How to use the VSTACK function
The VSTACK function lets you combine cell ranges or arrays, it joins data to the first blank cell at the bottom of a cell range or array.
Formula in cell E3:
The VSTACK function is available to Excel 365 users and is in the "Array manipulation" category.
Table of Contents
1. VSTACK Function Syntax
VSTACK(array1,[array2],...)
2. VSTACK Function Arguments
| array1 | Required. The first cell range or array. |
| [array2] | Optional. The second cell range or array to merge. |
3. VSTACK Function example
The image above demonstrates how the VSTACK function merges the ranges B2:D4 (blue) and F2:H4 (red). It appends the second cell range (red) to the bottom of the first cell range (blue).
Formula in cell E4:
3.1 Explaining formula
Step 1 - VSTACK function
VSTACK(array1,[array2],...)
Step 2 - Populate arguments
array1 - B2:D4
[array2] - F2:H:4
Step 3 - Evaluate function
VSTACK(B2:D4, F2:H:4)
becomes
VSTACK({89, 68, 19;27, 84, 92;26, 98, 62}, {37, 89, 99;63, 8, 1;100, 31, 70})
and returns
{89, 68, 19;
27, 84, 92;
26, 98, 62;
37, 89, 99;
63, 8, 1;
100, 31, 70}
4. VSTACK Function errors
The image above demonstrates what happens when you try to append two cell ranges containing a different number of columns. The first cell range (blue) has three columns and the second cell range (red) has 2 columns.
The result is an array containing #N/A errors in locations where no value exists.
Formula in cell E4:
The IFNA function lets you remove #N/A errors.
Formula in cell E4:
4.1 Explaining formula
Step 1 - Stack cell ranges vertically
VSTACK(B2:D4, F2:G:4)
becomes
VSTACK(
{89, 68, 19;
27, 84, 92;
26, 98, 62},
{37, 89;
63,8;
100, 31})
and returns
{89, 68, 19;
27, 84, 92;
26, 98, 62;
37, 89, #N/A;
63, 8, #N/A;
100, 31, #N/A}
Step 2 - Remove #N/A errors
IFNA(VSTACK(B2:D4, F2:G:4), "")
becomes
IFNA({89, 68, 19;
27, 84, 92;
26, 98, 62;
37, 89, #N/A;
63, 8, #N/A;
100, 31, #N/A}, "")
and returns
{89, 68, 19;
27, 84, 92;
26, 98, 62;
37, 89, "";
63, 8, "";
100, 31, ""}
5. VSTACK Function alternative
There is unfortunately no way to merge cell ranges in earlier Excel versions unless you are willing to manually merge the ranges or use a User Defined Function.
The image above shows how to manually merge two cell ranges, this technique works in all Excel versions as far as I know, however, you are required to enter the array as an array formula in order to show all values.
Here are the steps:
- Select cell range B8:D:13. The resulting array is three columns wide and contains six rows, make sure you select a cell range that fits your data.
- Type = (equal sign).
- Select with mouse the first cell range B2:D4.
- Type a + (plus sign).
- Select with mouse the second cell range F2:H4.
- Select F2:H4 in the formula.
- Press F9 to convert the cell range to constants.
- Repeat steps 6 and 7 using the first cell range B2:D4, the result looks like this:
- Select the last curly bracket of the first array, the plus sign and the first curly bracket of the second array:
- Press Delete to remove those characters.
- Type a semicolon ;
- Steps 12 to 14 show how to enter the array as an array formula.
Press and hold CTRL + SHIFT simultaneously. - Press Enter once.
- Release all keys.
The formula has now a leading and ending curly bracket, they appear automatically. Don't enter these characters yourself.
This article describes how to merge cell ranges using a User Defined Function: Combine cell ranges ignore blank cells (User Defined Function)
6. Extract unique distinct rows from multiple cell ranges
Formula in cell B9:
Explaining formula
Step 1 - Join cell ranges
VSTACK(array1,[array2],...)
