Hi Kathi

I don't know whether the space after the first comma is a typo, or will
always occur.
Assuming it will always occur, then in cell L1
=MID(J1,FIND(",",J1)+2,1)
change the +2 to +1 if the space was a typo

or a formula which will work either with or without the space
=LEFT(TRIM(MID(J1,FIND(",",J1)+1,2)))


in cell M1
=MID(J1,FIND("*",SUBSTITUTE(J1,",","*",2))+1,1)
in N1
=MID(J1,FIND("*",SUBSTITUTE(J1,",","*",3))+1,1)
--
Regards

Roger Govier


"kathi" wrote in message
...
I have a cell that contains the following in column J
ZD5, MNH,IX,WQ
I need to have the first letter of the first group in column K so I
put the
formula [=LEFT(J1,1)] and that works but I can't figure out a formula
for
column L for the first letter of the second group (MNH) or for column
M for
the first letter of the third group, or for column N for the first
letter of
the fourth group.
Anyone know how to do this? I can change the divider between groups
to a
comma, a hyphen-, a semi-colon; or a colon: or watever is necessary so
that
it can be used as an indicator in the formula.
Thanks for any help you can be.