=MID(SUBSTITUTE(J1," ",""),FIND("~",SUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(J1,"
",""),",","~",1))+1,1)

=MID(SUBSTITUTE(J1," ",""),FIND("~",SUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(J1,"
",""),",","~",2))+1,1)

etc.

--

HTH

Bob Phillips

(replace xxxx in the email address with gmail if mailing direct)

"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.