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Excel name split

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 Often in Excel one gets name data all in one cell where ideally one wants the first and last name in separate cells. Even if it's only a few records there's a quick and dirty way of converting them in place if it's in the form of "Last, First".
  1. Create a column to the right of the name column for the first name. You can rearrange later.
  2. Highlight the range of name cells
  3. Use the Find & Replace command (CTRL+H) and in the Find what box type ", ". That's a comma and a space. In the Replace With box type ",". That's a comma only.  Then click the Replace All button. Since you have it highlighted it will be limited to the highlighted range.
  4. With the range still selected look under the data menu and select the Text to Columns item.
  5. In the first dialog box choose Delimited and click Next .
  6. In the next dialog box choose only the comma as a delimiter and hit the Finish button. This will blow all the first names over into the next column.

The reason #3 is important is subtle and it often gets missed. If you don't do it the first name column may look OK but there is actually a space in front of all the names. Most times this isn't important but as we rely more an more on automation a computer sees " Fred" and something different from "Fred" and formulas, macros or other elements may not work correctly.

 
Practical Cost-Effective Solutions