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How to split full name to first and last name in Excel?

Supposing you have a name roster as the first screen shot shows in single column below, and you need to split the full name to the first name column, middle name column and last name column as the following screenshot shown. Here are some tricky methods to help you solve this problem:


Split full name to first and last name with formulas

Split full names to first and last names:

You can use the Left function, Right function and Find function to spit a full name to the first name and last name with following steps:

1. Enter the formula of =LEFT(A2,FIND(" ",A2,1)-1) in a blank cell, says Cell C2 in this case, and then drag the fill handle down to the cells which you want to fill this formula, and all first names have been extracted at once, see screenshot:

doc split full names 2

2. Then enter the formula of =RIGHT(A2,LEN(A2)-FIND(" ",A2,1)) in another blank cell, Cell D2, and drag the fill handle down to the cells which you want to apply this formula, and all last names have been extracted in column D as following screenshot shown:

doc split full names 3


Split full names to first, middle and last names:

If you want to split full names to first, middle and last names into separate columns, the following formulas may do you a favor.

1. Enter this formula: =LEFT(A2,SEARCH(" ",A2)) into a blank cell C2, and then drag the fill handle down to the cells to apply this formula, and all first names have been split into column C, see screenshot:

doc split full names 4

2. Then enter this formula: =MID(A2,SEARCH(" ",A2,1)+1,SEARCH(" ",A2,SEARCH(" ",A2,1)+1)-SEARCH(" ",A2,1)) into a blank cell D2, and then drag the fill handle down to the cells to apply this formula, and all middle names have been split into column D, see screenshot:

doc split full names 5

3. At last, enter this formula: =RIGHT(A2,LEN(A2)-SEARCH(" ",A2,SEARCH(" ",A2,SEARCH(" ",A2)+1))) into a blank cell E2, and then drag the fill handle down to the cells to apply this formula, and all first names have been split into column E, see screenshot:

doc split full names 6


Split full name to first and last name with Text to Column command

It is not easy to remember the function. Please do not worry about it. The second way will guild you to split the full name column easily.

1. Select the column that you will split, in this case it is A2:A13.

2. Click the Text to Columns button under Data Tab.

doc split full names 7

3. In the Convert Text to Columns Wizard – Step 1 of 3 dialog box, check the Delimited option, and click Next button.

doc split full names 8

4. In the Step 2 of 3 wizard, only check the Space option in the Delimiters section, and click Next button.

doc split full names 9

5. In the following wizard, check the Text option in the Column data format section, and specify the Destination cell where you want to put the results. See screenshot:

doc split full names 10

6. Click the Finish button. Then you will see the full name column has been separated into first name column, middle name column  and last name column at once.


Split full name to first and last name with Kutools for Excel quickly and easily

If you are tired with the above two methods, here, I can recommend you a useful tool – Kutools for Excel, with its Split Names feature, you can quickly split the full names to first and last names, or split full names to first, middle and last names as you need.

Kutools for Excel : with more than 300 handy Excel add-ins, free to try with no limitation in 30 days. 

After installing Kutools for Excel, please do as follows:

1. Select the name range that you want to split.

2. Click Kutools > Merge & Split > Split Names, in the Split Names dialog box, specify the Split types you want, if you want to split the full name to first and last name, please check First name and Last name, see screenshot:

3. Then click OK button, and another dialog will appear, please select a cell where you want to put the result in the dialog, see screenshot:

doc split full names 12

4. And click OK button, the full names have been split into first name column and last name column, see screenshot:

doc split full names 13

Note: If your full name contains first, middle and last names needed to be split into three columns separately, you just need to check First name, Middle name and Last name in the Split Names dialog box and you will get the following result:

doc split full names 14

Download and free trial Kutools for Excel Now !


Split full names to first and last names by comma or other delimiters:

If your full names are separated by comma or other delimiters in cell,Kutools for Excel' Split Cells feature also can do you a favor, see screenshot:

doc split full names 15

Kutools for Excel: with more than 300 handy Excel add-ins, free to try with no limitation in 30 days. Download and free trial Now!


Split full name to first and last name with Kutools for Excel quickly

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Comments (88)
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This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site
I am able to, using Kutools, split First and Last names into two separate cells, but only on one worksheet at a time. I want to split First and Last names in same cells on 50 different worksheets within the same workbook. Is that possible? I've tried and the Kutools options for doing this become inoperable (greyed out). Please help! I don't want to have to do these one at a time. Thank you!
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Hi there,

Plesae insert the below VBA code into a module in your Excel workbook:
Sub split_names()

'Update by ExtendOffice 2022/09/23

    Dim xArray As Variant
    Dim xValue As Variant
    Dim xSplit As Variant
    Dim xRg As Range
    Dim xSaveRg As Range

