How to use the TEXTSPLIT function

The TEXTSPLIT function lets you split a string into an array across columns and rows based on delimiting characters.

Formula in cell E3:

The TEXTSPLIT function is available to Excel 365 users.

1. Syntax

TEXTSPLIT(Input_Text, col_delimiter, [row_delimiter], [Ignore_Empty])

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2. Arguments

Input_Text	Required. The original string.
col_delimiter	Required. The delimiter characters to use, splits the string into columns.
[row_delimiter]	Optional. The delimiter characters the TEXTSPLIT function uses to split the string into rows.
[Ignore_Empty]	Optional. Default value is FALSE. TRUE creates an empty value if the space between delimiting characters is empty.
[pad_with]	Optional. A string to use, the string is concatenated to each value in the array. The default value is nothing.

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3. Example

The formula in cell B6 splits the text string in cell B3 based on a space character and a dot. This creates an array with a word in each cell. A new sentence is located on a new row.

The array may now contain array values that contain #N/A error values meaning there are no values in that particular location.

Formula in cell E4:

3.0.1 Explaining formula

Step 1 - TEXTSPLIT function

TEXTSPLIT(Input_Text, col_delimiter, [row_delimiter], [Ignore_Empty], [pad_with])

Step 2 - Populate arguments

input_text - B3
col_delimiter - " "
[row_delimiter] - "."

Step 3 - Evaluate function

TEXTSPLIT(B3," ",".",TRUE)

returns {"Dui", "viverra", "tempor", #N/A,... , #N/A}

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3.1 Remove #N/A errors

You can use the IFNA function to remove possible #N/A errors.

Formula in cell E4:

3.1.1 Explaining formula

Step 1 - Create array

TEXTSPLIT(B3," ",".",TRUE)

returns

{"Dui", "viverra", "tempor", #N/A, ... , #N/A}

Step 2 - Remove #N/A error values

The IFNA function lets you replace #N/A errors with a given string.

IFNA(value, value_if_na)

IFNA(TEXTSPLIT(B3," ",".",TRUE),"")

returns {"Dui","viverra",... ,""}

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3.2 Pad each value with a given string

You also have the option to pad each value in the array with any string. I will be padding in this example a single space character.

Formula in cell E4:

3.0.1 Explaining formula

Step 1 - TEXTSPLIT function

input_text - B3
col_delimiter - " "
[row_delimiter] - "."
[Ignore_Empty] - Default value is FALSE. TRUE creates an empty value if the space between delimiting characters is empty.
[pad_with] - " "

TEXTSPLIT(Input_Text, col_delimiter, [row_delimiter], [Ignore_Empty], [pad_with])

TEXTSPLIT(B3," ",".",TRUE," ")

becomes

TEXTSPLIT("Dui viverra tempor. Phasellus porta orci laoreet condimentum vulputate.
Mauris dignissim odio sit amet ullamcorper lobortis.
Vivamus pulvinar, enim vitae iaculis vehicula, purus sapien interdum tellus, viverra congue diam tortor sed quam.
Pellentesque et pulvinar dolor.
Suspendisse euismod."," ",".",TRUE," ")

and returns

{"Dui","viverra",... ," "}

Step 2 - Remove space characters

The TRIM function removes leading and trailing space characters.

TRIM(text)

TRIM(TEXTSPLIT(B3," ",".",TRUE," "))

returns {"Dui","viverra",... ,""}

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4. Split string using multiple delimiting characters

The string in cell B3 contains both dots and semicolons as an end of a sentence. You can use multiple delimiting characters to create a new column or row.

Formula in cell B6:

=TEXTSPLIT(B3," ",{".",";"},TRUE)

4.1 Explaining formula

input_text - B3
col_delimiter - " "
[row_delimiter] - {".",";"}
[Ignore_Empty] - Default value is FALSE. TRUE creates an empty value if the space between delimiting characters is empty.

TEXTSPLIT(Input_Text, col_delimiter, [row_delimiter], [Ignore_Empty], [pad_with])

TEXTSPLIT(B3," ",{".",";"},TRUE)

returns {"Dui", "viverra", ... , #N/A}

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5. How to create a string containing column and row delimiting characters

This section describes how to create a string using delimiting characters, based on your regional settings, from a cell range.

The TEXTJOIN function concatenates values from a cell range and is the opposite to the TEXTSPLIT function, however, it can't use delimiting characters for bor columns and rows.

