Easy Excel Formula: Split String by Delimiter into Array

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Excel provides powerful functions to manipulate and analyze data. One common task is splitting a string into an array based on a delimiter. In this article, we will explain how to use Excel formulas to split a string by delimiter into an array, covering various methods and scenarios.

Why Split Strings in Excel?

Splitting strings in Excel is useful for:

  • Data cleaning: Separating combined data into individual columns
  • Text analysis: Breaking down sentences or paragraphs into words
  • Data extraction: Isolating specific parts of a string
  • Formatting: Restructuring data for better presentation or analysis

Methods to Split Strings by Delimiter

To split a string by delimiter into an array in Excel, you can use functions like TEXTSPLIT, FILTERXML, or a combination of MID, FIND, and LEN. These formulas allow you to break down a text string into separate parts based on a specified separator or delimiter.

Let’s explore these methods in detail, along with examples and best practices.

1. TEXTSPLIT Function (Excel 365)

The TEXTSPLIT function is the newest and most straightforward method to split strings in Excel.

Syntax

=TEXTSPLIT(text, delimiter, [ignore_empty], [match_mode], [pad_with])

Parameters

  • text: The string you want to split
  • delimiter: The character or string that separates the parts of the text
  • ignore_empty (optional): TRUE to ignore empty cells, FALSE to include them
  • match_mode (optional): 0 for exact match, 1 for case-insensitive match
  • pad_with (optional): Value to use for padding if the result has fewer items than other rows

Example

Let’s say you have a cell A1 with the text “apple,banana,cherry” and you want to split it by comma.

=TEXTSPLIT(A1, ",")

This formula will return an array with three cells: “apple”, “banana”, and “cherry”.

2. FILTERXML Function

For versions of Excel that don’t have TEXTSPLIT, the FILTERXML function is a powerful alternative.

Syntax

=FILTERXML("<a><b>"&SUBSTITUTE(text,delimiter,"</b><b>")&"</b></a>","//b")

Parameters

  • text: The string you want to split
  • delimiter: The character or string that separates the parts of the text

Example

Using the same example as before:

=FILTERXML("<a><b>"&SUBSTITUTE(A1,",","</b><b>")&"</b></a>","//b")

This formula will also return an array with “apple”, “banana”, and “cherry”.

3. Combination of MID, FIND, and LEN Functions

For older versions of Excel or when you need more control over the splitting process, you can use a combination of MID, FIND, and LEN functions.

Syntax

=MID(text, start_num, num_chars)

Parameters

  • text: The string you want to extract characters from
  • start_num: The position of the first character you want to extract
  • num_chars: The number of characters to extract

Example

To split the string in A1 by comma and get the first part:

=MID(A1, 1, FIND(",", A1&",", 1) - 1)

For the second part:

=MID(A1, FIND(",", A1&",", 1) + 1, FIND(",", A1&",", FIND(",", A1&",", 1) + 1) - FIND(",", A1&",", 1) - 1)

Handling Different Scenarios

Multiple Delimiters

Sometimes, you may need to split a string using multiple delimiters. Here’s how to handle this scenario:

Using TEXTSPLIT

=TEXTSPLIT(A1, {",", ";", "|"})

This formula will split the string using commas, semicolons, or vertical bars as delimiters.

Using FILTERXML

=FILTERXML("<a><b>"&SUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(A1,",","</b><b>"),";","</b><b>"),"|","</b><b>")&"</b></a>","//b")

Ignoring Delimiters in Quotes

When working with CSV files or similar data formats, you may need to ignore delimiters within quoted strings. Here’s a more advanced formula using FILTERXML:

=FILTERXML("<a><b>"&SUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(A1,"""",""),",","</b><b>"),"<b></b>","")&"</b></a>","//b")

This formula first removes all quotation marks, then splits by commas, and finally removes any empty elements.

Best Practices for Splitting Strings in Excel

  1. Choose the right function: Use TEXTSPLIT if available, FILTERXML for compatibility, or MID/FIND/LEN for more control.
  2. Handle empty values: Make sure your formula can handle empty cells or missing delimiters.
  3. Consider performance: For large datasets, array formulas can be slow. Consider using VBA or Power Query for better performance.
  4. Validate your data: Always check your results to ensure the splitting worked as expected.
  5. Document your formulas: Add comments to explain complex formulas, especially when using functions like FILTERXML.

Common Applications of String Splitting in Excel

1. Parsing CSV Data

Comma-Separated Values (CSV) files are common for data exchange. Splitting these strings can help you organize data into columns.

