by How do you split a cell in Excel? By using the Text to Columns feature, Flash Fill, formulas or Split Text tool. This tutorial outlines all the options to help you choose the technique best suited for your particular task.
Generally, you may need to divide cells in Excel in two cases. Most often, when you import data from some external source where all information is in one column while you want it in separate columns. Or, you may want to separate cells in an existing table for better filtering, sorting or a detailed analysis.
How to split cells in Excel using Text to Columns
The Text to Columns feature comes in really handy when you need to split cell contents into two or more cells. It allows separating text strings by a certain delimiter such as comma, semicolon or space as well as splitting strings of a fixed length. Let's see how each scenario works.
How to separate cells in Excel by delimiter
Suppose, you have a list of participants where a participant name, country and expected arrival date are all in the same column:
What we want is to separate data in one cell into several cells such as First Name, Last Name, Country, Arrival Date and Status. To have it done, perform the following steps:
- If you want to place the results in the middle of your table, start by inserting a new column(s) to avoid overwriting your existing data. In this example, we have inserted 3 new columns like shown in the screenshot below:
- Select the cells you want to divide, navigate to the Data tab > Data Tools group, and click the Text to Columns button.
- In the first step of the Convert Text to Columns wizard, you choose how to split cells - by delimiter or width.In our case, the cell contents are separated with spaces and commas, so we select Delimited, and click Next.
- In the next step, you specify the delimiters and, optionally, text qualifier.You can choose one or more predefined delimiters as well as type your own one in the Other box. In this example, we select Space and Comma:
Tips:
- Treat consecutive delimiters as one. Be sure to select this option when your data may contain two or more delimiters in a row, e.g. when there are a few consecutive spaces between words or the data is separate by a comma and a space, like "Smith, John".
- Specifying the text qualifier. Use this option when some text is enclosed in single or double quotes, and you'd like such portions of text to be inseparable. For example, if you choose a comma (,) as the delimiter and a quotation mark (") as the text qualifier, then any words enclosed in double quotes, e.g. "California, USA", will be put into one cell as California, USA. If you select {none} as the text qualifier, then "California will be distributed into one cell (together with an opening quotation mark) and USA" into another (together with a closing mark).
- Data preview. Before you click the Next button, it stands to reason to scroll through the Data preview section to make sure Excel has split all cells contents right.
- Just two more things are left for you to do - choose the data format and specify where you want to paste the resulting values:
- Data format. By default, the General format is set for all columns, which works well in most cases. In our example, we need the Data format for the arrival dates. To change the data format for a particular column, click on that column under Data preview to select it, and then choose one of the formats under Column data format (please see the screenshot below).
- Destination. To tell Excel where you want to output the separated data, click the Collapse Dialog icon
next to the Destination box and select the top-leftmost cell of the destination range, or type a cell reference directly in the box. Please be very careful with this option, and make sure there are enough empty columns right to the destination cell.
Notes:
- If you do not want to import some column that appears in the data preview, select that column and check Do not import column (skip) radio button under Column data format.
- It is not possible to import the split data to another spreadsheet or workbook. If you attempt to do this, you will get the invalid destination error.
- Finally, click the Finish button and you are done! As shown in the below screenshot, Excel has perfectly placed the contents of one cell into several cells:
How to split text of a fixed width
This section explains how to divide a cell in Excel based on the number of characters you specify. To make things easier to understand, please consider the following example.
Supposing, you have Product IDs and Product names in one column and you want to extract the IDs into a separate column:
Since all of the product IDs contain 9 characters, the Fixed width option fits perfectly for the job:
- Start the Convert Text to Columns wizard as explained in the above example. In the first step of the wizard, choose Fixed width and click Next.
- Set the width of each column by using the Data preview section. As shown in the screenshot below, a vertical line represents a column break, and to create a new break line, you simply click at the desired position (9 characters in our case):
- In the next step, choose the data format and destination for the split cells exactly as we did in the previous example, and click the Finish button to complete the separation.
How to separate cells Excel with Flash Fill
Beginning with Excel 2013, you can make use of the Flash Fill feature that can not only automatically populate cells with data, but also split cell contents.
Let's take a column of data from our first example and see how Excel's Flash Fill can help us split a cell in half:
- Insert a new column next to the column with the original data and type the desired part of the text in the first cell (participant name in this example).
- Type the text in a couple more cells. As soon as Excel senses a pattern, it will populate similar data into other cells automatically. In our case, it's taken 3 cells for Excel to figure out a pattern:
- If you are satisfied with what you see, press the Enter key, and all the names will be copied to a separate column at once.
How to split cell in Excel with formulas
Whatever diverse information your cells may contain, a formula to split a cell in Excel boils down to finding a position of the delimiter (comma, space, etc.) and extracting a substring before, after or in-between the delimiters. Generally, you'd use SEARCH or FIND functions to determine the delimiter's location and one of the Text functions (LEFT, RIGHT or MID) to get a substring.