1. Double press with the left mouse button on cell B10, a prompt appears.
2. Type = (equal sign)
3. Select the cell range, in this example cell range B3:J8.
4. Press F9 to convert the cell reference to constants.
5. Remove the equal sign and the curly brackets { }.
6. Press Enter.

My regional settings return a comma for a column delimiting character and a semicolon for a row delimiting character.

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6. How to split dates

The formula in cell D3 splits the date specified in cell B3 into an array containing month, day, and year based on the slash character.

You can of course use whatever delimiting character you want, make sure you change the TEXT and TEXTSPLIT function arguments accordingly.

Dynamic array formula in cell D3:

Explaining formula

Step 1 - Create a text string

Excel dates are actually just numbers, to split a date we need to create a text value.

The TEXT function creates text values based on a formatting pattern.

TEXT(value, format_text)

TEXT(B3, "mm/dd/yyyy")

becomes

TEXT(44649, "mm/dd/yyyy")

and returns "03/29/2022".

Step 2 - Split text string

TEXTSPLIT(TEXT(B3, "mm/dd/yyyy"), "/")

becomes

TEXTSPLIT("03/29/2022", "/")

and returns

{"03", "29", "2022"}.

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7. Move values to the left if cell is empty as far as possible

The image above shows a cell range containing values and random empty cells, here is how to move values to the left in the cell range as far as possible using a formula.

The TEXTJOIN function adds only one delimiting character to the string, however, there may be multiple instances of the same character. You can not specify a row delimiting character in the TEXTJOIN function.

I have added semicolons to column K to solve this problem, both delimiting characters let the TEXTSPLIT function split values to both columns and rows.

Formula in cell B16:

Explaining formula

Make sure you add a row delimiting character to the right of the last value on each row, it doesn't have to be a semicolon. You can use whatever character you want.

You are allowed to specify the row delimiting character in the TEXTSPLIT function.

Step 1 - Join values in cell range B3:K13

The TEXTJOIN function allows you to combine text strings from multiple cell ranges and also use delimiting characters (optional).

TEXTJOIN(delimiter, ignore_empty, text1, [text2], ...)

TEXTJOIN(",",,B3:K13)

Step 2 - Split string ignoring blank values

TEXTSPLIT(TEXTJOIN(",",,B3:K13),",",";",TRUE,"")

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8. Move values to fill empty cells

This example demonstrates a formula that rearranges all values in order to remove blank cells.

Excel 365 dynamic array formula in cell B16:

Explaining formula

Step 1 - Join cell values

The TEXTJOIN function allows you to combine text strings from multiple cell ranges and also use delimiting characters (optional).

TEXTJOIN(delimiter, ignore_empty, text1, [text2], ...)

TEXTJOIN(",",,B3:K13)

Step 2 - Split values to an array

TEXTSPLIT(TEXTJOIN(",",,B3:K13),",",,TRUE,"")

Step 3 - Rearrange array to nine columns

The WRAPROWS function rearranges values from a 1D array to a 2D array.

WRAPROWS(vector, wrap_count, [pad_with])

WRAPROWS(TEXTSPLIT(TEXTJOIN(",",,B3:K13),",",,TRUE,""),9,"")

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9. How to create name initials

The array formula in cell C3 extracts the first character from first, middle and last name. The formula works fine with more or less names, up to 1000 characters. You can easily edit the formula if you need more letters.

Excel 365 dynamic array formula in cell C3:

Array formula in cell C3:

To enter an array formula, type the formula in a cell then press and hold CTRL + SHIFT simultaneously, now press Enter once. Release all keys.

The formula bar now shows the formula with a beginning and ending curly bracket telling you that you entered the formula successfully. Don't enter the curly brackets yourself.

Explaining formula in cell C3

Step 1 - Split name into characters

The MID function returns characters from a text string based on a start number and the number of characters. The ROW function creates an array in this case that we need to split the text string into characters. The TRIM function removes leading and trailing spaces.

MID(" "&TRIM(B3), ROW($B$1:$B$1000), 1)

becomes

MID(" "&TRIM(B3), {1;2;3;4;5;6;7;8;9; ... ; 1000}, 1)

becomes

MID(" Atticus Esteban Griffith", {1;2;3;4;5;6;7;8;9; ... ; 1000}, 1)

and returns

{" ";"A";"t";"t";"i";"c";"u";"s";" "; "E";"s";"t";"e";"b"; "a";"n";" ";"G";"r"; "i";"f";"f";"i"; "t";"h";""; ... ;""}.

