excel' > 'About Microsoft Excel' from the top menu bar to determine if you are running an outdated build.
Update Microsoft Excel to the Latest Version
Installing the latest Microsoft 365 or Office updates ensures your Excel version supports newer functions like CONCAT.
The CONCAT function was introduced in newer versions of Excel to replace the legacy CONCATENATE function. If you are using an older build or an incomplete installation, Excel will not recognize it and will append the _xlfn prefix.
Open Microsoft Excel on your Mac. Go to the top menu, click on 'Help', and select 'Check for Updates'.
In the Microsoft AutoUpdate tool, click 'Update' to install any available updates for Microsoft 365 or Office.
Once updated, open a new blank workbook and type =CONCAT("A","B") in a cell to confirm the function is now recognized without the prefix.
Use the Ampersand (&) Operator as a Workaround
If updating Excel is not possible, the ampersand operator is a universally compatible way to join text strings across all versions of Excel.
Revert to the Legacy CONCATENATE Function
The older CONCATENATE function is universally supported in older versions of Excel where the newer CONCAT function fails.
Use WPS Office to Seamlessly Handle Complex Formulas
If your current version of Excel lacks support for modern functions like CONCAT and you want to avoid expensive subscription updates, WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative. It natively supports advanced spreadsheet functions and opens your existing XLSX files flawlessly.
- 1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for Mac from the official website and complete the installation process.
- 2. Open Your Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open the XLSX file that was previously showing formula errors.
- 3. Edit Seamlessly: Use the CONCAT function and other modern formulas naturally; WPS Office supports them straight out of the box.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly does the _xlfn prefix mean in Excel?
The _xlfn. prefix stands for 'Excel Function'. It appears when you open a workbook containing a formula with a function that is not supported by the specific version of Excel you are currently using. It acts as a placeholder to preserve the data without breaking the document structure.
Will simply deleting the _xlfn prefix fix my formula?
No, simply deleting the _xlfn. prefix will not make the formula work. If your Excel version does not support the CONCAT function, removing the prefix will typically result in a #NAME? error. You must either update Excel or use a supported alternative function like CONCATENATE or the & operator.
Is there a difference between CONCAT and CONCATENATE?
Yes. CONCAT is a newer function introduced in Excel 2019 and Microsoft 365 that allows you to join entire ranges of cells (e.g., A1:A5) easily. CONCATENATE is the legacy version which requires you to select each cell individually (e.g., A1, A2, A3) and does not support range selections.
