How to Separate Text in Excel?

Excel is a powerful tool that can be used to manipulate text in various ways. One of the most common tasks is to separate text into multiple columns. This can be done using the Convert Text to Columns Wizard. The Convert Text to Columns Wizard splits text into multiple cells simultaneously. The wizard helps place each word of the text in a different column. This feature is handy when managing or analysing data or organising databases. 

Why Separate Text in Excel?

Separating text in Excel is a crucial step in data preparation, enabling you to organize and analyze information more effectively. Here are some of the reasons why text separation is essential:

• Extracting data from combined cells: When multiple data points are stored within a single cell, splitting the text allows you to separate each piece of information for further analysis.
• Cleaning and formatting data: Separating text can help you clean up messy data, such as removing unwanted characters or formatting inconsistencies.
• Importing data from external sources: When importing data from external sources, text separation may be necessary to ensure consistent formatting and facilitate analysis.

Explore MS Excel courses to sharpen your data analysis and management skills.

Steps to split the text into different cells

Below, we explain the detailed steps that will help you separate the text into different columns in Excel :

Step 1 - Select the text you want to split. This could be a single cell, a range of cells, or an entire column.

Step 2 - Follow the below path -. 

Data > Data Tools > Text in Columns.

Step 3 - Select the "Delimited" option for the file type most accurately describes the data. In this way, there will be a character that delimits the separation of each word that we want to place in different columns.

Step 4 - Press the "Next" button.

Step 5 - Choose the character to divide the text string in the separators section. In this case, it is "Space". Press the "Next" button.

Step 6 -.Choose the "General" option in the column data format. Modify the destination cell and specify which cell you want them to start in. Here, we have mentioned $B$2 (B2).

You can see how your output will appear in the "Preview" section.

After you click Finish, Excel will arrange/split the given text in the specified column.

How to Separate Text in Google Sheets?

May I interest you in separating text in Google Sheets? if yes then consider following the below steps -

1. Select the text you want to split.

 

1. Click Data > Split text into columns.
2. Select the Delimiter you want to use.

 

1. We have selected Space as the delimiter since we want to separate the text divided by space.

 

1. Click it. You will see that the text is now divided into the next columns.

 If you want to work on the entire column, then select the desired cells and use the above mentioned method to separate the text.

Select the Delimiter for the desired output.

Your text is now separated and arranged in the next columns. 

Additional Tips to Improve the Text Separation Experience

• Ensure your text is formatted correctly before attempting to split it.
• Carefully choose the appropriate delimiters when using the Convert Text to Columns Wizard.
• Select the correct formula for your specific data structure when using formulas.
• Test your formulas thoroughly before applying them to large datasets.