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Split Full Name into First/Last
Split a full name into separate first name and last name columns. Handles standard 'First Last' format for data organization and mail merges.
Excel Formula
=LEFT(A2, FIND(" ", A2)-1)Step-by-Step Explanation
1
FIND(" ", A2) locates the space between names
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Subtracting 1 gives the length of the first name
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LEFT extracts that many characters from the start
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For last name, use MID or a separate formula
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Works for standard 'First Last' format
Example
| Full Name (A) | First Name (B) | Last Name (C) |
|---|---|---|
| John Smith | John | Smith |
| Mary Jane Watson | Mary | Jane Watson |
| Robert Nip Dog | Robert | Nip Dog |
Result: First: =LEFT(A2,FIND(" ",A2)-1) → John | Last: =MID(A2,FIND(" ",A2)+1,100) → Smith
Common Variations
Last name
=MID(A2, FIND(" ", A2)+1, LEN(A2))Everything after first space
Last name only (last word)
=RIGHT(A2, LEN(A2)-FIND("*", SUBSTITUTE(A2," ","*",LEN(A2)-LEN(SUBSTITUTE(A2," ","")))))For names with middle names
Middle name
=MID(A2,FIND(" ",A2)+1,FIND(" ",A2,FIND(" ",A2)+1)-FIND(" ",A2)-1)Extracts middle name from 3-part name
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