The TEXTSPLIT function, introduced in Excel 2025, offers a powerful way to split text strings into separate columns or rows based on specified delimiters. Whether you’re working with CSV data, customer information, or system-generated reports, TEXTSPLIT provides a formula-based approach to text manipulation that surpasses traditional Text to Columns functionality.
Split Text Into Columns Using TEXTSPLIT
The TEXTSPLIT function follows a straightforward syntax while offering advanced capabilities for text manipulation. Let’s explore how to use it effectively.
Basic Syntax and Implementation
The fundamental syntax of TEXTSPLIT is:
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=TEXTSPLIT(text, column_delimiter, [row_delimiter], [ignore_empty], [match_mode], [pad_with])
Let’s break down each parameter:
- text: The string or cell reference containing text to split
- column_delimiter: Character(s) used to split text horizontally
- row_delimiter: Optional character(s) used to split text vertically
- ignore_empty: TRUE/FALSE to handle empty results
- match_mode: Controls exact or partial delimiter matching
- pad_with: Value to insert in empty cells
Working with Common Delimiters
Command: Split Names Using Comma Delimiter
- Select the destination cell
- Enter the formula:
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=TEXTSPLIT(A1, “,”) - Press Enter to see the split result
Example:
Input |
Output Column 1 |
Output Column 2 |
---|---|---|
Smith, John |
Smith |
John |

Command: Split Text Using Multiple Delimiters
- Select your target cell
- Use this formula for multiple delimiters:
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=TEXTSPLIT(A2, {“,”, ” “}) - Press Enter to apply

How to Split Text by Custom Delimiters
Custom delimiters allow you to handle specialized text formats and complex data structures.
Using Special Characters
Command: Split Text Using Special Characters
- Identify your special character delimiter
- Enter the TEXTSPLIT formula:
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=TEXTSPLIT(A1, “|”) - Adjust the formula based on your needs
Example with pipe delimiter:
Input |
Column 1 |
Column 2 |
Column 3 |
---|---|---|---|
data1|data2|data3 ![]()
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data1 |
data2 |
data3 |

Converting Complex Text Data with TEXTSPLIT
Handling Multi-dimensional Splits
Command: Split Data Across Rows and Columns
- Set up your data source
- Use both column and row delimiters:
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=TEXTSPLIT(A2, “;”, CHAR(10)) - Check results in the spilled range

Error Handling and Empty Cells
Command: Handle Missing Data
- Add the ignore_empty parameter:
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=TEXTSPLIT(A2, “,”, , TRUE)

- Specify pad_with value for empty cells:
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=TEXTSPLIT(A2, “,”, , TRUE, , “N/A”)

What Does TEXTSPLIT Do Differently Than Text to Columns?
TEXTSPLIT offers several advantages over Text to Columns:
- Formula-based approach allowing for dynamic updates
- Multiple delimiter support in a single operation
- Integration with other Excel functions
- Automatic spilling of results
- Better handling of irregular data patterns
Common TEXTSPLIT Applications
Processing CSV Data
Command: Import and Split CSV Data
- Reference your CSV data cell
- Apply TEXTSPLIT with comma delimiter:
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=TEXTSPLIT(A2, “,”) - Handle quoted text if necessary:
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=TEXTSPLIT(A2, “””,”””)
Working with System-Generated Reports
Command: Clean and Split Report Data
- Combine with CLEAN function:
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=TEXTSPLIT(CLEAN(A2), TAB) - Apply additional formatting as needed
Next Steps
TEXTSPLIT revolutionizes how we handle text data in Excel, offering a powerful alternative to manual text splitting methods. From basic comma-separated values to complex multi-dimensional data structures, TEXTSPLIT provides the flexibility and functionality needed for modern data processing tasks.
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