how to keep the first initial of a name and delete the rest of the character
in a cell.
Etc. "Mike" the result should be "M", "Darlene" should be "D"

One way, assuming many cells in a column:

Choose Data/Text to Columns. Select Fixed. Click Next. set a break
between the first and second character. click Next. Select the
right-hand column(s) and select the Do not import (skip) radio button.
Click Finish.


In article ,
mark wrote:

how to keep the first initial of a name and delete the rest of the character
in a cell.
Etc. "Mike" the result should be "M", "Darlene" should be "D"

If your name cell is A1 then write this formula in B1:
=LEFT(TRIM(A1),1)

That will enter the first character from the entry in A1 into B1. You
could then copy all the entries in B1 and paste them over A1 as
values, and delete entries in B as needed.