how can I split one cell's data into two cells?

[Guest]

I am using Excel as a database, and have a column with cells with a person's
name (text) in it...e.g., John Smith. NOW, after the fact, I wish to have a
column with just John in it, and another column with just Smith...but I have
NO idea how to do this! Help would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Peo Sjoblom]

Please refrain from multiposting, you have answers in one of the 4!
newsgroups you posted the same question in. Multiposting is frowned upon and
even the MS web interface states so

--

Regards,

Peo Sjoblom

Excel 95 - Excel 2007
Northwest Excel Solutions
www.nwexcelsolutions.com
"It is a good thing to follow the first law of holes;
if you are in one stop digging." Lord Healey

--

Regards,

Peo Sjoblom

Excel 95 - Excel 2007
Northwest Excel Solutions
www.nwexcelsolutions.com
"It is a good thing to follow the first law of holes;
if you are in one stop digging." Lord Healey

 

[Ragdyer]

This is a FAQ in these groups, and the main problem with any solution (and
there are several) is the *exact* configuration of the data.

Names come in many differing formats, from titles (Mr. - Mrs. - Dr. -Ms.),
to 2 and/or 3 part surnames and/or initials (John Wilkes Booth - Oscar De La
Hoya - J. E. McGimpsey).

Therefore, there is *no* sure-fire, one size fits all solution!

You might post back with a description of the most prevalent configuration
that you feel is the majority one in your data list.

 

[Guest]

I described exactly how my date is organized...one cell containing FIRSTNAME
space SECOND NAME...

 

[Ragdyer]

Then Peo's suggestion in the worksheet.functions group will fill the bill.