find a variable text string

[peter]

I need help using the search and replace functions. I need to find a
12 character long string of numbers within a text string. The problem
is that the location of the 12 character string is not always the same
within the whole text string and string is different in nearly every
instance. the only constants are that it is 12 characters long, where
every character ranges from 0 to 9 and the string is always preceded
and followed by a space character.

I was trying to use wildcards to search for any 14 character string
beginning and ending with ^w (whitespace) which can be done in WORD
but evidently not in excel,

Alternativley i tried to search for a 12 character string made up only
of characters 0,1,2,3, etc. but came up empty.

any help is appreciated.

 

[Teethless mama]

Select your range

Edit > Replace > Find What: press a space bar > Replace With: leave it blank

 

[Elkar]

For your find criteria, just type the space before and after your 12 question
marks

????????????

Although, the character you're looking for may not be a regular space, there
is also a non-breaking space character. If thats the case, try entering the
same as above, but instead of using the space bar, hold the ALT key and type
0160 on the number pad.

HTH,
Elkar