How to Separate First and Last Names in Excel

This tutorial takes about 2 minutes to complete.

Introduction

This tutorial shows how to split a column of full names into separate first and last name columns using Excel's built-in Text to Columns feature. It takes about two minutes and works on any list where the first and last names are separated by a single space.

Step 1: Set up your columns

Add headers for the columns you're splitting into. Label column B "First Name" and column C "Last Name."

Step 2: Copy your full names into column A

Select the full names in column A and copy them (Ctrl+C).

Step 3: Split with Text to Columns

With the data still selected, go to the Data tab and click Text to Columns. In the wizard, keep Delimited selected and click Next. On the next screen, uncheck any pre-checked delimiters (like Tab) and check Space instead. Click Next, then Finish.

Step 4: Check your results

Column B now has the first names, and column C has the last names. Scan a few rows to make sure the split looks right.