How to Split a Cell in Google Sheets

Sanskar Tiwari

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Sanskar Tiwari

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7 min read

Split complex cell data in Google Sheets into separate columns using built-in tools or formulas easily

Sometimes a single cell in Google Sheets contains multiple pieces of information, like "John Doe, New York" or "123-456-7890." Splitting such data into separate cells makes it easier to organize and analyze.
Google Sheets offers built-in tools like Split text to columns and formulas such as SPLIT() to divide cell content.
This tutorial walks you through both easy and advanced methods to split data in a cell efficiently.

How to Split a Cell in Google Sheets | Step-by-Step Guide

Method 1: Use “Split text to columns”

Step 1: Open your Google Sheet and select the cell or column you want to split.
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Step 2: Click on the Data menu in the top bar.
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Step 3: Choose Split text to columns from the dropdown.
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Step 4: A separator dropdown will appear. Select the appropriate separator like comma, space, semicolon, or custom.
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Result: The content in the selected cells will now be split into multiple columns based on your chosen delimiter.

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Method 2: Use the SPLIT() Function

Step 1: In a new cell, use the formula:
Replace A1 with the reference to your target cell and , with your actual separator.
Step 2: Press Enter, and the cell content will be divided into multiple cells horizontally.
Bonus Tip: You can also split by characters like slashes (/) or hyphens (-) depending on your data.

Conclusion

Splitting cells in Google Sheets helps clean and structure your data for better analysis and readability.
Whether using the quick "Split text to columns" feature or the SPLIT() function, both methods are easy and effective for managing mixed content in a single cell.

FAQs can come handy!

Can I split cells vertically instead of horizontally?

No, the built-in functions only split across columns (horizontally), not rows (vertically).

What happens to data in adjacent columns?

Make sure there's no data next to the target cell, as splitting can overwrite it.

Can I use multiple delimiters in the SPLIT() function?

Yes! For example: =SPLIT(A1, ",;") splits by both commas and semicolons.

Does splitting work on merged cells?

No, you must unmerge cells before using split functions.

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About the author

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Sanskar Tiwari— Founder at SheetAI & Google Sheets Expert

Sanskar is Founder at IAG Tech and creator of SheetAI. With over 3 years of experience building AI-powered spreadsheet tools, he has helped 100k+ users master Google Sheets automation and advanced formulas. He has built 24+ productivity products and teaches spreadsheet optimization on YouTube.

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