Step 2 - Check if a character is a space (blank)

The IF function replaces space characters with the next character.

IF(MID(" "&TRIM(B3), ROW($B$1:$B$1000), 1)=" ", " "&MID(TRIM(B3), ROW($B$1:$B$1000), 1), "")

returns {" A";""; ... ; ""}

Step 3 - Concatenate characters

The TEXTJOIN function concatenates characters in an array and in this case ignoring empty array values.

TRIM(TEXTJOIN("", TRUE, IF(MID(" "&TRIM(B3), ROW($B$1:$B$1000), 1)=" ", " "&MID(TRIM(B3), ROW($B$1:$B$1000), 1), "")))

becomes

TRIM(" A E G")

The TRIM function removes leading and trailing spaces.

TRIM(" A E G") returns "A E G" in cell C3.

Get excel *.xlsx file

Initialsv3.xlsx

Useful links

TEXTSPLIT function - Microsoft

11. Split search value using a delimiter and search for each sub string

This article demonstrates formulas and a UDF that searches for values in a table based on concatenated values and returns the corresponding values also concatenated.

The example image above shows "anil singh raj" in cell B3, the UDF and formulas split the string in substrings and search for each sub-string in cell range E3:E5. If a match is found the corresponding value in cell range F3:F5 is returned.

The result values are concatenated if multiple values are matching values in cell range E3:E5. "anil" is found in cell E3, the corresponding value is 10. "singh" is found in cell E5, the corresponding value is 30. Value "raj" is found in cell E4 and the corresponding value in cell F4 is 20. The value returned in cell C3 is 10 30 20.

11.1. User defined Function

I have made a small custom function to split the search string and get the values you are looking for.

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11.1.2. User Defined Function Syntax

SearchValues(str, search_col, return_col)

str - Search string

search_col - lookup column

return_col - values to return

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11.1.3. UDF Formula

Formula in cell C3:

=SearchValues(B3, $E$3:$E$5, $F$3:$F$5)

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11.1.4. User Defined Function - VBA

'Name Function
Function SearchValues(str As Range, search_col As Range, return_col As Range)

'Dimension variables and declare data types
Dim j As Long, i As Long

'Split text in variable str based on a space character
arr = Split(str, " ")

'Save the number of rows in range variable search_col to variable j
j = search_col.Rows.CountLarge

'Iterate through all array values in variable arr 
For Each Vl In arr

    'Go from 1 to number stored in variable j
    For i = 1 To j

        'If ... Then statement
        'Check if value in range variable search_col is equal to variable Vl 
        'Concatenate corresponding value in return_col with result variable if true
        If search_col.Cells(i, 1) = Vl Then result = result & return_col.Cells(i, 1) & " "
    Next i
Next Vl

'Return string stored in result to worksheet
SearchValues = result
End Function

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11.1.5. Where to put the VBA code?

You need to copy the code above and paste it to a code module, detailed instructions below.

1. Open vb editor (shortcut keys: Alt+F11)
2. Insert a new module
3. Paste code to code module
4. Exit vb Editor

Note, save your workbook as a macro-enabled workbook *.xlsm to keep the code attached to your workbook.

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11.2. Excel 2019 Formula

Array formula in cell C3:

11.2.1 Explaining formula in cell C3

Step 1 - Insert XML tags

The SUBSTITUTE function replaces a specific text string in a value. We need to replace the delimiting character to xml tags in order to split the strings into an array.

SUBSTITUTE(text, old_text, new_text, [instance_num])

"<A><B>"& SUBSTITUTE(B3, " ", "</B><B>") & "</B></A>"

returns "<A><B>anil</B><B>singh</B><B>raj</B></A>"

Step 2 - Split string into substrings

The FILTERXML function extracts specific values from XML content by using the given xpath. You can use this function to split a string into substrings.

FILTERXML("<A><B>"& SUBSTITUTE(B3, " ", "</B><B>") & "</B></A>", "//B")

returns {"anil";"singh";"raj"}.

Step 3 - Convert a vertical range to a horizontal range, or vice versa

The TRANSPOSE function allows you to convert a vertical range to a horizontal range, or vice versa.

TRANSPOSE(FILTERXML("<A><B>"& SUBSTITUTE(B3, " ", "</B><B>") & "</B></A>", "//B"))

returns {"anil", "singh", "raj"}.

