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TEXTSPLIT splits text by a delimiter into columns and/or rows — a formula version of Text to Columns that updates automatically.
Syntax
=TEXTSPLIT(text, col_delimiter, [row_delimiter], [ignore_empty])| Argument | What it means |
|---|---|
col_delimiter |
Splits across columns. |
row_delimiter |
Splits down rows. |
Examples
Example 1
=TEXTSPLIT(A2, ",")“Delhi,Mumbai,Pune” across three cells.
Example 2
=TEXTSPLIT(A2, , ",")Down three rows.
TEXTSPLIT in practice
Where you will use it
- Split names or addresses
- Break CSV text into columns
- Parse imported codes
Worked example
| Text | Formula | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Ravi,Kumar,Pune | =ARRAYTOTEXT(TEXTSPLIT(A2,{",","-",";"},,TRUE)) | Ravi, Kumar, Pune |
| INV-2026-145 | =ARRAYTOTEXT(TEXTSPLIT(A3,{",","-",";"},,TRUE)) | INV, 2026, 145 |
| a;b;;c | =ARRAYTOTEXT(TEXTSPLIT(A4,{",","-",";"},,TRUE)) | a, b, c |
Results calculated in Excel.
Mistakes people make
| Mistake | What to do instead |
|---|---|
| Empty parts | ignore_empty TRUE drops them |
| Rows and columns | Second delimiter splits into rows |
Related functions
TEXTBEFORE · TEXTJOIN · SUBSTITUTE
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📎 Practice files for this article
- 📗Practice workbook: Text & cleaning24 tasks on realistic sales data — type your formula, the Check column turns green when it is right. Answers sheet included.⬇ XLSX · 35 KB
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