
Pin Names split to First, Middle and Last Searching LEFT for the First Name The goal was to get something like the example below. So, having the middle part messed things up for him and the Text to Columns wizard wasn’t the best solution.Ī better solution would be to use Excel formulas that work a bit like the wizard in that we’re searching the cell for spaces. I reminded him the earlier solution gave him his needed “first name.” He then told me he was also using the “last name” or surname field. After asking several questions, a small percentage of people put in their middle name or middle initial. Not too long after I solved my friend’s problem, he called to tell me my solution no longer worked. Pin Separate First and Last names in Excel

Click the first column in the Data preview section and select the Column data format type.Pin Preview of First Name & Last Name in a new column In my example, a space separates the First and Last name. In the Delimiters section, select the item that separates your data.Choose the Delimited radio button in the Original data type section.Pin Excel’s Convert Text to Columns Wizard From the Data menu, select Text to Columns.In my example, the names are in Column A. Click the column header of the column you wish to split.This new blank column is where we will put the Last Name.

For example, if your names are in Column A, click Column B.

Here are a few examples I’ve seen where too much data was in one column and needed to be split up or parsed. It’s easy to create spreadsheets without thinking about how the data will be used. How to Separate First and Last Names in ExcelĪlthough this tutorial is about a Name field, the same issue can happen elsewhere.