For example, you'd use the following formulas to split data in cell A2 separated with a comma and space (please see the screenshot below):
To extract the name in B2:
=LEFT(A2, SEARCH(",",A2)-1)
Here, the SEARCH function determines the position of a comma in A2, and you subtract 1 from the result, because the comma itself is not expected in the output. The LEFT function extracts that number of characters from the start of the string.
To extract the country in C2:
=RIGHT(A2, LEN(A2)-SEARCH(",", A2)-1)
Here, the LEN function calculates the total length of the string, from which you subtract the position of the comma returned by SEARCH. Additionally, you subtract the space character (-1). The difference goes to the 2nd argument RIGHT, so it pulls that many characters from the end of the string.
The result will look as follows:
If your delimiter is a comma with or without space, you can use the following formula to extract a substring after it (where 1000 is the maximum number of characters to pull):
=TRIM(MID(A2, SEARCH(",", A2)+1, 1000))
As you see, there is no universal formula that could handle all kinds of strings. In each particular case, you will have to work out your own solution.
The good news is that the dynamic array functions that appeared in Excel 365 make the use of many old formulas unnecessary. Instead, you can use these functions:
- TEXTSPLIT - split strings by any delimiter that you specify.
- TEXTBEFORE - extract text before a specific character or substring.
- TEXTAFTER - extract text after a certain character or word.
For more formula examples to divide cells in Excel, please check out the following resources:
Split cells using Split Text feature
Now that you are familiar with the inbuilt features, let me show you an alternative way to divide cells in Excel. I mean the Split Text tool included with our Ultimate Suite for Excel. It can perform the following operations:
- Split cell by character
- Split cell by string
- Split cell by mask (pattern)
For example, splitting the participant details in one cell into several cells can be done in 2 quick steps:
- Select the cells you want to separate, and click the Split Text icon on the Ablebits Data tab, in the Text group.
- On the add-in's pane, configure the following options:
- Select Comma and Space as the delimiters.
- Select the Treat consecutive delimiters as one check box.
- Choose Split to columns.
- Click the Split button.
Done! Four new columns with the split data are inserted between the original columns, and you only need to give those columns appropriate names:
Tip. To separate a column of names to the first name, last name and middle name, you can use a special Split Names tool.
If you are curious to see the Split Text and Split Names tools in action, we are welcome to use the download link below. I thank you for reading and hope to see you on our blog next week!
Available downloads
Ultimate Suite 14-day fully-functional version (.exe file)
189 comments
Hello,
I am impressed with your article. In my data set, I have 15 order numbers and names separated by ";".
Example (Dummy data with only 4 order numbers ans names) in cell A1
12345;Tom
12347;Jerry
123458;Marvel
1234590;Avengers
How do I split the above cell in different columns and rows?
Let me know if i need to provide other details.
Thank you for your help:)
Hello!
To split your text line by line, copy it (Ctrl + C), then paste (Ctrl + V) into MS Word, and then from Word copy it back to the Excel sheet. Then, to split the text into columns, use any of the methods described earlier in this tutorial.
Thank you, it worked :)
Dear Team,
Please sort out the issues in excel
I have the data for
M10
M3
M35
M45
1/8
5/16
0.562
M1.1/4
I want to sort out the data
Please clear the issues
Hello!
Read the answer here
Thanks for your guidance.
My query is,
(6) AHMEDABAD-H.O. ABC BANK PRAHLADNAGAR 5771234560306
(6) AHMEDABAD - H.O. ABC BANK 557912314585
(6) AHMEDABAD - HO XYZ BANK LTD 00678787800073
(6) AHMEDABAD-H.O. CBI 371010101070
(6) AHMEDABAD-H.O. PQR BANK 015784512300
(6) AHMEDABAD-H.O. ABC 50987654321002
SO how to separate only numbers in above date as data is not in same structure?
Siva564794
5637489sudi
Sankar5749Siva
Can you spilt this data
HAI,
I HAVE A DATE IN THE FORMAT 13-12-2019. NOW I WANT THIS DATE TO BE FIT IN 10 EXCEL COLUMNS.
CAN SOMEBODY HELP ME IN GIVING THE FORMULA FOR THIS.
If we have one cell that can say something like "24 hours, 72 hours, 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks" (there can be many different possibilities in this cell), is there a way to display results in multiple cells of that same row, but instead of just displaying the words "24 hours", "1 week", etc, we need it to instead display an actual date in those multiple cells, each cell calculating the actual date based on another cell ("Start Date" field which is a date field), so one cell would display the date that is 24 hours after the Start Date, the next cell would display the date that is 72 hours after the Start Date, the next cell would display the date that is 1 week after the Start Date, and so forth and so on. I'm thinking this can either be calculated out before or after doing the text-to-columns thing? Ideally calculated out DURING the text-to-columns thing so it is done in one fell swoop. Does this make sense?
How do split up the below value using excel formula.
1. 14"x6" = for this I need the output as like: 14" 6"
2. 12.50 x 2.50 x 0.50 Inches = for this I need the output as like: 12.50" 2.50" 0.50"
Dear all,
Can you please help me to split some numbers from the below listed items?