Step 4 - Search for each value in the array in cell range $E$3:$E$5

The SEARCH function returns a number representing the position of character at which a specific text string is found reading left to right.

SEARCH(find_text,within_text, [start_num])

SEARCH(TRANSPOSE(FILTERXML("<A><B>"& SUBSTITUTE(B3, " ", "</B><B>") & "</B></A>", "//B")), $E$3:$E$5)

returns {1, #VALUE!, ... , #VALUE!}.

Step 5 - Replace #VALUE errors with 0 (zero)

The IFERROR function lets you catch most errors in Excel formulas.

IFERROR(value, value_if_error)

IFERROR(SEARCH(TRANSPOSE(FILTERXML("<A><B>"& SUBSTITUTE(B3, " ", "</B><B>") & "</B></A>", "//B")), $E$3:$E$5), 0)

returns {1, 0, ... , 0}.

Step 6 - Return values if TRUE (1)

The IF function returns one value if the logical test is TRUE and another value if the logical test is FALSE.

IF(logical_test, [value_if_true], [value_if_false])

IF(IFERROR(SEARCH(TRANSPOSE(FILTERXML("<A><B>"& SUBSTITUTE(B3, " ", "</B><B>") & "</B></A>", "//B")), $E$3:$E$5), 0), $F$3:$F$5, "")

returns {10,"","";"","",20;"",30,""}.

Step 7 - Convert a vertical range to a horizontal range, or vice versa

The TRANSPOSE function allows you to convert a vertical range to a horizontal range, or vice versa.

TRANSPOSE(IF(IFERROR(SEARCH(TRANSPOSE(FILTERXML("<A><B>"& SUBSTITUTE(B3, " ", "</B><B>") & "</B></A>", "//B")), $E$3:$E$5), 0), $F$3:$F$5, ""))

returns {10,"","";"","",30;"",20,""}.

Step 8 - Concate values in array

The TEXTJOIN function allows you to combine text strings from multiple cell ranges and also use delimiting characters if you want.

TEXTJOIN(" ", TRUE, TRANSPOSE(IF(IFERROR(SEARCH(TRANSPOSE(FILTERXML("<A><B>"& SUBSTITUTE(B3, " ", "</B><B>") & "</B></A>", "//B")), $E$3:$E$5), 0), $F$3:$F$5, "")))

returns "10 30 20".

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11.3. Lookup each substring in a value and join the result - Excel 365

Excel 365 formula in cell C3:

Explaining formula

Step 1 - Split value into substrings

The TEXTSPLIT function splits a string into an array based on delimiting values.

Function syntax: TEXTSPLIT(Input_Text, col_delimiter, [row_delimiter], [Ignore_Empty])

TEXTSPLIT(B3, " ", , TRUE)

returns {"anil","singh","raj"}.

Step 2 - Match values and return the corresponding values

The LOOKUP function find a value in a cell range and return a corresponding value on the same row.

Function syntax: LOOKUP(lookup_value, lookup_vector, [result_vector])

LOOKUP(TEXTSPLIT(B3, " ", , TRUE), $E$3:$E$5, $F$3:$F$5)

returns {10,30,20}.

Step 3 - Join the corresponding values

The TEXTJOIN function combines text strings from multiple cell ranges.

Function syntax: TEXTJOIN(delimiter, ignore_empty, text1, [text2], ...)

TEXTJOIN(" ", TRUE, LOOKUP(TEXTSPLIT(B3, " ", , TRUE), $E$3:$E$5, $F$3:$F$5))

returns "10 30 20".

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12. Function not working

The TEXTSPLIT function returns

• #VALUE! error if you use a non-numeric input value in the fourth argument [Ignore_Empty].
• #NAME? error if you misspell the function name.
• propagates errors, meaning that if the input contains an error (e.g., #VALUE!, #REF!), the function will return the same error.

12.1 Troubleshooting the error value

When you encounter an error value in a cell a warning symbol appears, displayed in the image above. Press with mouse on it to see a pop-up menu that lets you get more information about the error.

1. The first line describes the error if you press with left mouse button on it.
2. The second line opens a pane that explains the error in greater detail.
3. The third line takes you to the "Evaluate Formula" tool, a dialog box appears allowing you to examine the formula in greater detail.
4. This line lets you ignore the error value meaning the warning icon disappears, however, the error is still in the cell.
5. The fifth line lets you edit the formula in the Formula bar.
6. The sixth line opens the Excel settings so you can adjust the Error Checking Options.