    With ThisWorkbook
        xArray = Array(.Sheets("Sheet1").Range("A1:A11"), .Sheets("Sheet2").Range("B1:B10"), .Sheets("Sheet3").Range("A1:A10"))
    End With

    For i = LBound(xArray, 1) To UBound(xArray, 1)
        
        Set xRg = Application.Range(xArray(i).Address(True, True, xlA1, True))
        Set xSaveRg = xRg.Offset(0, xRg.Columns.Count + 1)
        xValue = xRg.Value
        
        For b = LBound(xValue, 1) To UBound(xValue, 1)
            
            xSplit = Split(xValue(b, 1), " ")
            xSaveRg(b, 1).Value = xSplit(0)
            xSaveRg(b, 2).Value = xSplit(UBound(xSplit))
        
        Next
         
    Next
    
End Sub

Note:
1. In the 12th row of the code, you should change the sheet names and corresponding column ranges to the actual names and column ranges where full names are.
2. After inserting the code and pressing F5 to run the code, the first and last names will apprear in two columns next to the original full names column. If there are data in the output columns, make sure to move them to other columns, otherwise the data will be overwritten.
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I downloaded and installed your utility, but the "Split Names" function was not on the "Text" submenu. I could not find it elsewhere. What gives?
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Hello, Steven,
We have moved this feature under the Merge & Split, please view the screenshot:

Sorry for this inconvenience.
Please try, thank you!
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It was incredibly helpful Thank you very much! I would never be able to figure it our on my own. All your formulas work! Marilyn
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This worked perfectly! Thanks!
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Works for people with 2 or 3 names. In some countries, people have 4 or more names. Creating a formula that split a FullName into FirstName, LastName and Middle Names, that's a real challenge...
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thanks alot :D
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Any news on a hyphenated last name, keeping them together?
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Thank You - incredibly helpful
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beautiful, that was a good show
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Thank you, this was really helpful, and your answer to one of the questions below, about copying and pasting the values to get rid of the equation was equally helpful!
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Thanks so much! Worked perfectly!
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Brilliant!
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these are great, but!!! after splitting the names i need to remove the column with both names, and that makes the calculation throw an error.

how can i split (columnB) Bob Smith into (columnC) Bob then (columnD) Smith and then delete columnB, so i'm left with just the FName and LName columns?
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Hi kmrod,

From my understanding, you put your formulas into columnC and D to get Fname(columnC) and Lname(columnD). Once you do this you try delete columnB and then C and D just say errors?

If this is the case, sounds like your formulas are still active when you delete columnB. Have you tried copying columnC and columnD then right click over columnC choose -> paste special -> Values -> OK. Then go ahead and delete columnB and that should keep C and D intact.

Hopefully this fixes your issue.
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thanks! this has been helpful
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Hi: I have the following naming convention "035849 - Doe, John"
and I need to be able to have the name separated out as Doe John. Can you please help me. Thank you
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Click on data -> Text to Columns -> Delimited (Next>) then only tick the Comma box and click finish. Hope this helped.
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site
Hi KB: Thank you for your response but unfortunately the command returns: 035849 - Doe, John. What I am looking for is some kind of formula that will extract from the above, as I have thousands of these names, so that the end result is one the name: Doe John, with no comma. Thanks
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site
Hello, Tanya,


First, you can apply the Text to Columns > Delimited > other(-) to split the text strings to numbers and names, then use the Find and Replace function to replace the commas to nothing. And you will only get the names with no comma.


