Excel tip: How can I split the first and last name?
Date: 31 october 2006Question
How can I divide/split a cell that contains a first name and last name as in "Kay Bryan"? I want each part of the name to be a cell so that I can alphabetize by the last name.Solution
Chip Pearson has written an nice article on how to do this with the use of worksheet formulas: www.cpearson.com/excel/FirstLast.htm.If you always just have a first and a last name you can also use Excel's "Data" » "Text to columns" to have the cells split at a certain character, for example a space or comma.
- Select the list
- In the Excel menu choose Data » Text to columns
- Choose delimited, next
- Check the delimiter, for example space or comma and "treat consecutive delimiters as one"
- Click the finish button.
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For over 25 years, ASAP Utilities has helped users worldwide save time and do what Excel alone cannot.