Excel String Functions Tutorial

Overview

• Tutorial on how to use MID, LEFT, and RIGHT functions in Microsoft Excel.
• These functions are used to extract specific text or numbers from a cell.

Use Cases

• Extracting bits of information from text or numbers.
• Example: Extracting area codes from phone numbers, zip codes from addresses, and months from dates.

LEFT Function

• Purpose: Extracts a specified number of characters from the beginning (left side) of a text string.
• Example: Extracting area codes from phone numbers.
  • Steps:
    1. Click on the cell to enter the formula (e.g., E2).
    2. Type =LEFT( followed by the text cell reference (e.g., D2).
    3. Specify the number of characters (e.g., 5 to include parenthesis).
    4. Enter the formula and use autofill to apply to other cells.
• Use Case: Useful for extracting consistent starting characters.

RIGHT Function

• Purpose: Extracts a specified number of characters from the end (right side) of a text string.
• Example: Extracting zip codes from addresses.
  • Steps:
    1. Type =RIGHT( followed by text cell reference (e.g., C2).
    2. Specify the number of characters (e.g., 5 for zip codes).
    3. Enter the formula and use autofill to apply to other cells.
• Use Case: Helpful for extracting consistent ending characters, sorting data by zip code.

MID Function

• Purpose: Extracts characters from the middle of a text string, based on a starting position and length.
• Example: Extracting months from a date string.
  • Steps:
    1. Type =MID( followed by the text cell reference (e.g., B2).
    2. Specify starting character position (e.g., 6) for the month.
    3. Specify the number of characters (e.g., 3 for "JUN").
    4. Enter the formula and use autofill to apply to other cells.
• Use Case: Useful for extracting specific data located in middle of text.

Combining Functions

• Example: Extract year using RIGHT function.
  • Steps:
    1. Use =RIGHT( with the starting cell reference (e.g., B2).
    2. Specify number of characters needed (e.g., 4 for year).
    3. Apply with autofill for other cells.

Conclusion

• Excel string functions (LEFT, RIGHT, MID) are powerful tools for data extraction and manipulation.
• Useful for organizing and analyzing data efficiently.

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