Forum Discussion
How do I change my data column of many words to only show the first word??
I have a column of 2000+ items. Basically the column is for full name (first and last). I want to know how to adjust the column so that it only contains the first name ONLY (so the first word). Is that possible? how?
2 Replies
Consider a small example:
In this situation the entire column can be completed by pressing Ctrl+E when in B2. Flash Fill.
aaronhutchins Here are a few options for you.
Not sure your desired end result. But if you click on the column heading, then go to Data and click on Text to Columns you can split out the items in the content. It will create new columns for you.
For example, if you just had first name and last name, you could do text to column and it would break those out for you. Click on Delimited and it will ask you how to separate the names. If there is just space between the names, then click on space. Or if there is a comma separating first and last name, click on comma.
This will create two columns. One with the first name and one with the last.
You can just copy the column for backup to a new column before you start. Because it will break out all the items in the column into separate columns and you might not want that. Make sure to save the column to the left of the column you are working on, Because it creates new columns to the right and will override whatever columns you have to the right.
That should give you al the first names. You can delete the rest after you are done.
If you have a new column that you imported or whatever just click on the cell and click on Text to Column and it will do the same thing just for the new cell.
Hope that helps.