Hope it can help you. Thank you!
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Hi Tanya, are you able to use the above code =RIGHT(A2,LEN(A2)-SEARCH(" ",A2,SEARCH(" ",A2,SEARCH(" ",A2)+1))) then select the new column with "Doe, John" in it and use a find and replace on the comma, or does it need to be in a formula?
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Hi KB: This is wonderful, thank you. I definitely wanted it in a formula. Now, when I use this formula, what I get is Doe, John" with a remaining " at the end. I can certainly do another find/replace to remove it along with the comma, but I am wondering if there is a way within the formula to get rid of the remaining "? Thank you so much!!!!!!
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Hi Tanya, sorry I didn't realise the speech marks were also part of the text. In that case perhaps try this code =LEFT(MID(A1, FIND("-", A1) + 2, 255), LEN(MID(A1, FIND("-", A1) + 2, 255)) - 1) then do a find and replace on the comma (Sorry can't think of any way to get rid of this through a formula). Hopefully that should make life easier :)
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Thank you so much!!!!!
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Thank you so much this save me so much time
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Hi, Kindly help me. As i want to split below name, i have couple (1000) of candidate names in excel like below mentioned format MASTERS/University of Dhaka/Mathematics/1ST/2005 Please suggest!!!!!
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What a LIFESAVER! Thank you for the Demo! Kutools is AWESOME and so user friendly!
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Hi, I need help to create a excel formula to separate the names below in each columns. John,,Doe,123-45-6789 John,A,Doe,123-45-6789 John,Dee,Doe,123-45-6789 John,D,de la,Doe,123-45-6789 John,,DoeIII,123-45-6789
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When I attempt this it looses all my other columns, i.e. Street, City, State, Zip
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Thanks for the article, its saved alot of time. Regards @[url]freshersidea.com[/url]
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Hi, Kindly help me. As i want to split below name, i have couple (1000) of candidate names in excel like below mentioned format MukeshKumarR JojimonMathew YuvarajIndiresan Please suggest!!!!!
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[quote]Hi, Kindly help me. As i want to split below name, i have couple (1000) of candidate names in excel like below mentioned format MukeshKumarR JojimonMathew YuvarajIndiresan Please suggest!!!!!By Abirami[/quote] Hello, Abirami: Maybe the following article can solve your problem, please view it: http://www.extendoffice.com/documents/excel/3336-excel-split-text-by-capital-letter.html
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HI, Please help me. as i want to split below name. Raj Narayan Shankar Pandey Please help !!
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You can use Text to Column Function which is laying in DATA Tab..
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To separate name wherein the only delimiter is Uppercase. ex: WilliamSmith (First Name & Last Name) OR WilliamJSmith (First Name, Middle Name(Initial) & Last Name) TRY THIS OUT!!! For First Name & Last Name --> Assuming A1 contains : WilliamSmith Last Name - C1 : =MID(A1,MATCH(1,(CODE(MID(A1,ROW($1:$255),1))>=65)*(CODE(MID(A1,ROW($2:$255),1)) Assuming A1 contains : WilliamJSmith Formula extension - E1 : =MID(A1,MATCH(1,(CODE(MID(A1,ROW($1:$255),1))>=65)*(CODE(MID(A1,ROW($2:$255),1))=65)*(CODE(MID(E1,ROW($2:$255),1))
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site
Hey if you want to split First Name Middle name and Last Name Use the convert text to column option mentioned in the blog and when the popup window shows Treat consecutive delimiters as one UNTICK the option It will split the name in three parts.But all names should have three parts or else the names with only two parts will show last name in middle name column.
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Can someone help me to trim and split names? ex: SANDRA K GREEN MD I need to trim off MD if is easier and have Last name, first name and middle initial in separate cells. Thanks so much!
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Hi Demi! To separate any name with a First Name, Middle Name(Initial), Last Name and Suffix, please use the below formula in the designated cells Assuming A1 contains : SANDRA K GREEN MD B1 : =LEFT(A1,SEARCH(" ",A1,1)-1) C1 : =MID(A1,SEARCH(" ",A1,1)+1,SEARCH(" ",A1,SEARCH(" ",A1,1)+1)-SEARCH(" ",A1,1)-1) D1 : =MID(A1,SEARCH(" ",A1,SEARCH(" ",A1,1)+1)+1,SEARCH(" ",A1,SEARCH(" ",A1,SEARCH(" ",A1,1)+1)+1)-SEARCH(" ",A1,SEARCH(" ",A1,1)+1)-1) E1 : =RIGHT(A1,LEN(A1)-SEARCH(" ",A1,SEARCH(" ",A1,SEARCH(" ",A1,1)+1)+1)) If you wish to eliminate the suffix you could leave the E1 cell blank.
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thank you very much, your functions work fine, but there are some extra spaces in the formulas that need to be corrected...
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Hi, I need help to trim and split names. I have to split a full name such as "SANDRA K GREEN MD" into Last name, first name and middle initials in separate columns. I can trim off the MD after the full name if is easier. Please help! Thanks so much!
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Can anyone help me figure out a formula on how to take First Name Last Name in the same cell such as [Jon Smith], and make it First Name Last Initial in the same cell? So basically... [John Smith] to [John S]. Thanks!
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how to split two words in one cell,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
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Guidelines is so good... thank u very much.....
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HI ALL, how to combine excel formula?,below are the formula that need to combine: =TEXT(E3,"hh:mm") =M3+"9:00:00" =TEXT(U3,"hh:mm") =M3&"-" =IFERROR(CONCATENATE(AK3,AC3)," ")
