In this article:

How to Split Text to Columns in Google Sheets (with examples!)

In this tutorial we will learn how to apply the split text to columns functionality in Google Sheets to different types of text. We will also have step-by-step examples using the most common types of data so you can see how it works. Enjoy reading!

How to Split Text to Columns in Google Sheets

1. Select the range of cells with text to divide

The range should ideally be a single column with several rows of entries. The adjacent columns should be blank as well

how to split text in google sheets, select column

2. Click Data then select Split text to columns

The Data option is in the main menu at the top of the page. The Split text to columns option is near the end of the dropdown list.

how to split text in google sheets, click data, select split text to columns

3. Select the separator

Separators are special characters that mark where you can separate the string to its parts. Google Sheets can automatically detect the separator to use from the data stored in the column you selected, just like this case.

how to split text in google sheets, separator detected automatically

If Google Sheets did not automatically detect the separator, you can still set it as it contains a list of characters commonly used as separators. They are commas, periods, semicolons, and spaces. We will select Comma for this example.

how to split text in google sheets, select comma as separator

After selecting the separator, just click anywhere in the sheet to keep the changes.

how to split text in google sheets, output

Example: Splitting Full Name

Full names use spaces as separators. Here are the steps:

1. Select the range of cells containing the full names

The range should ideally be a single column with several rows of entries. The adjacent columns should be blank as well.

How to separate full name parts in google sheets, select column

2. Click Data then select Split text to columns

The Data option is in the main menu at the top of the page. The Split text to columns option is near the end of the dropdown list.

How to split full name in google sheets, click data, select split text to columns

3. Select Space as the separator

Click the drop-down box, then select Space.

How to split full name in google sheets, select space as separator

The output becomes:

How to separate full name parts, output

Example: Split Email

You can split the email account username from its host. Here are the steps:

1. Select the range of cells containing the email addresses

The range should ideally be a single column with several rows of entries. The adjacent columns should be blank as well.

How to separate emails components in google sheets, select column

2. Click Data then select Split text to columns

The Data option is in the main menu at the top of the page. The Split text to columns option is near the end of the dropdown list.

How to split emails in google sheets,  click data, select split text to columns

3. Select Custom then type the ampersand symbol @ as the separator 

The ampersand connects the email user ID with the host holding the email account. The ampersand is not listed as one of the default choices. You can still set it by clicking the drop-down box, then select Custom. 

How to separate email components in google sheets, select custom to set own separator

Afterwards type the ampersand symbol @ to the textbox. 

How to split emails in google sheets, set ampersand sign as custom separator

Once the sheet updates, just click anywhere on the sheet to retain the changes.

How to separate emails components, output

Example: Split URL

You can split URLs into the main website and its subdirectories. They are marked  Here are the steps:

1. Select the range of cells containing the URLS

The range should ideally be a single column with several rows of entries. The adjacent columns should be blank as well.

How to separate URL components in Google Sheets, select column

2. Click Data then select Split text to columns

The Data option is in the main menu at the top of the page. The Split text to columns option is near the end of the dropdown list.

How to split URL in Google Sheets,  click data, select split text to columns

3. Select Custom then type the slash symbol / the separator 

The slash marks the hierarchy of subdirectories of a website, like a series of folders inside another in our files. However, the slash is not listed as one of the default choices. You can still set it by clicking the drop-down box, then select Custom.

How to separate URL components in Google Sheets, select custom to set own separator

Afterwards type the slash symbol / to the textbox. 

How to split URL in Google Sheets, set slash sign as custom separator

Once the sheet updates, just click anywhere on the sheet to retain the changes.

how to separate url components, output

If you enjoyed this article, you might also like our article on how to use the split formula in Google Sheets or our article on how to split the first and last name in Google Sheets. 

If you want to learn how to send automatic reminder emails in Google Sheets, we also suggest checking out our detailed guide. 

Use our tax deadline tracking software to easily set up custom reminders from your spreadsheet in just a few clicks.

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Replaces [@column_name] values in a Google Doc with the corresponding table row's values
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