Are you tired of dealing with the headaches caused by the SPLIT function in Google Sheets? Well, worry no more! I’ve uncovered a nifty little trick that will ensure you get the split result in text format, preserving all those precious characters. So grab your favorite beverage and get ready to dive into the fascinating world of Google Sheets!
Two Split Problems in Google Sheets
Let’s start by addressing the two pesky problems you may encounter when using the SPLIT function. First, imagine you have a text that consists of hexadecimal numbers separated by delimiters. When you use the SPLIT function, Google Sheets might unexpectedly convert some of those split numbers into scientific notations. Talk about a buzzkill!
The second issue is all about those sneaky leading zeros. Picture this: you have a string of item codes separated by delimiters, but when you split the text using the SPLIT function, you notice that those leading zeros mysteriously disappear. How frustrating, right? Especially when those zeros are crucial for accurate identification.
The Perfect Solution to Keep the Split Result in Text Format
Now that we’ve pinpointed the problems, it’s time to unveil the secret sauce to preserving your split result in text format – without losing any characters. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you achieve spreadsheet bliss:
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Identify the delimiter in the text that you wish to split. It could be anything from a pipe (|) to a hyphen (-) or even a comma (,).
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Replace the delimiter with the delimiter followed by an apostrophe (‘), and don’t forget to include the apostrophe within quotation marks.
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Combine the power of the SUBSTITUTE function with the SPLIT function. Yes, you heard that right! The dynamic duo will save the day.
For example, let’s say you have a text with those pesky hexadecimal numbers separated by a pipe delimiter. Use the following formula:
=split(substitute("'"&B6,"|","|'"),"|")
In this brilliant formula, we first use the SUBSTITUTE function to replace the pipe delimiter (|) with the pipe delimiter followed by an apostrophe (|’). Then, we unleash the SPLIT function to split the modified text using the same pipe delimiter. Voila! Your split result is now in text format, as it should be.
Similarly, if you’re dealing with item codes separated by a hyphen, follow this formula:
=split(SUBSTITUTE("'0001200-0001201-0001202-0001203","-","-'"),"-")
With this elegant formula, we replace the hyphen delimiter (-) with the hyphen delimiter followed by an apostrophe (-‘), and then we gracefully split the text using the hyphen delimiter. Easy peasy!
By following these straightforward steps, you’ll never have to worry about losing important information or dealing with wonky formatting ever again. Your split result will remain intact, preserving all those precious characters and leading zeros.
In Conclusion
Congratulations! You are now armed with the knowledge to conquer the challenge of getting the split result in perfect text format in Google Sheets. Just remember to use the SUBSTITUTE function in combination with the SPLIT function and replace the delimiter with the delimiter followed by an apostrophe. Trust me, this little trick will save you from the frustration of losing crucial information during the splitting process.
If you’re hungry for more juicy tips and tricks, head over to Crawlan.com – the ultimate resource for all your Google Sheets needs. They’ve got a treasure trove of knowledge waiting for you!
Happy Splitting, my besties!
