In this video, we're going to show you
how to split cells in Microsoft Excel into columns
using delimiters or a fixed width method.
Use the clickable sections below to skip to each method.
To use this method,
you'll need to make sure that all the data
in your cells that you want to isolate
are separated by a delimiter.
This can be a comma, period,
dash, or a space.
We're separating a list of names on a guest list
using commas to separate first and last names.
First, click and drag
to select the cells you want to split.
Click on the data tab at the top,
and then "Text to Columns."
A pop-up window will appear.
From the two options, choose "Delimited,"
and then click "Next."
Click the check marks next to each delimiter
that Excel should use
to know when to separate the information in the cells.
In this case, we'll just click on "Comma."
Make sure this check mark is used
in case two delimiters are listed
one after another in the cells.
In this case, we have a comma followed by a space.
Click "Next" to continue.
Select if your data is text, a date, or anything else
by clicking "General" here.
Now you can choose where in the spreadsheet
you want your data to appear.
Type in the number at the top left cell
where you want your data to start here.
Leave it blank to overwrite your existing cells.
Click "Finish" to complete.
Using the fixed width method,
you can separate information
based on their position in the cells.
First, highlight the cells
with all the information that you want to split.
Go to the data tab at the top
and then click on "Text to Columns."
A pop-up window will appear.
Choose the option "Fixed width" here,
and then click on "Next."
All the data you've selected
will show in your data preview here.
Click somewhere on the data preview to create a break line.
Click and drag this line to a position
where you want to split.
You can add multiple break lines
to split the cell into more than two columns.
To delete a break line, double-click on it.
Click "Next" to continue.
Complete your formatting and choose where you want
the new information on your spreadsheet
by adding the new top left cell number here.
If you want the new columns to overwrite your data,
just leave this empty.
Click "Finish" to complete.