How to Split Text into Columns in Google Sheets

To split text into columns in Google Sheets, select the cells and go to Data → Split text to columns — Sheets separates each cell at a delimiter you choose, like a comma or space. For a result that updates when the source changes, use the =SPLIT() formula instead.

Menu or formula — which?

Differences from Excel: Excel calls this Text to Columns and puts it under the Data tab with its own wizard (see how to split cells in Excel). Sheets’ version is simpler and has no wizard — you pick the delimiter in a small menu, and Sheets guesses it first.

Method 1: Split text to columns (the menu)

1. Insert empty columns to the right — this overwrites whatever’s there.
2. Select the column containing the combined text.
3. Go to Data → Split text to columns.
4. A small separator box appears at the bottom. Pick Comma, Semicolon, Period, Space, or Custom.
5. If you choose Custom, type your delimiter (e.g. - or |).
6. Sheets splits immediately and the box disappears.

It guesses the separator first. If you see the wrong split, undo (Ctrl + Z) and run it again with the separator you actually want.

Always insert blank columns first. Like Excel’s version, this writes over adjacent cells.

Method 2: SPLIT() — a live formula

SPLIT leaves the original column alone and spills results into the neighbouring cells:

=SPLIT(A2, ",")

That splits A2 on every comma. Change the delimiter in the quotes for a different one:

That last row is the advantage over the menu: SPLIT accepts a multi-character delimiter, so ", " (comma and space) removes both at once. The menu can’t do that.

Because it’s a formula, the split follows the source — edit A2 and the outputs update.

Splitting several rows at once

The menu handles a whole column in one action.

For the formula, write it once and fill down:

=SPLIT(A2, ",")

Drag the fill handle down column B, and each row splits its own value. Sheets spills each result into as many columns as that row needs.

Common examples

“Last, First” names — =SPLIT(A2, ", ") gives the last name and first name cleanly.

CSV-style rows — =SPLIT(A2, ",") for values separated by plain commas.

Join them back — the reverse of splitting is =TEXTJOIN(", ", TRUE, B2:C2), which rebuilds a combined string from separate cells.

Splitting into rows instead of columns

SPLIT always goes across. To stack values vertically (for example, turning "Red, Green, Blue" in one cell into three rows), wrap it in TRANSPOSE:

=TRANSPOSE(SPLIT(A2, ", "))

Common problems

What to do with the result

Once the values are separate, removing duplicates in Google Sheets is a common next step for cleaned-up lists, and conditional formatting can flag anything odd in the new columns.

If you’re still getting comfortable with the formula side, Google Sheets formulas for beginners covers the basics — and the equivalent in Microsoft’s tool is in how to split cells in Excel.

FAQ

How do I split text into columns in Google Sheets?

Select the column → Data → Split text to columns → choose the separator. Insert blank columns first, since it overwrites what’s to the right.

What’s the formula to split text in Google Sheets?

=SPLIT(A2, ",") splits the cell on commas and spills the pieces into adjacent cells. It updates automatically when the source changes.

Can I split by more than one character?

Yes — with the formula, not the menu. =SPLIT(A2, ", ") splits on a comma and the following space together.

Why did my split overwrite other columns?

Split text to columns writes into the cells to the right of your selection. Insert empty columns first, or press Ctrl + Z immediately.

How do I split text into rows instead of columns?

Wrap it: =TRANSPOSE(SPLIT(A2, ", ")) stacks the results downward instead of across.