If you're going to do this with formulas, I'd use =RIGHT(A1,LEN(A1)-FIND("
",A1)) for the first name, last name case and =RIGHT(A1,LEN(A1)-(FIND("
",A1,FIND(" ",A1)+1))) where you have first, middle, last. Rather than
parsing from the right, I'm just looking for the second space character.
If you would consider NOT using formulas, check Data Text To Columns.
Excel can do the splits for you, based on your choice of delimiters (and can
also handle repeated delimiters, such as two spaces where you're only
expecting one).

"PA" wrote:

One of our Administrative Assistants set up a worksheet with Name in one
cell. Unfortunately, she has some with first and last name only, and some
include a middle name.
I can parse the last name with the formula =MID(A1,FIND(" ",A1,1),30) for
those cells that contain only first and last name, but, if a cell contains a
middle name, this formula yields the middle and last name because it starts
from the left. I need only the last name.
I believe I need a formula that starts from the right, finds the first space
from the right, and then returns all characters to the left of that space.
I cant figure out how to do that.
Any suggestions will be appreciated.
Paul