> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://books-gyansetu.gitbook.io/advanced-excel/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://books-gyansetu.gitbook.io/advanced-excel/text-to-columns.md).

# Text-To-Columns

**Text-to-Columns**

Data, Data Tools, Text to Columns can be used to separate data in a single column into multiple columns, such as if you have full names in one column and need a column with first names and a column with last names.&#x20;

When you select the command, a wizard dialog box opens to help you through the process.

In step 1 of the wizard, select whether the text is Delimited or Fixed Width (see the next sections for definitions of Delimited and Fixed Width).

In step 2, you provide more details on how you want the text separated. In step 3, you tell Excel the basic formatting to apply to each column.\
\
If you have data in the columns to the right of the column you are separating, Excel overwrites the data. Be sure to insert enough blank columns to not overwrite your existing data before beginning Text to Columns.<br>

**Short Key --> Alt + A + E**<br>

![](/files/-LRfB2s-OrJ_5IjzmDfJ)

{% file src="/files/-LRfBMr3hQ8ihLEOabjq" %}
Examples of Text-To-Columns
{% endfile %}


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