Splitting Combined Text into Columns

Why This Feature Matters

When data is exported from accounting software, CRM tools, or website databases, it often arrives packed into a single messy text column—for example, "PROD101-ELE-2026" or "Jakarta, Indonesia". To sort by category or filter by year, you need to split these pieces into their own dedicated columns.

The character separating the pieces (like a hyphen -, comma ,, or space) is called a Delimiter. You can split delimited text using spreadsheet formulas or Excel's built-in Text to Columns tool.

How Text Slicing Works

Spreadsheet text functions help you locate the delimiter and extract the exact piece you need:

Step-by-Step Practice Guide

Practice splitting structured SKU codes into clean catalog columns:

Practice 1 — Extract Item Code (Left of Hyphen)

In cell B2, find the hyphen and extract all characters to the left of it.

=LEFT(A2, FIND("-", A2)-1)

Practice 2 — Extract 3-Letter Category Code

In cell C2, start 1 position after the hyphen and extract exactly 3 letters.

=MID(A2, FIND("-", A2)+1, 3)

Practice 3 — Extract 4-Digit Batch Year

In cell D2, grab the 4 digits from the right end of the text string.

=RIGHT(A2, 4)

Practice 4 — Assemble Clean Display Label

In cell E2, combine the Item Code and Batch Year into a clean label like PROD101 (2026).

=LEFT(A2, FIND("-", A2)-1) & " (" & RIGHT(A2, 4) & ")"

If you have thousands of rows to split without formulas in desktop Excel, highlight your column and go to Data > Text to Columns > Delimited and choose the hyphen or comma separator to split your data instantly!