Text to Columns

[Emece]

Hi.

I have a column where I have names and surnames. I want to put name in one
column and surname in anoter column. In order to do this, I use Text to
Columns, but I have the following issue: if the cell contains for example
Juan Pérez, it works ok, but when the cell contains Juan De los Santos, it
assumes there are three surnames, and then put me one word in each column.

This is the result, with the example mentioned:
A B C D
Juan Pérez
Juan De los Santos

How can I indicate that I want De los Santos, all in one cell?

Thanks in advance

Regards,
Emece.-

 

[Luke M]

Instead of using Text to columns, I'd do this via formulas:
First Name:
=LEFT(A2,FIND(" ",A2)-1)

Surname:
=MID(A2,FIND(" ",A2)+1,999)

 

[מיכ×ל (מיקי) ×בידן]

With: Juan De los Santos in cell A1 -
* In cell C1 Type: =TRIM(RIGHT(A1,FIND(" ",A1)+1))
* In cell B1 type: =SUBSTITUTE(A1,C1,"")
Micky

 

[מיכ×ל (מיקי) ×בידן]

You may try also the Text to Columns feature.
In step 2 of 3 drag out(!) the marked vertical divider and press "Finish".
http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4248/nonamef.png
Micky

 

[Gord Dibben]

Your method works only with fixed width Micky.

Which is OK if all first names are same length.


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP

 

[Emece]

Thanks to all for your helpful replies.

I need a little extra help.

I noticed that there are some cases in which I have two names also.

So I have the following options: two names and one surname, one name and two
surnames, and two names and two surnames.

Examples:
John Steven Jackson
John Jackson
John Jackson Ville

Which formulas are suitable for all options? I want to obtain names in one
cell, surnames in other cell.

Thanks again.

Regards,
Emece.-