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How to Replace Spaces Between Names with Plus Signs in Excel

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to modify a list of names, such as changing 'James Brown' to 'James+Brown', by substituting the space character between the first and last names with a plus sign.

Product: Excel
Device & OS: Windows / Mac
Scenario: Formatting text strings within spreadsheet cells to meet specific data entry, formatting, or export requirements.
Observed behavior: The names currently contain a space character separating them, which must be globally replaced with a plus symbol without manually typing it.

Before you start

Before proceeding, highlight only the specific column or range of cells containing the names you want to modify to prevent accidental space replacements in unrelated data.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Find and Replace Tool

The quickest and most direct way to substitute spaces with plus signs across multiple cells is by utilizing the built-in Find and Replace shortcut.

Select the target cells

Highlight the specific column or range of cells containing the names you wish to modify.

Open Find and Replace

Press Ctrl+H on Windows or Cmd+Shift+H on a Mac to open the Find and Replace dialog box.

Configure replacement criteria

In the 'Find what' field, type a single space using your spacebar. In the 'Replace with' field, type a plus sign (+).

Execute the replacement

Click the 'Replace All' button. The system will instantly change the spaces to plus signs for all selected cells.

Data Management Tip: While replacing spaces with plus signs solves immediate formatting needs, it is generally recommended to store first and last names in separate columns. Combining data into a single cell complicates future data sorting; combining separate cells later is much easier.

Solution 2

Use the SUBSTITUTE Formula

If you want to keep the original data intact and generate the modified text in a new adjacent column, using a formula is the best approach.

Efficient Data Editing

Easily Find and Replace Data with WPS Spreadsheet

You can accomplish the exact same text replacements effortlessly in WPS Office. WPS Spreadsheet provides a robust Find and Replace tool alongside full support for all major formulas, making text manipulation fast and straightforward.

1. Select your data in WPS Spreadsheet: Open your document in WPS and highlight the cells containing the names.
2. Open Find and Replace: Press Ctrl+H to instantly trigger the Find and Replace dialog.
3. Execute replacement: Type a space in 'Find what' and a '+' in 'Replace with', then click Replace All.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xls, .csv) formats.Familiar Find and Replace interface that requires no learning curve.Supports advanced text manipulation formulas including SUBSTITUTE.Lightweight, fast, and completely free to use for everyday spreadsheet tasks.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I replace spaces with other characters besides a plus sign?

Yes, you can replace spaces with commas, hyphens, underscores, or any other character by typing your desired character into the 'Replace with' field in the Find and Replace dialog.

Why did Excel replace spaces in empty cells or other columns?

If you do not select a specific range of cells before clicking 'Replace All', Excel will apply the replacement to the entire active worksheet. Always remember to highlight your target data first.

How do I split the names into separate columns later?

You can use the 'Text to Columns' feature located in the Data tab. Choose 'Delimited', select your delimiter (such as the plus sign or space), and the software will split the first and last names into two separate columns.

Does the SUBSTITUTE function permanently overwrite my original data?

No, the SUBSTITUTE formula creates a new text string in a different cell, leaving your original data completely untouched. If you want to replace the original text later, you can copy the formula results and use 'Paste as Values' over the original column.

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