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how can i split data from right two special character using i have given below text: 0-7-F SPORTS-CHAPPAL Need : F SPORTS-CHAPPAL
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hi, example i have: Andres, Isabelita how can i split firstname and last name? another Bayabos, Rowena V. how can i split firstname, middle name and lastname? hope someone can help me..
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How do I copy the newly separated out data without the formula?
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I like what you guys are up too. This kind of clever work and exposure! edgbfagadkkeebde
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=LEFT(a3,IFERROR(FIND(" ",a3),LEN(a3)))
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Can anyone please tell me how I would use the first and last name split function in a Name Range or in a Data Validation or suggest an alternative method. Thank in advance for your help.
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how to separate RajSingh in Excel name is not space but first name first cartare big and sur name first cartare big
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Andre Van Damme - is in column A I want Andre in column A and Van Damme in Column B how??
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This is such a great help! Thank you.
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Hi, the formula works great except in one case. If some of the names have only a first name in the column, and others have first and sirname, the columns with only one name will be expressed at 'no value'. Is there any way of the formula being able to distinguish between those with two and one names listed?
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I had some fields with no last name.You may want to trim for blanks (I didn't need to). Note column with original name is J3. =IF(ISERROR(LEFT(J3,FIND(" ",J3,1)-1)),J3,LEFT(J3,FIND(" ",J3,1)-1)) =IF(ISERROR(RIGHT(J3,LEN(J3)-FIND(" ",J3,1)))," ",RIGHT(J3,LEN(J3)-FIND(" ",J3,1)))
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This formula work for getting last name =MID(A2,LOOKUP(1,--((MID(A2,ROW(INDIRECT("1:" &LEN(A2))),1))=" "),ROW(INDIRECT("1:" &LEN(A2)))),50)
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This saved me hours of work. THANK YOU!!!
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I want to learn separate name from different columns lebels in a given range.
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plz tell me how to split first and last name if they are combined with any character other than letters. E.G.Avnesh.chaudhary vishal1mittal akash#sharma Prateek_bansal plz help me..plz
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insert more columns to your right. then concatenante using this function =CONCATENATE(C7," ",D7," ",E7) substitute where applicable to your cell. " " will bring a space in between the names.
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name:=LEFT(TRIM(A1);FIND(" ";TRIM(A1))) middlename:=IFERROR(LEFT(TRIM(MID(TRIM(A1),FIND(" ",TRIM(A1)),50)),FIND(" ",TRIM(MID(TRIM(A1),FIND(" ",TRIM(A1)),50)))),"No Middle Name") lastname:=RIGHT(TRIM(A1),LEN(TRIM(A1))-FIND(" ",TRIM(A1))-IFERROR(FIND(" ",TRIM(MID(TRIM(A1),FIND(" ",TRIM(A1)),20))),0))
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graet function but if there is two midlle names it will only show one please could u send one which will show all middle names i.e. even if there is 3 midlle names thanks [i have one wich shows first and midlle e.g. name: Paul James John Smith (to show all besides last name is : =LEFT(A1,LEN(A1)-FIND(" ",A1,1)+1)]
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(1).First name =TRIM(MID(SUBSTITUTE(A1," ",REPT(" ",LEN(A1))),1,LEN(A1))) (2).Mid Name =IFERROR(IFERROR(LEFT(TRIM(MID(SUBSTITUTE(A1," ",REPT(" ",LEN(A1))),LEN (A1),1000)),FIN D(" ",TRIM(MID(SUBS TITUTE(A1," ",REPT(" ",LEN(A1))),LEN (A1),1000)),1)- 1),RIGHT(A1,LEN (A1)-FIND(" ",A1,1))),A1) (2).Last name =IFERROR(RIGHT(RIGHT(A1,LEN(A1)-FIND(" ",A1,1)),LEN(RI GHT(A1,LEN(A1)- FIND(" ",A1,1)))-FIND( " ",RIGHT(A1,LEN( A1)-FIND(" ",A1,1)),1)),IF ERROR(IFERROR(L EFT(TRIM(MID(SU BSTITUTE(A1," ",REPT(" ",LEN(A1))),LEN (A1),1000)),FIN D(" ",TRIM(MID(SUBS TITUTE(A1," ",REPT(" ",LEN(A1))),LEN (A1),1000)),1)- 1),RIGHT(A1,LEN (A1)-FIND(" ",A1,1))),A1)) A1 is the cell address where your name is located.... Plz note that dont copy and past the above formula, because while copy and pasting it generates some "space" in-between formulas,,, thus it will throw error... so its better to type the above formula self as-it-is...
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I tried the formula above but my data has everything it has first name Last name, first name middle initial last name and first name with a space "Le Roy". your formula works except for those with a middle initial so the last name is showing up for those as K Smith. is there a simpler formula to drop the K" " and not remove the first letter of the other last names? The first name worked great. thanks a lot
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not working, i only need the split into First name and lastname
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Split of First and Last Name Alone Mike Joseph use Left & Find Formula to Extract First name =LEFT(A1,FIND(" ",A1)) To Extract Last Name use Right,len and Find Formula = =RIGHT(A1,LEN(A1)-FIND(" ",A1,1))
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This formula worked perfectly for me... Any advice on how to remove comas? ex. St.Louis, I need it to be St. Louis. Thank you.
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i want to split first name and last name ,but the problem is there is no comma,no space in between them. so is there any solution for it.do reply fast as it is urgent
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Very helpful. Thank you!
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