112.74|HOURS|||4126949_Draftsperson / Senior CAD Operator - 413841 - NT
158.32|HOURS|||4400936_Principal Engineer - 417430 - NT
173.2|HOURS|||3968060_Senior Principal Engineer - 376731 - NT
I want to get 4126949,4400936 and 3968060.
Thanks,
Dan.
Dear all,
I have a document with a lot of cells with each cells several lines of data in it. I am looking of a way to separate the different lines into different cells. How can I do that?
Buffet breakfast included.
Free unlimited access to Wild Wadi waterpark™.
Resort credit from AED 200 to AED 2000 as per booked room category per stay, to be used on selected dining and spa options.
Free parking.
Name & No. separation formula.
Dear Sir/Mam,
How should I convert the data below (break the text at the mentioned points?
Q1. The difference between the local government in India before and after the Constitutional Amendments in 1992:
1. It has become mandatory to hold regular elections to the local government bodies.
2. 1/3rd positions are reserved for women.
3. Elected officials exercise supreme power in the government.
Select the correct answer using the code given below: (break)
a. 1 only (Break)
b. 1 and 2 only (Break)
c. 1, 2 and 3 (Break)
d. 2 and 3 only (Break)
Thanks in advance
Please help to use only text manipulation (i.e., MID, CONCATENATE, etc.) and/or logical and conditional formulas (i.e., IF, AND, etc.) to populate cells for:
Product Sales COGS Color Sales COGS Size Sales COGS
Text details as:
Product1.5000.500.Orange.5.2.XS.2.1
Product2.7500.1000.Blue.4.2.S.4.2
Product3.2500.200.Red.3.1.M.10.4
Product4.8000.2000.Pink.3.1.L.20.9
Product5.10000.1750.Grey.5.3.XL.30.16
Product6.1500.75.Green.3.1
Product7.4000.600.Yellow.7.3
Product8.8500.1750.Purple.9.4
Product9.11000.3500.Brown.8.4
Product10.9000.4000.White.6.3
Black.11.5
Tan.7.3
Teal.6.3
Maroon.10.4
Olive.3.2
Hi,Ekaterina.
I have did formulas length more than 15,000, couldn't save excel getting error "formula is too long. Formulas may not exceed 8192 character" any chances to overcome this
+973-33082946
What if i have:
100.00% Owned AS,100.00% Owned GU,100.00% Owned MP,100.00% Owned PR,100.00% Owned UM,100.00% Owned US,100.00% Owned VI,100.00% Owned BR,100.00% Owned BR,100.00% Owned AS,100.00% Owned BR,100.00% Owned GU,100.00% Owned MP,100.00% Owned PR,100.00% Owned UM,100.00% Owned US,100.00% Owned VI
And i want it to separate to columns: 100(1st column) AS GU MP PR UM US VI(2nd column) 100(3rd) BR(4th) 100(5th) BR(6th)
Can u help solve this?
How can do in one excel cell given below
"
Reasons for decrease:
Reasons for Increase
Variation Explained - "
need a formula to split the address in 4 cells that should not exceed more than 25 characters and minimum should be 3 characters
For Ex:
45/232A Nehru street Block 5G Kamaraj Building Hyderadad
Hi svetlana madam,
i need your help for solve this problem
stock on godown computer "55nos" printer "200nos"
some branches need computer and printer example
branch1 need computer "50nos"
branch5 need computer "25nos"
branch8 need computer "5nos"
we want show our stock details in next cell, i'm used vlookup formula but here showing full stock details "55nos"
i need branch1 show "55" stock, branch5 show "(55-50=5)" and brnach8 show "zero" stock
please help me ....as early as possible
regards
midhi
Hi svetlana madam,
i need your help for solve this problem
Stock require and Allocation details
branch name item required qty Sock allocation(need this column calculation formula)
branch 1 computer 50 55
branch 2 mouse 10 0
branch 3 printer 15 200
branch 4 lap top 20 0
branch 5 computer 25 =55-50
branch 6 keyboard 30 0
branch 7 mobile 35 0
branch 8 tablet 40 0
branch 9 mobile cover 45 0
branch 10 tablet cover 50 0
branch 11 printer 55 =200-15
Stock on godown
item qty
computer 55
printer 200
please help As early as possible.....
with regards
midhi
hi,
can you please help me to split my data as these are in this format.
Base Data
aaa-gg1tttttttttttttt/01 Term Insurance Acc/45125 12 july 1999
aaa-gg1kkkkkkkkkk/02 Family Insurance Acc/45126 12 july 1998
aaa-gg1tttttttttttttt/03 Flotter Familly Insurance Acc/45129 12 july 1996
aaa-gg1kkkkkkkkkk/03 Fixed Insurance Acc/45130 12 july 1992
and split required like this.
column1 aaa-gg1tttttttttttttt/01 column 2 Term Insurance Column3 Acc/45125 Column4 12 july 1999