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How to split a cell by a delimiter in Excel and Google Sheets
Heads up: Excel and Google Sheets do this differently.
Excel
=TEXTSPLIT(A2, ",")Google Sheets
=SPLIT(A2, ",")Try it with your data
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Step by step
- 1In your spreadsheet, identify the cell containing the text you want to split.
- 2Choose an empty cell where you want the first part of the split text to appear.
- 3Enter the appropriate formula for your spreadsheet application, referencing the cell with the text and specifying the delimiter.
- 4Press Enter to see the split text appear in the selected cell and subsequent cells to the right.
Tips
- Ensure the delimiter used in the formula matches exactly with the one in your text.
- If splitting into multiple columns, make sure there is enough space available in your worksheet.
- Be aware that Excel's TEXTSPLIT function is only available in Office 365 and later versions.
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Frequently asked
What if my delimiter is not a comma?
You can replace the comma in the formula with any other character or string that acts as your delimiter.
Can I split text vertically instead of horizontally?
No, these functions split text horizontally. For vertical splitting, consider using Power Query in Excel or additional formulas in Google Sheets.
What happens if the text does not contain the delimiter?
The entire text will appear in the first cell, and the subsequent cells will remain blank.