excel merge two columns

[lcn1986]

I have a data file of contacts with first names of 1 contact a second file of a second contact - if there is one. I'm doing a mail merge and wanted the option of "Dear Contact1 & Contact2,". But, not all have a 2nd name. Is there an if/then formula or something I can do to create a 3rd column with the combined names?

[#2]

@lcn1986 

I don't understand why you would want to add an if condition. If the middle name is empty, it wouldn't result in an error, right?

You could try this:

first name	second name	your formula
Paul	Peter	=A1&" "&IF(ISBLANK(B1);"";B1)