Hi kikilein,
I can certainly understand your problem.

You will need to install a macro(s),
See http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/excel/join.htm

Separate the Last term (SepLastTerm), then insert a column between first part and last name,
if you want the middle name or initial in it's own column and use SepTerm macro.

Link to install macros in a yellow box at top of web page, but it is
http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/excel....htm#havemacro

The macros described on that page can all be found in
http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/excel/code/join.txt

If you have last names with spaces in them you will probably want to join them with an tilde (~)
or something first, and then replace the tilde with a space when done. Using Replace (Ctrl+H).
i.e. van~Ness van~der~Beck so as not be be confused with a hyphenated names.
---
HTH,
David McRitchie, Microsoft MVP - Excel [site changed Nov. 2001]
My Excel Pages: http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/excel/excel.htm
Search Page: http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/excel/search.htm

"kikilein" wrote in message ...
I have a column of names first name, middle initial (sometimes), last name.

I have a hard time to separate that middle initial that some of the names
have but not all. I tried the Data text to column but have a hard time
seperating the middle intitial. Any ideas on how to do it?

Thanks much.