# Text to columns?

**URL:** <https://community.citadel5.com/t/text-to-columns/92>\
**Category:** GS-Calc Support\
**Created:** [October 28, 2014, 3:35pm UTC](https://community.citadel5.com/t/text-to-columns/92 "2014-10-28T15:35:33Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Crash-14](https://community.citadel5.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/aeb1de/32.png) [@Crash-14](https://community.citadel5.com/u/Crash-14)\
**Post date:** [October 28, 2014, 3:35pm UTC](https://community.citadel5.com/t/text-to-columns/92/1 "2014-10-28T15:35:33Z")

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I am trying to split date/time data in a column. It is formatted as MM/DD/YYYY HH:MM. I need to split it by the space so time is in a new column.

In other programs, a “text to columns” feature is available. Is it possible to do so with GS-Calc? I have read through the help section and do not see anything about splitting data.

Thanks.

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**Author:** ![citadel\_5](https://community.citadel5.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@citadel\_5](https://community.citadel5.com/u/citadel_5)\
**Post date:** [October 29, 2014, 11:31am UTC](https://community.citadel5.com/t/text-to-columns/92/2 "2014-10-29T11:31:00Z")

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There is no specific “split” command to do this, however there are still a few methods to split cell contents:

1. Using the find(), left(), mid() and right() functions with array/range arguments. After the output data is generated the formula can be converted to a value or one can use the “Formula Composer” dialog box to insert the formula result as values/strings at once.  
Find() optionally uses regular expressions so the splitting pattern can be much more compound.

2. Saving and loading a given range to/from a text file with different cell separators.

3. Using a script.

I think the upcoming ver. 14 should include some additional improvements re: this functionality (e.g. a specific “splitting” function or command or some ready to use scripts).

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Crash-14](https://community.citadel5.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/aeb1de/32.png) [@Crash-14](https://community.citadel5.com/u/Crash-14)\
**Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 2:36pm UTC](https://community.citadel5.com/t/text-to-columns/92/3 "2015-03-31T14:36:47Z")

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I’m pleased to report in version 14 using _Edit-Split Cells_ and pressing the space bar worked perfectly for what I wanted to do (for anyone reading this later, obviously any character could be used in the box to split the cells, I just needed the space to do this). Thanks for the update, this program has been a lifesaver for my huge files.

**Process** (version 14):

1. Insert a new empty column (_Tools - Insert Column_) to the right of where you wish to have the data split.
2. Select fields that have data to be split so only they are highlighted.
3. Click _Edit_ then _Split Cells_ from the drop-down menu.
4. In the _Split Cells - Separator_ box that appears, type in the character that appears where you wish to use to split them. In my case, I had a column of DD/MM/YYYY HH:MM. I used the space bar. Click _OK_.

Your split data will appear in the new column from #1 above. I had the original column of DD/MM/YYYY and a new column of HH:MM.