Extracting Initials from Given names

[petere]

Version: 2008 Operating System: Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) Processor: Intel I have a column of 100 Given Names (1 to3) and I wish to extract the initials into a new column. Any ideas?

 

[CyberTaz]

Well, if you wait long enough there may be someone come along with a VBA
solution to deal with the variable character length or something more
elegant, but a dummy like myself would do it this way Assuming the names
in each cell use a consistent separator, such as a <space> (ie, John Allen
Robert, William Joseph, etc.);

Select the column of names making sure there are at least 2 empty columns
immediately to the right of it, then use Data> Text to Columns to separate
the names into 3 separate columns. Let's say the original data begins in
cell A1 -- that will put the individual names for each record the adjacent
columns beginning in A1:C1, then

Put this formula in D1 or whatever: =CONCATENATE(LEFT(A1),LEFT(B1),LEFT(C1))

Then copy the formula down as far as necessary. Once you're done you can
select & copy the cells that contain the formula. Leaving them selected go
to Edit> Paste Special, select the Values option, then click OK to replace
the formulas with the names as text.

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[petere]

Many thanks-worked a treat.

 

[CyberTaz]

Ah, you impetuous lad -- couldn't wait for something more ritzy

Glad to help!

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac