Thanks, this works great!
R

"Elkar" wrote:

No problem, this can be done. Keep the previous steps to get data into
columns Y and Z.

Now, to get B to display just the description. Insert a helper column next
to column B. In this new column, enter the formula:

=MID(B1,15,LEN(B1)-28)

You many need to adjust the numbers slightly if your data contains dashes or
spaces that you want to remove.

Now, copy your helper column onto Column B using "Paste Special" and
"Values". Then delete the helper column.

Now, hopefully, you should be where you want to be.

Elkar


"useR" wrote:

No, that won't do it either.

Problem is that there are 3 segments to the char string in column B (model
number - description label - part number), as decribed below. My goal is to
separate the 3 segments into 3 columns. Prefer to leave the description
label segment in column B, and "move" model number and part number segments
to Y and Z respectively.

Sorry if I was not clear earlier in the discussion.

Thanks,
R

"Elkar" wrote:

Ok, use the formulas just like I suggested, then add the following steps:

Copy columns Y and Z
While still selecting Y and Z, "Paste Special"
Select "Values" from the dialog box
Click OK

Y and Z now no longer contain formulas and you can delete column B if needed.

HTH,
Elkar


"useR" wrote:

That works fine for copy/paste, but what I need is a cut/paste result. That
is, the 1st 14 char and the last 14 char cannot remain in column B.

Thanks,
R

"Elkar" wrote:

In cell Y1 enter the formula:

=left(b1,14)

In cell Z1 enter the formula:

=right(b1,14)

Copy the formulas down as needed.

HTH,
Elkar


"useR" wrote:

How to edit column B in spreadsheet so that the 1st 14 characters in the
string is cut/pasted to column Y, and the last 14 characters in the string is
cut/pasted to column Z? Need to apply such an edit to all cells in column B.

Spreadsheet is A1:Pxxxx (approx 3000 rows). All cells in column B contain a
character string that represents 'model number - description label - part
number'. String varies in length due to description label differences,
however model number and part number are always 14 characters each. Cell
format is general.

MS Office Excel 2003, SP1
MS Windows XP Professional 5.1, SP 2, build 2600

Thanks for your help,
R