Assume data in A1 down

In B1: =LEN(A1)
will return the count of characters

In C1: =LEFT(A1,30)
will return the leftmost 30 characters

You could select B1:C1 and copy down as far as required

If you are setting it up to restrict data entry to < 30 characters, try data
validation

Assume data to be entered in E1 down
Select col E, click Data Validation,
Allow: Custom
Formula: =LEN(E1)<30
Click OK
--
Max
Singapore
http://savefile.com/projects/236895
xdemechanik
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"patsfan" wrote:
Using Microsoft Excel, I need to keep the amount of characters in a column
below 30. I think some are more than that. Using a formula in one column,
can I ask the software to count the number of characters in another column so
I don't have to manually count? Or if it is easier can I just ask it to cut
off the characters after 30?