Here are a few of the most common Excel errors you may encounter.

#NULL error - This error occurs most often if you by mistake use a space character in a formula where it shouldn't be. Excel interprets a space character as an intersection operator. If the ranges don't intersect an #NULL error is returned. The #NULL! error occurs when a formula attempts to calculate the intersection of two ranges that do not actually intersect. This can happen when the wrong range operator is used in the formula, or when the intersection operator (represented by a space character) is used between two ranges that do not overlap. To fix this error double check that the ranges referenced in the formula that use the intersection operator actually have cells in common.

#SPILL error - The #SPILL! error occurs only in version Excel 365 and is caused by a dynamic array being to large, meaning there are cells below and/or to the right that are not empty. This prevents the dynamic array formula expanding into new empty cells.

#DIV/0 error - This error happens if you try to divide a number by 0 (zero) or a value that equates to zero which is not possible mathematically.

#VALUE error - The #VALUE error occurs when a formula has a value that is of the wrong data type. Such as text where a number is expected or when dates are evaluated as text.

#REF error - The #REF error happens when a cell reference is invalid. This can happen if a cell is deleted that is referenced by a formula.

#NAME error - The #NAME error happens if you misspelled a function or a named range.

#NUM error - The #NUM error shows up when you try to use invalid numeric values in formulas, like square root of a negative number.

#N/A error - The #N/A error happens when a value is not available for a formula or found in a given cell range, for example in the VLOOKUP or MATCH functions.

#GETTING_DATA error - The #GETTING_DATA error shows while external sources are loading, this can indicate a delay in fetching the data or that the external source is unavailable right now.

12.2 The formula returns an unexpected value

To understand why a formula returns an unexpected value we need to examine the calculations steps in detail. Luckily, Excel has a tool that is really handy in these situations. Here is how to troubleshoot a formula:

1. Select the cell containing the formula you want to examine in detail.
2. Go to tab “Formulas” on the ribbon.
3. Press with left mouse button on "Evaluate Formula" button. A dialog box appears.
   The formula appears in a white field inside the dialog box. Underlined expressions are calculations being processed in the next step. The italicized expression is the most recent result. The buttons at the bottom of the dialog box allows you to evaluate the formula in smaller calculations which you control.
4. Press with left mouse button on the "Evaluate" button located at the bottom of the dialog box to process the underlined expression.
5. Repeat pressing the "Evaluate" button until you have seen all calculations step by step. This allows you to examine the formula in greater detail and hopefully find the culprit.
6. Press "Close" button to dismiss the dialog box.

There is also another way to debug formulas using the function key F9. F9 is especially useful if you have a feeling that a specific part of the formula is the issue, this makes it faster than the "Evaluate Formula" tool since you don't need to go through all calculations to find the issue.

1. Enter Edit mode: Double-press with left mouse button on the cell or press F2 to enter Edit mode for the formula.
2. Select part of the formula: Highlight the specific part of the formula you want to evaluate. You can select and evaluate any part of the formula that could work as a standalone formula.
3. Press F9: This will calculate and display the result of just that selected portion.
4. Evaluate step-by-step: You can select and evaluate different parts of the formula to see intermediate results.
5. Check for errors: This allows you to pinpoint which part of a complex formula may be causing an error.

The image above shows cell reference B3 converted to hard-coded value using the F9 key.

Tips!

• View actual values: Selecting a cell reference and pressing F9 will show the actual values in those cells.
• Exit safely: Press Esc to exit Edit mode without changing the formula. Don't press Enter, as that would replace the formula part with the calculated value.
• Full recalculation: Pressing F9 outside of Edit mode will recalculate all formulas in the workbook.

Remember to be careful not to accidentally overwrite parts of your formula when using F9. Always exit with Esc rather than Enter to preserve the original formula. However, if you make a mistake overwriting the formula it is not the end of the world. You can “undo” the action by pressing keyboard shortcut keys CTRL + z or pressing the “Undo” button

12.3 Other errors

Floating-point arithmetic may give inaccurate results in Excel - Article

Floating-point errors are usually very small, often beyond the 15th decimal place, and in most cases don't affect calculations significantly.

'TEXTSPLIT' function examples

Functions in 'Text' category

The TEXTSPLIT function function is one of 29 functions in the 'Text' category.

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