Is it possible to separate information into new cells on Microsoft Excel?

Question

For a recent Envoromental Hazards project I was required to upload information regarding the pH, condition and temperature of a body of water at various times. The information was succesfully uploaded to Microsoft Excel, but each set of information was placed in the same cell. I can't work with the data in this format, and need to separate each value into its own cell. However, I have around 2000 sets of data to sort through, and doing this all manually will take far too long. Is there a formula, or process, I can use which will extract pieces of information from one cell and transfer it to its own, new cell?

Answer 1

Are they separated by tabs? commas? or single space? If yes, you can use data/table to columns option and choose the right delimiters to separate them.
If they are exactly spaced, you can break it manually using data/table to columns option also.
Finally, if the above does not work, then it is major surgery time. Put on some eyedrops, import into word. You can use word extremely powerful string search and replace option to reorganize your data.
Or send me the file to have a look.

Answer 2

Yes you can do this.

1) Highlight the cells that contain your data.
2) Click Data, Choose "Text To Columns"

You will see a window titled:
"Convert Text to Columns Wizard - Step 1 of 3"

Just follow the wizard. Choose a deliter, probably a space or choose fixed width if appropriate.

Make sure when given the choice to mark columns as General, Date or Text. It will make a difference when displayed and whe you need to use in calculations.

Don't worry if you screw up. Just don't save the file. You can always back up and try again. It really is a powerful feature and will save you a lot of manual typing!

Hope this helps,
Kind Regards,
QwertyKPH @ Yahoo !