Original CSVColumn AColumn BColumn C
John,Doe,35JohnDoe35
Jane,Smith,28JaneSmith28

2. Extracting Information from URLs

Splitting URLs can help you analyze website structure or extract specific information.

=TEXTSPLIT(A1, "/", , , "")

This formula splits a URL by forward slashes, allowing you to separate domain, path, and page components.

3. Name Parsing

Splitting full names into first and last names is a common data cleaning task.

=TEXTSPLIT(A1, " ", , , "")

This formula splits a full name by spaces, separating first and last names (and middle names if present).

Troubleshooting Common Issues

1. Inconsistent Delimiters

If your data has inconsistent delimiters (e.g., sometimes commas, sometimes semicolons), you may need to use a more complex formula or clean your data first.

2. Extra Spaces

Extra spaces around delimiters can cause issues. Use the TRIM function to remove leading and trailing spaces:

=TEXTSPLIT(TRIM(A1), ",")

3. Too Many Splits

If your formula is creating more splits than expected, check for hidden characters or multiple consecutive delimiters.

Advanced Techniques

1. Dynamic Array Formulas

Excel’s dynamic array formulas allow you to split strings across multiple cells without dragging formulas. Simply enter the formula in one cell, and it will spill into adjacent cells as needed.

2. Combining with Other Functions

You can combine string splitting with other Excel functions for more complex data manipulation. For example, you could use TEXTSPLIT with SUMPRODUCT to count occurrences of specific words in a text:

=SUMPRODUCT(--(TEXTSPLIT(A1, " ")="target_word"))

This formula splits the text in A1 by spaces and then counts how many times “target_word” appears.

Alternatives to Formula-Based Splitting

While formulas are powerful, there are other methods to split strings in Excel:

1. Text to Columns Feature

Excel’s built-in “Text to Columns” feature (found in the Data tab) allows you to split text into columns based on delimiters or fixed width.

2. Power Query

For large datasets or more complex splitting needs, Power Query (available in Excel 2010 and later) provides a more robust and efficient solution.

3. VBA (Visual Basic for Applications)

For advanced users, VBA can offer more control and better performance when splitting large amounts of data.

Final Thoughts

Splitting strings by delimiter into arrays is a fundamental skill for data manipulation in Excel. Whether you’re using the newest TEXTSPLIT function, the versatile FILTERXML, or a combination of other functions, understanding these techniques can significantly enhance your data analysis capabilities.

Remember to choose the method that best fits your Excel version and specific needs, and always validate your results to ensure accuracy. With practice, you’ll be able to handle even the most complex string splitting tasks with ease.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest Excel function to split a string by delimiter?

The easiest Excel function to split a string by delimiter is TEXTSPLIT. It’s available in Excel 365 and later versions. The syntax is simple: =TEXTSPLIT(text, delimiter). For example, =TEXTSPLIT(A1, “,”) will split the contents of cell A1 by commas.

How can I split a string in older versions of Excel?

In older versions of Excel, you can use the FILTERXML function or a combination of MID, FIND, and LEN functions. For FILTERXML, use the formula: =FILTERXML(““&SUBSTITUTE(text,delimiter,”“)&”“,”//b”). Replace ‘text’ with your cell reference and ‘delimiter’ with your separator.

Can I split a string using multiple delimiters?

Yes, you can split a string using multiple delimiters. With TEXTSPLIT, use an array of delimiters like this: =TEXTSPLIT(A1, {“,”, “;”, “|”}). This will split the string using commas, semicolons, or vertical bars. For FILTERXML, you’ll need to nest SUBSTITUTE functions for each delimiter.

How do I handle empty values when splitting strings?

To handle empty values when splitting strings, you can use the optional parameters in TEXTSPLIT. Set ignore_empty to FALSE to include empty values. For example: =TEXTSPLIT(A1, “,”, FALSE). With FILTERXML, you might need to add an additional step to your formula to preserve empty values.

What’s the best way to split large amounts of data?

For large amounts of data, formula-based methods might be slow. Consider using Excel’s built-in ‘Text to Columns’ feature (found in the Data tab), Power Query (available in Excel 2010 and later), or VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) for better performance and more control over the splitting process.

How can I split a string but ignore delimiters within quotes?

To split a string while ignoring delimiters within quotes, you’ll need a more complex formula. One approach using FILTERXML is: =FILTERXML(““&SUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(A1,””””,””),”,”,”“),”“,””)&”“,”//b”). This formula first removes quotation marks, then splits by commas, and finally removes any empty elements.

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