Inevitably, when you import information into Excel you will need to separate a cell’s contents into two columns. Let’s say you have imported a list of addresses but you need to separate the first and last names so you can use them in a mail merge letter.

Step 1: Highlight the cells containing the information you wish to separate

Step 2: Go to Data | Text To Columns. In Excel 2007, click the Data tab and then click the Text To Columns command in the Data Tools group.

Step 3: You are now looking at the Convert Text To Columns Wizard. Click Delimited and then Next.

Step 4: Select the Space check box and clear the Tab check box in the Delimiters section and click Next.

Step 5: Click Text under Column Data Format.

Step 6: Click on the second column in the Data Preview window and then click Text under Column Data Forma

Step 7: Enter D2 in the Destination text box and click Finish.

It sounds complicated when you are just reading but when you actually try it out it is really quick and simple.

NOTE: This is an Excel 2007 Shortcut. Do you know how to do this in Excel 2003? Leave a comment and let me know.