VSTACK(B3:D5, F3:H5)
becomes
VSTACK({89, "Charles", 19;
27, "Tina", 45;
26, "Linda", 62},
{89, "Charles", 24;
27, "Tina", 45;
26, "Laura", 62})
and returns
{89, "Charles", 19;
27, "Tina", 45;
26, "Linda", 62;
89, "Charles", 24;
27, "Tina", 45;
26, "Laura", 62}.
Step 2 - Extract unique distinct rows
The UNIQUE function is a new Excel 365 function that returns unique and unique distinct values/rows.
UNIQUE(array,[by_col],[exactly_once])
UNIQUE(VSTACK(B3:D5, F3:H5), FALSE, FALSE)
becomes
UNIQUE({89, "Charles", 19;
27, "Tina", 45;
26, "Linda", 62;
89, "Charles", 24;
27, "Tina", 45;
26, "Laura", 62}, FALSE, FALSE)
and returns
{89, "Charles", 19;
27, "Tina", 45;
26, "Linda", 62;
89, "Charles", 24;
26, "Laura", 62}
The bolded rows are duplicates, only one instance of those rows in the result.
7. VSTACK Function - 3D range
The image above demonstrates how to use 3D ranges in the VSTACK function. You must have data in the same location on each worksheet for this to work.
Dynamic array formula in cell B3:
7.1 How to enter the 3D range
This is entered as a regular formula, however, the 3D range needs to be explained in greater detail.
To create this reference: '1:3'!A2:C10 follow these steps:
- Double press with left mouse button on cell B3, the prompt appears.
- Type: =FILTER(VSTACK(
- Go to worksheet: 1
- Select cell range A2:C10
- Press and hold SHIFT key.
- Select the remaining worksheets, they are 2 and 3 in this example.
- Type the remaining part of the formula and repeat the above steps for the second 3D range.
- Press Enter.
7.2 Explaining formula
Step 1 - Merge data from three diffrent worksheets vertically
VSTACK('1:3'!A2:C10)
becomes
VSTACK('1'!A2:C10,'2'!A2:C10,'3'!A2:C10)
becomes
VSTACK({89,"Charles",19;
27,"Tina",45;
26,"Linda",62;
0,0,0;
0,0,0;
0,0,0;
0,0,0;
0,0,0;
0,0,0},
{89,"Charles",24;
27,"Tina",45;
26,"Laura",62;
0,0,0;
0,0,0;
0,0,0;
0,0,0;
0,0,0;
0,0,0},
{101,"Ted",21;
203,"Jennifer",24;
105,"Marge",45;
201,"Doris",65;
106,"Meghan",34;
0,0,0;
0,0,0;
0,0,0;
0,0,0}
and returns
{89,"Charles",19;
27,"Tina",45;
26,"Linda",62;
0,0,0;
0,0,0;
0,0,0;
0,0,0;
0,0,0;
0,0,0;
89,"Charles",24;
27,"Tina",45;
26,"Laura",62;
0,0,0;
0,0,0;
0,0,0;
0,0,0;
0,0,0;
0,0,0;
101,"Ted",21;
203,"Jennifer",24;
105,"Marge",45;
201,"Doris",65;
106,"Meghan",34;
0,0,0;
0,0,0;
0,0,0;
0,0,0}
Step 2 - Remove empty rows
The FILTER function filters values based on a condition or criteria.
FILTER(array, include, [if_empty])
FILTER(VSTACK('1:3'!A2:C10),VSTACK('1:3'!A2:A10)<>"")
returns
{89,"Charles",19;
27,"Tina",45;
26,"Linda",62;
89,"Charles",24;
27,"Tina",45;
26,"Laura",62;
101,"Ted",21;
203,"Jennifer",24;
105,"Marge",45;
201,"Doris",65;
106,"Meghan",34}
Useful resources
VSTACK function - Microsoft support
How to combine ranges / arrays in Excel with VSTACK & HSTACK functions
'VSTACK' function examples
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Functions in 'Array manipulation' category
The VSTACK function function is one of many functions in the 'Array manipulation' category.
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