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Often, users of a spreadsheet editor are faced with the task of decoupling text. There are several ways to implement this simple procedure. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at each method.
Method One: Using an Automatic Tool
The table editor has a special automatic view tool that allows you to implement this procedure. Detailed instructions look like this:
- We hold down the left mouse button and select all the cells that we plan to split into columns.
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- We move to the “Data” subsection and click LMB on the “Text by columns” element.
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- A window titled “Wizard Text Columns” appears. We put a fad next to the inscription “with separators”. Usually a space is used as a separator, but at a later stage you can edit the type of separation.
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- We put a mark next to the character that we plan to use as a separator. At the bottom of the window is the Data Parsing Sample field. Here you can preview the result.
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- At the next stage, we set a new column format, as well as the location to which the new information will be moved. After completing all the procedures, left-click on “Finish” to save the changes.
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- We return to the original plate and make sure that the disengagement process has occurred correctly.
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It is worth noting! This method is suitable only in cases where only one unlinking is needed, specifying a new column for each word. This method is not suitable for work in which it is necessary to constantly carry out the tripping procedure, as a lot of time will be wasted. Consider the following methods.
Second Method: Applying the Text Decoupling Formula
This formula allows you to count the positions of words, find gaps, and then split all the words into separate columns. This method involves a large number of actions, so you need to carefully follow the steps of the detailed instructions. For example, we will take a field in which there are three words that are separated by spaces.
Stage One: Disconnecting the 1st Word
Detailed instructions look like this:
- Create 3 new columns with headings.
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- We select the cell in which we plan to place the 1st word. Enter the formula here:=LEFT(.
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- Left-click on “Function Arguments”.
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- In the “Text” field, use the left mouse button to specify the coordinates of the cell. In our case, this is A1.
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- In the field “Number of_characters” we drive in the formula SEARCH(), which allows you to automatically count the number of characters up to the delimiter.
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- The formula is displayed in the line for entering formulas. Click on it LMB to get to the “Function Arguments” window.
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- In the line “Search_text” we drive in the necessary separator. The default is a space. In the line “Text_for_search” we drive in the coordinate A1.
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- Click LMB on the 1st function to again get into the window of its arguments. We add the value -2 to the right of the 1nd argument. This will allow the formula to take into account not the space itself, but the sign before it.
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- We close the arguments window to make sure that the information is displayed correctly.
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- Stretch the new cell down by pressing the left mouse button. The formula was automatically substituted in other cells.
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Stage two: 2nd word decoupling
Decoupling the 2nd word is the most difficult stage, since it is surrounded by separators on 2 sides. Detailed instructions look like this:
- To work, we need a formula =PSTR(. We write it in a cell, and then move to the window for entering arguments.
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- This formula allows you to find the required line in the text information. In the line “Text” enter the coordinate A1.
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- In the “Start_position” field, we drive in the SEARCH () formula, which allows you to automatically calculate the number of characters before the separator.
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- The formula is displayed in the line for entering formulas. Click on it LMB to get to the “Function Arguments” window.
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- In the line “Search_text” we drive in the necessary separator. The default is a space. In the line “Text_for_search” we drive in the coordinate A1.
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- Returning to the original window, add the value +1 to the end of the second argument. This will allow you to start counting from the next character after the found separator.
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- In the line “Number of_characters” again enter the formula SEARCH().
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- We fill in the operator arguments in the same way as above.
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- Additionally, here in the “Start_position” field, you must again write SEARCH(), to find the 2nd delimiter.
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- Operator Argument Box SEARCH() fill it in the same way as before.
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- Move on to the first SEARCH and add the value +1 to the start_position argument.
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- Click LMB on the element = PSTR, located in the line of formulas. Move the pointer to the end of the line “Number of_characters”.
- Add value at the end -SEARCH(” “;A1)-1)to finish calculating the separators.
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- We close the arguments window to make sure that the information is displayed correctly.
- Stretch the new cell down by pressing the left mouse button. The formula was automatically substituted in other cells.
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Third stage: 3rd word decoupling
This stage is similar to the first, but has some minor differences. Detailed instructions look like this:
- Enter the formula into the desired cell =RIGHT( and move to the arguments window.
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- In the line “Text” we drive in the coordinate A1.
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- In the line “Number of_characters” we drive in the formula DLSTR(A1). It allows you to determine the number of characters in the data.
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- We add to the end of this line the value familiar to us – SEARCH (). We move to the window of the arguments of this formula.
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- We drive in the data already familiar to us to search for a gap in the line.
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- In the line “Start_position” we drive in an additional SEARCH().
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- We provide the same information here.
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- We return to the past “SEARCH”.
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- At the end of the line “Start_position” add the value +1.
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- We confirm all the changes made.
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- Ready! We have implemented a 3-word uncoupling procedure. Each word is in a separate column.
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Conclusion
We have looked at two ways to unlink text in a spreadsheet editor. The second method is the most effective, but its implementation requires a large number of actions. Understanding how the trip procedure works will make it much easier for users to work with the spreadsheet editor.