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nadine nadine is offline
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Default Need function to return numbers at beginning of text

I have a column of cells that contain an id and description in one column. I
need a formula that will give me only the id. The id can be either 4 or 5
numbers. Some can be followed by a letter and some can be followed by a dash
and then a number. What they all have in common is that the id is followed
by a space and then the description.

So, the =LEFT formula will not work. I need on that can give me all
characters before the space regardless of whether that's after the first 5
characters or after 7 or 8 or however many there are before the space.
Anyone know of such a formula for Excel 2003? Thanks so much.