Split Cells in Google Docs Spreadsheet

Do you have a huge list of names that you need to split up by first and last? Do you need to split of the values of a list of numbers? You can use Google Docs to split up the data in a cell and put the results in new cells. The process is easier than it sounds. Follow this guide to learn how.

Steps

1. Enter the information you want to split. In your first column, enter your data. You can quickly split entire lists of data as long as the split point is the same. A split point is a character that can be identified in each entry. This can be a space " ", a period ".", a comma ",", or any other shared character.
2. Create any necessary blank columns. You will need a blank column for each part of the cell that you want to split. You can quickly insert columns by right clicking on a column heading and selecting "Insert 1 right" or "Insert 1 left". This will put a blank column to either the left or right of the column you selected.
3. Enter the formula in the first cell. The "=split(" formula will allow you to designate what you want to to be split, and the results will be placed in the blank columns following the formula. Enter the cell name that you want to split after the "=" sign. After the cell name, designate the character that you want to split by. The cell will be split each time that character is encountered.
4. Apply the formula to the rest of the column. Highlight the cell with the formula. Click the tiny square in the bottom-right corner of the cell. The cursor will change to a crosshair. Drag it down to the bottom of the list. This will apply the formula to the entire list, without having to cut and paste or rewrite it.
5. Check the results. Once you drag the formula into all of the cells, you will see your table automatically populate with the results.
6. Replace the formulas with the results. Once the table has been filled in, it may look like the results have been placed in the right place. In actuality, each of the cells only contains a formula that happens to display the results you want. This can cause problems as you manipulate the data later.
   • Highlight all of the results. In the previous examples, this would be columns B, C, and D.
   • Copy the highlighted cells to the clipboard. Press Ctrl+ C or click Edit and then Copy.
   • Right-click on the first of the results cells. In both previous examples, this would be cell B1
   • Choose Paste Special, and then click "Paste values only". The cells will be overwritten with the actual values instead of the formulas.

   </ol>

   Tips

   • You can combine multiple separators into one command if you have a list with several different separators.

   Related Articles

   • Unmerge Cells in Google Docs Spreadsheets
   • Use Google Drive
   • Upload-and-Share-a-Spreadsheet-on-Google-Docs
   • Search-Within-a-Google-Docs-Spreadsheet
   • Alphabetize-in-Google-Docs

   Sources and Citations

See also

• Use Google Spreadsheets
• Download Google Docs
• Make a Google Doc Public
• Create a Calendar in Google Docs
• Make a Brochure Using Google Docs
• Add Sound to a Google Presentation
• Create a Presentation Using Google Slides
• Create a Form Using Google Drive
• Double Space in Google Docs
• Save a Google Doc

Read more ...